Arnold Schwarzenegger?started his competitive bodybuilding journey when he was 17. Soon after he started competing, Schwarzenegger met an Italian bodybuilder during a powerlifting/bodybuilding?contest in Stuttgart, Germany. While the two competitors were on-stage rivals, they became friends offstage. However, neither of them could’ve known that they would become one of the most iconic duos in bodybuilding.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu started working out together shortly after their meeting. They?propelled one another toward their dream?of conquering bodybuilding and succeeded. However, Schwarzenegger didn’t leave Franco Columbu behind in any of his ventures. He partnered with Columbu in his brick-laying business and helped Columbu star in his films. So when Columbu passed away in 2019, it changed Arnie forever.

Grief was a constant feeling for Arnold Schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger appeared on The Tim Ferriss Show. The 76-year-old fitness icon spoke about his life and recently released his book,?Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life. During the podcast, Tim Ferriss asked how the Hollywood icon has dealt with different emotions over the years, specifically grief. He spoke about the passing of Arnold’s best friend, Franco Columbu.?“Since we last spoke, you lost Franco, Franco Columbu, and I’m just wondering what that grief was like for you to experience?”?asked Tim Ferriss.

While Arnold Schwarzenegger has lost many of his mentors and friends, Franco Columbu’s loss was especially hard to cope with. While no one foresaw Columbu’s demise, Schwarzenegger could deal with the shock. However, he found it hard to deal with Columbu’s absence.?“To me, it’s not so much the shock as it is the ongoing missing a person. Because there’s certain friends that have become part of you,”?said the 76-year-old former Mr. Olympia.?“If they pass away… something dies in you,”?said Schwarzenegger. The bodybuilding icon used to spend a lot of time with two-time Mr. Olympia.

They used to play chess, travel, and workout at Gold’s Gym until Columbu’s sudden demise in 2019. For Schwarzenegger, those activities are a constant reminder of Columbu’s absence to this day. While Schwarzenegger has accepted the loss of his friend, the grief is still there. However, Schwarzenegger recently lost another friend from his bodybuilding days.

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The death of a bodybuilding pioneer

The Austrian Oak returned to competitive bodybuilding one last time in 1980. However, the year before his return, a female bodybuilder and fitness model was revolutionizing the sport. Lisa Lyon became the first woman to win the IFBB Women?s World Pro Bodybuilding Championship. While Lyon didn’t compete extensively, she continued to contribute to women’s bodybuilding.

The bodybuilding champion posed for various popular magazines, including Playboy. Her popularity made the masses aware of female bodybuilding and attracted attention to the sport. Unfortunately,?Lisa Lyon passed away last month?at 70 after a prolonged battle with stomach cancer.

In recent years, Schwarzenegger has lost many people who inspired and mentored him. Kiyoshi Yamazaki, Kurt Marnul, and more have passed away. However, Franco Columbu’s loss still affects Arnie.

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