Bodybuilding legend Frank Zane turned 81 on June 28. Yesterday, the 81-year-old legend with three Mr. Olympia titles under his belt appeared on the YouTube channel Mr. American Heart for an exclusive interview. During their conversation, interviewer John Heart asked Zane about his journey to the top of the bodybuilding world. Zane narrated his incredible rise from a math teacher at school defeating bodybuilding legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

John Heart asked Zane various questions to piece together, how Zane became one of the few sub-200 lbs bodybuilders to win multiple Mr. Olympia titles. The man who Arnold Schwarzenegger once addressed in a mocking tone revealed how he won Mr. Olympia while on sabbatical. 

Why they called Frank Zane the Chemist

The interviewer said Frank Zane has built a legacy as the father of aesthetics. While the top bodybuilders of his time competed at around 240 lbs, Zane competed in the lightweight class. However, focusing on symmetry and proportions enabled him to beat bodybuilders who carried more muscle mass than him. “I had a very small structure and I could never be big,” said Zane.

However, the veteran focused on and amplified his strengths. When Arnold Schwarzenegger came to America in 1968, he competed in the Mr. Universe competition against Frank Zane. Arnie thought he would win, but couldn’t overcome the superior balance, proportions, and conditioning of Zane’s physique. “I just got beat by a chicken with 17-inch arms,” Arnie would later say.

The god of aesthetics also said he pursued bodybuilding while teaching mathematics at school. “I think it was 1964 to 65 I taught in Hamburg Pennsylvania… I taught in New Jersey I taught math and science then I taught for three years in Florida,” said Zane. After beating Schwarzenegger, Zane moved to California to train with the Austrian Oak at Gold’s Gym.

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Later, Zane took a sabbatical from his work to focus on his training and ended up winning his first Mr. Olympia title. While he never went back to teaching, the fact that he had a science degree and viewed bodybuilding with a very analytical lens earned him the nickname The Chemist. Interestingly, Zane also helped Arnie in his academic pursuit.

When Arnold Schwarzenegger needed a teacher

In a 2019 interview with Escape Fitness, Frank Zane revealed he helped none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger with math. The former Mr. Universe said Schwarzenegger had enrolled in Santa Monica City College and was struggling with algebra. “He was taking college algebra. He didn’t have a clue,” the three-time Mr. Olympia said. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger came to America data young age. Just like everything else, the Austrian wanted to earn a college degree in America. Hence, Schwarzenegger enrolled himself in college as well as competing and working in construction. However, he couldn’t do everything alone and enlisted Frank Zane to help him with math. The seven-time Mr. Olympia graduated from college in 1979.

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What did you think about Frank Zane’s incredible rise from a schoolteacher to a three-time Mr. Olympia? Let us know in the comments.