Arnold Schwarzenegger Essay, Research Paper
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Arnold Schwarzenegger was born on July 30,1947, in Thal,
Austria. His parents were Aurelia and Gustav Schwarzenegger, and
his older brother was Meinhard, who was liked better than Arnold
by his father. Arnold’s family believes he inherited his physique
from Karl Schwarzenegger, Arnold’s grandfather. Arnold’s father
was the head of the German military police during the war years in
Belgium. Gustav was legendary for his strict discipline toward
Arnold and Meinhard. For example, he would make Arnold eat every
meal with books pressed tightly under his arms to teach him to keep
his elbows to his side while he ate. His father would make Arnold
and Meinhard compete to see who the best was in boxing matches,
races, and studying. His father humiliated the loser with scornful
remarks. Each Sunday Arnold and Meinhard were permitted to choose
among hiking, visiting a farm, seeing a play, museum, or art show.
After their Sunday excursion, their father required them to write
a ten page essay describing their day, which he graded Monday
morning, and mistakes were not tolerated. Arnold could never win
his father’s praise, and at the age of thirteen he began dreaming
of becoming bigger and stronger than his father. Arnold would
sneak into movie theaters to watch Hercules with Steve Reeves and
Reg Park, who were bodybuilders. He would judge, and admire Reg
Park, promising himself that one day he would surpass him. Arnold
was determined that he wouldn’t be like other people, he wanted to
be powerful.
Arnold was Invited by Kurt Marnul, who was Mr. Austria, to
receive training at the Athletic Union Graz. Both of his parents
disapproved of Arnold, especially then because over a couple of
years Arnold grew larger and also created a life for himself.
Gustav was trying to diminish Arnold because he was surpassing him.
In 1966, Arnold won three German competitions: Mr. Europe, The
International Powerlifting Championship, and the Best Built Man of
Europe. Also in Europe, Arnold won his first ever Mr. Universe.
After this competition, Arnold was invited by Joe Weider to come
to the United States and compete in the National Bodybuilding
Association. Arnold felt that it was time to expand his career
further to prove that he was the best in the world, and so in 1968
he came to the United States. As a result of Joe Weider’s
training, and Arnold’s competitive nature, he went on to win Mr.
Universe a total five times. By 1970, at the age of 23, Arnold had
reached the premier status of bodybuilding. He won The Gold
Triangle (the three top competitive events in bodybuilding) which
consists of Mr. Universe, Mr. World, and Mr. Olympia. By 1980,
Arnold had accumulated seven Mr. Olympia crowns in a row. Arnold’s
success extends far beyond his titles, in that he earned
bodybuilding great respect, because then it was considered obscure,
and limited to homosexuals. Arnold recognized bodybuilding’s
limitations in that he couldn’t continue this occupation for the
rest of his life. As a result, Arnold set out to achieve his next
goal, which was Hollywood.
Arnold’s first film was Hercules In New York, in which his
lines were dubbed because he could not speak English very well.
From then on, Arnold’s acting career has been on the rise. He was
the main actor in such movies as Conan the Barbarian,
and. Not only has Arnold settled for acting, he is now
directing his own films.
In 1990, George Bush named Arnold as chairman of the
President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Arnold
appeared at many sports and fitness demonstrations around the
United States. Arnold would stress the importance of being
physically fit, and the importance that sports play in our lives.
Arnold Schwarzenegger can be described as the greatest and most
successful bodybuilder in history to a box office superstar.
Arnold is truly an example that proves if you want to do something
bad enough, you can achieve it. He overcame many obstacles to
achieve his goals in life, and did everything to the best of his
ability. Arnold Schwarzenegger can be considered a true role
model.