“My Body Doesn’t Look Like That Anymore”: Aged 75, Arnold Schwarzenegger Answers a Tough Question About His 7x Mr. Olympia-Winning Younger Self

The Terminator. A.K.A., Arnold Schwarzenegger, ‘is back’ to acting after a long break. After the success of his show FUBAR, Netflix confirmed a second season for the show. With his return and debut on the small screen, the 75-year-old has also done interviews with various media houses. In his latest interview with CNN reporter Chris Wallace, Schwarzenegger spoke about his prime, competing against the best bodybuilders in the world and winning seven Mr. Olympias titles.

Recently the 75-year-old Hollywood icon appeared on the CNN show Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace. During their conversation, Wallace asked the bodybuilding legend about his drive to win. Wallace recounted how Schwarzenegger won multiple Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe titles, after which he landed a role in the docu-drama Pumping Iron. The host then showed Arnie’s footage of his younger self from Pumping Iron and asked a loaded question.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was surprised

Wallace showed Schwarzenegger’s footage from Pumping Iron’s climax when he won his sixth Mr. Olympia title. “First of all, what do you think when you see that guy?” he asked the former champion. “Oh, that was a long time ago,” Schwarzenegger said, and both men laughed. For Schwarzenegger looking back at his Olympia-winning physique might be difficult.

While the five-time Me. Universe possessed one of the greatest physiques in bodybuilding history, he also scrutinized it constantly. Schwarzenegger would stand in front of the mirror and ask himself how he could win titles with his “s**t” body. The 75-year-old also had body image issues while growing old and felt like throwing up every time he looked at his aging body.

“My body doesn’t look like that anymore,” said the legendary bodybuilder. However, looking back, even Schwarzenegger feels surprised at how motivated and focused he was. “I am today, all these years later, amazed at my drive that I had,” he added. After winning seven Mr. Olympias and five Mr. Universe titles, Schwarzenegger wanted to move on.

Why did the bodybuilding legend switch to acting?

After finding immense success in bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger felt satisfied. During the interview, the 75-year-old said his goal was to become the greatest bodybuilder, and after dominating the sport, he felt contented. Instead of grounding himself in one career, Arnie took on the next challenge. Like his idol Reg Park, the Austrian Oak wanted to act.

Read More | “Everyone Must Think I’m a Loser”: 54 Years After Crying Inconsolably, Arnold Schwarzenegger Disseminates the Lesson He Learned That Day

So he began taking acting classes, polished his English, and starred in projects like Stay Hungry (1976), Pumping Iron (1977), and more. The bodybuilding icon had to struggle initially but in 1982 starred in his breakthrough film, Conan the Barbarian. However, it was The Terminator (1984) that made the Austrian a star.

While Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn’t have the physique of his youth, he still has the drive. Even at 75, the former champion did something new, by making his TV show debut.

Watch this story | “He Needs to Learn How to…”: After His Bodybuilding Announcement, IFBB pro Condemns Strongman Beast Eddie Hall’s Plans With a Stern Warning