Arnold is a well-known public figure and has played many roles ranging from elite bodybuilding to serving the state of California as governor for 8 years. He lives a very comfortable and lavish life ultimately because of his work ethic, reputable track record, and successful acting career playing many roles in big-hit movies. What has contributed to his success? Did he accomplish his American Dream? How does his dream compare to others?
Arnold’s Path to Success
Arnold, like many other immigrants’ path to success, was not an easy one. He grew up in a very rough household with a physically abusive father who would make him and his brother fight for his own amusement. This led to strong feelings of resentment towards his family which made him eager to leave the first chance he got.
Arnold was a huge advocate for the sport of bodybuilding. This is what he would do in his free-time and he knew that he wanted to pursue it professionally, just not in Austria. Shortly after his mandatory service for the Austrian Army, which was one year for all 18-year-old healthy males, he set out for America (Biography.com editors, 2023, par. 3). He was attracted to the many opportunities that America had to offer and even said, “I don’t blame people who try to come here (America) illegally,” and “as an immigrant, I know the magnetic power of America’s greatness” (Dukoff, 2019, par. 7). He arrived here with “empty pockets but full of dreams” (Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2018, 1:08).
Arnold’s tenacity is the factor that paved his way to success and his schedule after arriving to America was rigorous to say the least. He went to college, worked out 3 to 4 hours a day total, worked in construction full-time to make money which funded his bodybuilding, and attended acting classes from 8 PM to midnight four times a week (MulliganBrothers, 2019, 2:27). This remarkable work ethic slowly paid off landing him bodybuilding titles, acting roles, and recognition that allowed him to take governorship in the state of California and ascend the staircase to success. His favorite thing to tell people who asked about his success was, “work your butt off,” and “there is no magic pill to success, you need to have a dream with a plan to achieve it with no safety net” (MulliganBrothers, 2019, 10:49).
Several people do not know what they are truly capable of and there are many ways to accomplish one’s dream. This is a prime example of a man who was put at an extreme disadvantage when compared to most American citizens, with countless odds stacked against him, but did not let excuses get in his way to accomplish his American Dream.
Sources
Arnold Schwarzenegger. (September 16, 2018). 35 Years as a Citizen, 50 Years in America. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUYDTgc8G9U
Biography.com Editors. (June 5, 2023). Arnold Schwarzenegger. Retrieved from: https://www.biography.com/actors/arnold-schwarzenegger#early-years
Dukoff, S. (September 10, 2019). Arnold Schwarzenegger Celebrates the Work Ethic of Immigrants Coming to America. Men’s Health. Retrieved from: https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a28929476/arnold-schwarzenegger-immigration/
MulliganBrothers. (May 2, 2019). Arnold Schwarzenegger 2018 – The Speech that Broke the Internet – Most Inspiring Ever. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ktRTWMX3M