- Schwarzenegger’s life and book
- Overcoming challenges, helping others
- Political aspirations and movie industry
On a dazzling London morning at eleven o’clock, Arnold Schwarzenegger possesses a keen understanding of human desires. He does not hesitate when I inquire whether the ongoing actors’ strike will necessitate my participation in composing his most renowned catchphrases.
Amid running machines and dumbbells, phrases from The Predator and The Terminator resound. “The actors’ strike forbids you to promote your films, but I don’t have to promote those,” he argues.
Schwarzenegger, 76, is not the sort to argue trade union fine print. Here, action heroism and industrial action converge.
We are seated on adjacent gym benches and have the entire space to ourselves. He enthusiastically exclaims, “Better gym than I had this morning at Claridge’s,” while subtly informing me that he has already exercised today.
Concerned, my cameraman, Peter, approaches Arnold Schwarzenegger, on whom he has written “Please confirm that I spelt your name correctly” on his clapperboard.
“Start your investing journey with a gift! Claim your free Webull shares.”
It takes even Arnold Schwarzenegger an exacting two seconds to double-check the spelling of his own name before he glances up and affirms, “Yes.”
Following one applause, the interview may commence.
I will be reading a book.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is currently in London to promote his new book, Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, which is finding unexpected support. Despite not being renowned for its admiration of Republican politicians.
Although less effusive, The Los Angeles Times stated, “The writing doesn’t pump much iron,” it did concede: “Did I exercise a bit more vigorously after reading the book? I bet.”
And that is precisely what Arnold hopes for with the book (“His security guard informed us prior to his arrival that he prefers Arnold to Arnie”).
Work Your Ass Off, Never Think Small, Shut Your Mouth, and Open Your Mind are among the seven chapters.
“The idea behind it is just for people to become more successful,” he explains.
“Becoming a motivational speaker or authoring motivational books were not in my wildest dreams when I was a child; all I wanted was to be the most muscular man in the world,” the seven-time Mr Olympia and four-time Mr Universe champion says, adding, “And to get into movies and make millions of dollars.”
However, after twenty years of commercial successes (e.g., Conan the Barbarian, Twins, and True Lies), the situation shifted.
Suddenly, he was filled with “new dreams” and “new goals” and realised: “People were desperately seeking my counsel on how to be motivated.” They expressed admiration for my achievements, which prompted me to recognise a potential gap and necessity. Thus, this book was born.
I inquire whether self-help is a derogatory term, and his response exposes what he considers to be a prevalent misunderstanding concerning himself: “We require assistance from the outside as well as self-help. I abhor it whenever someone says, “You epitomise what it means to be a self-made man.”
He reiterates, “I abhor that,” this time with a bit more conviction.
“I do not wish for anyone to believe they are capable of accomplishing the task independently. “We all require assistance.”
A lengthy, long list of individuals, without whose inspiration and assistance Schwarzenegger claims he could not have accomplished this, follows. Reg Park, a bodybuilder from Leeds who appeared in Hercules films in the 1960s, is one of them. “5.8 million people voted for me” refers to the individual in question during his two mandates as the Republican governor of California.
“I explain in the book that we should all reach out for help and as soon as you have realised that, then you also recognise the fact that you have also got to help other people.”
Schwarzenegger has devoted the last thirty years to assisting others, as evidenced by his participation in the Special Olympics, his donation of $1 million (£800,000) to front-line responders during the pandemic, and his recent hosting of an Oktoberfest poker-themed dinner party that raised $7 million (£5.8 million) for his after-school clubs programme. The wearers wore lederhosen.
However, Schwarzenegger is eager for individuals to understand that he has also encountered significant adversity.
“There were tremendous losses and tremendous defeats,” he continues, going on to describe films that failed miserably at the box office and bodybuilding competitions in which he was defeated. His nomination for worst actor for his performance as Mr. Freeze in Batman and Robin represented a career low point.
“And there have even been personal losses, such as my marriage,” he continues, demonstrating an improbable willingness to be vulnerable given that he murdered 77 individuals in a single scenario during the climax of Commando.
Procreating with the nanny caused his breakup from Maria Shriver, John F. Kennedy’s niece. Kennedy, are omitted in Be Useful. All of this was addressed in his 2012 autobiography, Total Recall. In contrast, it describes how he recovered from “his world collapsing around him” in the book’s introduction.
“You must accept responsibility for those errors.” You cannot place the responsibility on another individual. Accept accountability. Accept responsibility for your errors and grow as a result; then return to the world a better person.”
Despite his many accomplishments, Arnold Schwarzenegger will never attain the position of president of the United States.
According to the United States Constitution, the incumbent of that office must be a natural-born citizen. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born and raised in Thal, Austria, until the age of nineteen.
I inquire about his level of irritation regarding his disqualification.
“I am confident that I could make an excellent president,” he declares without a trace of self-doubt, before continuing. “However, I also believe that America is responsible for everything I’ve accomplished thus far.”
“America afforded me numerous opportunities, and the American people welcomed me with open arms. They truly welcomed me with open arms.” No one in the vicinity obstructed my path to success.
“So the only thing that I can’t do, which is run for president, I’m not going to complain about that.”
It is evident that he has not entirely abandoned his aspiration to attain the highest office in the nation at some point in time: “All right, there is the Constitution. Undoubtedly, immigration reform is required to rectify the situation. however, it would be somewhat self-centered of me to attempt to alter the law.”
He is not excited about a Joe Biden-Donald Trump presidential campaign next year. “I just hope that America finds some really young blood,” he continues.
“Because to me, it is a little bit odd that we are having a battle between people today in the late seventies and early eighties rather than people that in the forties and fifties or maybe even younger and have them have a chance at this great, great job.”
He is a Barbie child.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s enthusiasm for undisclosed film projects shows his love of the industry.
He recently watched the “brilliantly made” film Barbie at the theatre. I suggest that had the film been set in the 1980s, he might have been considered for the role of Ken. “It contains a good character,” he concurs enthusiastically.
I also wonder why the A-lister who could launch a picture on their own has disappeared. Consider 1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Bruce Willis.
“I hope my son-in-law Chris Pratt doesn’t hear that,” he chuckles, considering that the star of The Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World films is now wed to his daughter Katherine.
Nevertheless, he concurs and states, “You are correct.” “The stars that are currently being cultivated are significantly more influenced by the franchise’s name.” They achieved fame as a result of portraying Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman, as opposed to bearing the film themselves.
Every 10, 20 years, everything changes in the entertainment industry,” according to him.
If anyone knows, Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves for a Royal Albert Hall “Evening with” performance after saying goodbye. He knows the capacity audience’s expectations because the venue is full.
