A 21-year-old Austrian-born Mr. Universe stepped into the USA, the land of opportunities in 1968. In less than two decades, the immigrant turned into a highly proclaimed international star. It is undoubtedly no usual feat. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a name that was first mocked for its complexity, is now synonymous with legend. 

Surrounded by criticism, negativity, and ridicule, the bodybuilder-turned-acting sensation proved them wrong with resounding success in every endeavor. In a 1986 interview with Terry Wogan, a renowned Irish broadcaster, the $450 million net worth, multi-talented supremo gave the audience a ‘Total Recall‘ of his journey. Turning his liabilities into assets he shared how his uniqueness erased and terminated the critical views about him.

Arnold Schwarzenegger embraced his originality

Wogan, the host asked the former bodybuilding champion why he didn’t change his name, Schwarzenegger. The Terminator star explained that everybody wanted him to change his name when he got into acting due to its tongue-twister-like nature. “Nobody could pronounce it,” he said. Besides, they called it anything, but Schwarzenegger. They had a problem with everything about him.

“Not just about the name. They say, you have a strange body; you have a strange accent; you have a strange name; forget it! You would never make any movies,” Schwarzenegger was critiqued. The 7 x Mr. Olympia explained, “a 50 somewhat inch chest, then to have a gorgeous face like this; it’s all very abnormal.” 

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Unfazed by the complexities of being on alien soil, the Austrian Oak survived unapologetic calamities of doubt and criticism. While it is natural for a person of such exceptional skills and charm to stand apart in a crowd, one can’t deny the incredible grit and self-confidence Schwarzenegger nurtured himself with.  

Schwarzenegger made his every weakness his biggest strength

Having shared a checklist of aspects about him that the industry experts deemed unfit for a career in Hollywood, he continued, “I kept all of those things. I still have a strange accent, a strange name and a strange body and I’m doing well with my movies.” 

Furthermore, he shared how the uniqueness of his name became a strong point. “People cannot forget the name because it took them a long time to remember,” he stated. Isn’t it a wonderful way of accepting oneself? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Watch this story: An unseen image of Arnold Schwarzenegger with his 2 stunt doubles