“Standing With Nelson Mandela in His Old Jail Cell”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Makes an Unheard Confession About Meeting Influential World Leaders

On Monday, Arnold Schwarzenegger released the latest edition of his newsletter. Every week, the bodybuilding icon gives his readers some “Monday Motivation,” to help them power through the week. This week the seven-time Mr. Olympia wrote about how his indomitable curiosity and urge to gain knowledge drastically altered the trajectory of his life.

While the Austrian might seem the man who overcame every challenge on his own, nothing could be further from reality. “My life has been an almost unbelievable series of mentors, idols, and advisors,” Arnie informed his readers. He then described how meeting influential world leaders shaped his perspective.

The leaders who had an impact on Arnold Schwarzenegger

The bodybuilding icon wrote about three leaders who gave some invaluable advice. Arnie revealed, “my curiosity and my hunger served me well. It brought me into insane positions I never imagined.”

In Arnold’s Pump Club, Schwarzenegger recounted “standing with Nelson Mandela in his old jail cell in South Africa.” The former Governor of California asked how the renowned leader “forgave his oppressors.” He also recalled traveling to Moscow. Schwarzenegger revealed he met Mikhael Gorbachev. He asked, “how he (Gorbachev) got to the top of the Soviet system, and then had the courage to admit it needed to be dismantled.”

Lastly, he mentioned meeting President George H.W. Bush at Camp David. The former Mr. Olympia asked Bush, “how he brought people together from all walks of life to work together.” The bodybuilding icon also revealed he met other world leaders and Popes, learning something from each great personality.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t limit himself to learning from mentors and influential people. In fact, the bodybuilder tried to learn something from anyone he came across.

Everyone has something to offer

In his newsletter, the Hollywood icon revealed he’d sit with different crew members during lunch to learn about their jobs. The Terminator actor wrote that he wanted to know about people. “It’s fascinating, and a lot of the things that people just take for granted are worth learning about,” Arnie told his readers.

The bodybuilding icon also learned from his rivals. During his competitive bodybuilding career, the Austrian Oak took maths tuition from Frank Zane. While Zane had defeated Schwarzenegger during the 1979 Mr. Universe, Schwarzenegger befriended him. In exchange for some training advice, Schwarzenegger learned from Zane. 

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Despite being born into poverty, Schwarzenegger’s indomitable hunger to rise above mediocrity fueled his ambitions. Now 75, Arnie wants to inspire others to chase their dreams.