Born In Austria But Made In America!
They believe that while ability may be innate, it requires a lot of work to develop. It’s also true, right? You’ve probably also heard the adage ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’.
Overall, it all boils down to how hard you work.
One person who exemplifies hard work to the fullest is Arnold Schwarzenegger, a.k.a. our very own Pumping Iron.
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We’re all aware of how the guy has dealt with fame, love, and controversy, but one thing is certain: he worked tirelessly to achieve his objective, or as he puts it, his mission.
Recently, the actor, politician, and bodybuilder revealed his life story in a docuseries, and trust me when I say that it’s definitely everything you want to see for inspiration and an adrenaline rush.
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It perfectly captures Arnold’s life, from his early years to the present, which was full of trauma, love, battles, box office success, steroids, cigars, and most importantly, his vision.
So without wasting much time, let’s hop on to life lessons with Arnold.
1. What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger
Schwarzenegger did not get all of this fame without any effort. He experienced so much suffering as a child that he ultimately developed the ability to tolerate it all. His father was a tyrant, as he claims in the docuseries. Arnold used to worry that his father could be unjust to his mother since he would hit him and his brother with a belt, come home drunk, and rant at three in the morning. The majority of Schwarzenegger’s boyhood was occupied with all of this and the fight to live in Austria.
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2. Moving Forward Is the Only Way To Go
After growing up in a small village in Austria, he relocated to the town, where he discovered his calling. Arnold was struggling at home, but he understood the value of leaving his imprint. He was inspired the moment he saw Reg Park, also known as Hercules, while out and about in the city. Here’s how Schwarzenegger’s journey towards bodybuilding began, and how, at the peak of his adolescence, he developed into the well-known bodybuilder we know now. By 19, Schwarzenegger was already Mr. Europe.
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3. Hard Work Can Not Be Skipped
Arnold’s core motto has always been hard work, therefore this isn’t about a single incident. Although it’s likely that ability is something you are born with, he thinks that in order to be the greatest at something, you need to work hard and stay occupied. One thing remained constant throughout his career, from his bodybuilding days to his entry into politics: he worked on himself, nonstop.
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4. Have Faith In Yourself And Everything Shall Fall In Place
Schwarzenegger had periods of unemployment and a lack of performing roles. But his confidence in himself is what made him the person he is today. He pursued bodybuilding as a goal. He always aspired to be a star instead of simply another actor, and he achieved his ambition by working diligently while having faith in himself.
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5. Pick Yourself Back Up, No Matter What!
Schwarzenegger had his lowest point after becoming famous for roles in Pumping Iron, The Terminator, and other films. He underwent two cardiac operations, one right after the other, which could have been fatal. He recalls that his mother passed away from the same illness he had, just a few days after he had recovered, when she was visiting his father’s grave. Arnold lost his brother in a vehicle accident a few years before his father passed away.
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After dealing with physical challenges, the death of his mother, and a year of inactivity, Arnold’s life took a turn and he began to work with the special Olympics team. Which to him was like giving back to the land, i.e. America, a place that made him a millionaire. So after a bad phase, he pulled himself back up and then there was no looking back!
6. Quitting Is Never An Option
During a moment in the documentary, we can hear the interviewer inquire, “Despite so many stumbles and problems why did he not quit?” And without batting an eye, Arnold quickly said, “because quitting is not in my vision,” and that hit hard like a rock.
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7. Never Let Them Know Your Next Move
The great discussion following Terminator 3 was whether Schwarzenegger might run for Governor of California. He kept his choice a secret even though, deep down, he could see himself rising to leadership roles the more he considered California’s situation in 2002. He announced that he would make his choice while filming The Tonight Show. While everyone, including the host, thought he would say no, he said yes, and the rest is history.
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What the docu-series does for the audience?
Whether or not you are an Arnold fan, the documentary series serves as a reminder to everyone that life is not always simple and that even when it seems like everything is going well for someone else, that individual is also going through their own struggles. The docuseries also has an emotional undertone since, in addition to showing us footage of young Arnold gaining renown, we also see Arnold as an old man still enjoying a king-sized existence.
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The beautifully seamless connection between the three episodes was another aspect that I particularly enjoyed. The first episode ends with a little old footage of him saying he wants to be a star, and it then cuts to the following episode, which is all about his acting career. The second episode ends with another old clip when he considers entering politics, and the final episode does indeed focus on his path down the political road.
Final verdict
Not just entertainment, Arnold will teach and remind you of a myriad of topics that you probably need to remember right now. The actor tells his own tale candidly, making it entertaining to watch in addition to being all very insightful.
You can’t get enough of watching it because of the assortment of vintage pictures, videos, news stories, and recollections from stars like Sylvester Stallone and James Cameron, among others. The producers did a good job of keeping it to just three episodes and segmenting each with a significant aspect of his life.
In the end, as Arnold says, ‘It’s a new day, let’s just move forward’. And just like him, I’ll be back!
(To read more such stories related to movies and shows released on OTTs, keep reading universo virtual BINGE)