The world’s greatest bodybuilder. A leading Hollywood movie star. Governor of California. Any one of these titles alone would be enough to define a life. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made each of them a reality, one by one. But what makes this man truly fascinating isn’t the number of his successes.It lies in the fact that every time he fulfilled a dream, he didn’t rest on his laurels—he envisioned an even greater future. From a small town in Austria to the United States. From the world of bodybuilding to the movies. And from the silver screen to politics. As he grew older, the nature of his dreams also changed. He began to think not only about who he would become, but also about how to give back to society what he had gained.
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The Roadmap for Life He Had Envisioned Since BoyhoodThe World’s Best Physique. Beyond That, He Saw Movies and America
Born in Thal, Austria, in 1947, Schwarzenegger became deeply immersed in weight training as a teenager.A major turning point came when he met British bodybuilder Reg Park. Schwarzenegger had seen Park in a magazine; Park had reached the pinnacle of the sport as “Mr. Universe” and, using his physique as his weapon, had gone on to star in the “Hercules” film series.Years later, Schwarzenegger reflected that Park’s example served as a “road map” showing him the path he should take: become a bodybuilding champion, move to the United States, and become a movie star. Even as a boy still living in Austria, he could already envision that future. [1]
According to Schwarzenegger himself, he had the ability from childhood to vividly envision the future he wanted to achieve. It wasn’t just about dreaming. To get closer to that vision, even training for hours a day was no hardship. He won Mr. Universe at age 20 and moved to the United States in 1968.Starting in 1970, he won six consecutive Mr. Olympia titles, claiming the championship a total of seven times, including his comeback victory in 1980. [1][2] His initial dream of becoming the world’s greatest bodybuilder had largely come true by the time he was in his twenties.
Under normal circumstances, he could have continued living as a champion from that point on.However, for Schwarzenegger, bodybuilding was not the ultimate fulfillment in life. That’s because the landscape he had been looking at since his boyhood held something beyond it.
Using the Body and Accent That Were Said to ‘Not Suit an Actor’ as His WeaponsLeaving the Place Where He Became the World’s Best, He Became a Beginner Again
Even Schwarzenegger, who had become a household name in the world of bodybuilding, was a newcomer when he went to Hollywood.Moreover, he was an anomaly compared to the typical image of an actor at the time. His body was too large, he had a strong Austrian accent, and his last name was long and difficult to pronounce. Agents viewed these as disadvantages for becoming a movie star. [2]
Nevertheless, he never gave up on his dream of becoming an actor because of those characteristics. While studying acting and English, he searched for roles where his unique traits would shine.He made a strong impression in the 1982 film ‘Conan the Barbarian’ and appeared in James Cameron’s ‘The Terminator’ in 1984. In the role of an emotionless killing machine, both his massive physique and his distinctive accent transformed into a presence that no other actor could replicate.He went on to star in a string of hits, including ‘Commando’, ‘Predator’, ‘Twins’, and ‘Total Recall’, and by the time ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ was released in 1991, he had established himself as a global movie star. [2]
What’s interesting is that Schwarzenegger didn’t simply think, “It would be nice to be in a movie,” even before he became successful. At the 2009 University of Southern California commencement ceremony, he stated that he aimed to be “number one” in both bodybuilding and film. [3] After becoming the world’s number one bodybuilder, the man chose not to live off his past achievements alone, but to enter a world where he would have to climb his way up from the very bottom once again.
Even after fulfilling his first dream, the roadmap he had drawn up as a boy was still a work in progress. He brought his sculpted physique to the movies and used the fame he gained from film to propel himself toward his next challenge.Rather than displaying his past successes as medals of honor, he transformed them into a springboard to move forward.
Entering Politics to Give Back to CaliforniaMy Next Dream Wasn’t About My Own Success
After fulfilling his dreams in bodybuilding and film, Schwarzenegger headed in an even more unexpected direction.In 2003, he ran as a candidate to replace California Governor Gray Davis in the recall election.
In his first election campaign as a politician, he faced a baptism by fire unlike anything he had experienced on a movie set.In September of that year, while on his way to give a speech at California State University, Long Beach, an egg thrown from the crowd struck him squarely on the left shoulder. Undeterred, he did not stop walking; instead, he took off his stained jacket and proceeded directly to the podium.Later, he joked in response, “The guy who threw it should send me some bacon next time.” [15]
He repeatedly spoke about his reasons for entering politics during the campaign.When he came to California in 1968, all he had was a “big dream.” There, he achieved a career in film, amassed wealth, and built a life with his family. That’s why he now wants to give something back to California.In a speech in September 2003, after having achieved many of the ambitious goals he had set for himself up to that point, he described his goal of becoming governor as “something a little bigger than myself.” [4]
In the recall election held on October 7 of that year, Governor Davis was removed from office with 55.4% of the vote in favor. In the subsequent election for his successor, Schwarzenegger received 48.6% of the vote and became the 38th Governor of California. [5] At a press conference the day after his election, he remarked that ever since he arrived as an immigrant in 1968, California had provided him with endless opportunities and had been “the place where dreams come true.” [6]
Here, Schwarzenegger’s dream had taken on a different nature. In bodybuilding, his goal was to become the best in the world.In movies, it was to become a global star. But in politics, the goal shifted from what he could gain to how he would use what he had already achieved.
A New Strategy Following the 2005 DefeatIn Politics, the Rules of Success for a Star Didn’t Apply
However, his seven years as a politician cannot be summed up as a “success story” in the same vein as his bodybuilding or film careers.In 2005, Schwarzenegger’s conflicts with the state legislature and labor unions deepened, and all four of the state ballot measures he championed were rejected. His strategy of using his star power and momentum to drive political change did not work with either voters or the legislature.The following year, the Los Angeles Times analyzed that this defeat shattered the notion that “anything goes if you’re a celebrity” and forced him to confront the necessity of collaborating with others within the political system. [7]
From that point on, he changed his political approach. He strengthened his cooperation with the Democratic-majority state legislature and, in 2006, signed the “Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006”—commonly known as AB 32—which mandated that greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. [8] In that year’s gubernatorial election, he was re-elected with 55.9% of the vote. [9] It is different from bodybuilding, where effort yields results, or from the film industry, where polishing one’s marketability opens doors. In politics, he learned that one cannot make dreams come true through one’s own strength alone.
Nor were his achievements the only thing that remained.In particular, regarding fiscal management, he himself has admitted to failures. In an interview just before leaving office, he reflected that his decision early in his term to borrow approximately $15 billion to address accumulated fiscal problems was “a mistake.” While he left behind achievements such as environmental policies and workers’ compensation reform, he was unable to fulfill his major campaign promise of eliminating the budget deficit. [10] A December 2010 survey by the Public Policy Institute of California also showed that 32% of voters approved of his performance as governor, while 61% disapproved. [11]
Nevertheless, this setback is an indispensable part of understanding Schwarzenegger’s life.A man who had turned his dreams into reality time and again entered a world where his own strength alone was not enough—and he lost. What he chose afterward was not to flee from politics itself, but to change his approach. When pursuing even greater dreams, there are moments when one’s past successes no longer apply. Not clinging to past winning strategies at such times was also part of his repeated mantra of “moving forward.”
The Life Rule Ultimately Adopted by the Man Who Aimed to Be the Best in the WorldThe Answer He Found Beyond Success: ‘Be of Service’
In 2009, at the University of Southern California’s commencement ceremony, Schwarzenegger shared with the students the “Six Rules for Success” he had derived from his own experiences.Believe in yourself. Break the rules. Don’t be afraid to fail. Ignore the naysayers. Work relentlessly. And the last rule he listed was “Give back.” Success means nothing if it’s only for yourself.His message is to give something back to society, the community, and the nation. [3]
Even after leaving office as governor, he has continued to uphold this philosophy.In 2012, he established the “USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy” with the University of Southern California, where he worked on bipartisan policy-making, the environment, and education. [12] In 2017, at the University of Houston’s commencement ceremony, he asked that people not refer to him as a “self-made man.” He explained that he did not get to where he is on his own, but rather received help from many people—including his family, teachers, training partners, people in the film industry, and the United States as a nation. Therefore, he believes he has a responsibility to help others as well. [13]
The title of his 2023 book, *Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life*, also derives from the phrase “Be useful, Arnold,” which his father repeatedly told him. [14] The man who built the world’s greatest physique, became a movie star, and even served as a governor chose as his motto for the latter half of his life not “Be more successful,” but “Be useful.”
A Book to Get to Know This Man Better, Part 1: 'The Man Himself Reflects on His Life, from His Boyhood to Bodybuilding, Movies, and Politics'*Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story*
An autobiography in which Schwarzenegger himself looks back on his childhood in Austria, his bodybuilding career, his move to the United States, his time in Hollywood, and his tenure as Governor of California. The philosophy that serves as the core of this article—“Envision the future first, then structure your life to achieve it”—is discussed in detail from his own perspective.Published in 2012 by Simon & Schuster. English edition.
Click here for details and purchase
A Book to Get to Know This Man Better (2) ‘Seven Life Philosophies Discovered Beyond Success’”’Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life’
A book by Schwarzenegger published in 2023.It compiles the seven principles that have guided his life: having a clear vision, thinking big, working tirelessly, adapting to changing circumstances, and giving back to others. This book is ideal for those who want to delve deeper into the philosophy described in this article—“Every time you achieve a dream, set an even bigger one”—through his own words. English edition.
Click here for details and purchase
References
[1] CNN, “Piers Morgan Tonight: Arnold Schwarzenegger Interview,” October 2, 2012,
[2] Los Angeles Times, “REAL HOLLYWOOD MUSCLE: No Star Makes More Money, Wields More Power or Has More Fun,” August 4, 1991,
[3] University of Southern California, “Hearing from the Governator,” May 15, 2009,
[4] CNN, “California Recall Campaign,” September 24, 2003,
[5] California Secretary of State, “October 7, 2003 Special Statewide Election Statement of Vote,”
[6] CNN, “Arnold Schwarzenegger Holds First Press Conference as Governor-Elect of California,” October 8, 2003,
[7] Los Angeles Times, “From the Ashes of 2005 Defeat, Gov. Rises to New Role,” November 8, 2006,
[8] California Legislature, “Assembly Bill No. 32: California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006,”
[9] California Secretary of State, “November 7, 2006 General Election Statement of Vote,”
[10] Los Angeles Times, “Schwarzenegger looks back on his seven years in Sacramento,” January 1, 2011
[11] Public Policy Institute of California, “PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government,” December 2010
[12] USC Today, “USC, Schwarzenegger establish institute focused on state and global policy” August 2, 2012
[13] Arnold Schwarzenegger Official Website “Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2017 University of Houston Commencement Address”
[14] Arnold Schwarzenegger Official Website “Be Useful. Seven Tools for Life.” April 18, 2023
[15] Associated Press / CBS News “Arnold Egged; Davis Vows a Fight” September 4, 2003
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