Interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger

Rich Roll's latest podcast offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a man often seen as larger than life: Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hosted graciously in Arnold's "office slash Museum of spectacular artifacts," this conversation delves beyond the movie roles and political speeches, revealing the nuanced principles that have guided his stratospheric success across bodybuilding, Hollywood, and the Statehouse, culminating in a surprising fourth act defined by service.

The Grounded Giant: Ambition Tempered by Reality

In a career marked by unparalleled achievements, one might expect an ego to match. Yet, Arnold Schwarzenegger offers a strikingly humble perspective, especially given Rich Roll's observation that he embodies "an iconic generational emblem or example of the American dream." Despite his public persona of bravado, Arnold confesses to never truly feeling like he "arrived." He explains, "I mean in reality, I feel like when I work for instance in the movie I really don't feel like it's any different than being a plumber and I go to work." This surprising honesty extends to his days as Mr. Olympia, where he recalls looking in the mirror and seeing "so many flaws." It's a testament to a unique ability to project immense confidence while privately maintaining a rigorous self-critique. His vulnerability stands in stark contrast to the mythologized invincibility of other icons like Muhammad Ali, whom Arnold notes "had his own moments of reality because he lost."

Key Insights:

• Relatability in Simplicity: He views his work, whether acting or governing, as fundamentally no different from an ordinary job, fostering a connection with people.
• The Power of Self-Criticism: A constant awareness of imperfections, even at the pinnacle of success, fuels continuous improvement rather than complacency.
• Authentic Vulnerability: Acknowledging personal insecurities and flaws humanizes his iconic status, making his message more resonant.

The Anti-Victimhood Ethos: Embracing Hardship as a Catalyst

Arnold’s new book, Be Useful, champions a philosophy starkly at odds with contemporary "victimhood culture." He believes in a rigorous approach to self-improvement, asserting that pampering and softness lead nowhere. "We need to get stronger, we need to get tougher, we have to be willing to go through hardship through suffering through pain," he passionately declares. This philosophy isn't just theoretical; it’s deeply ingrained from his upbringing, where he chose to see challenging circumstances, including an abusive father, not as pain points but as formative experiences for which he feels "not one ounce of negative thinking." He illustrates this "tough love" with anecdotes from raising his own children, like burning shoes left repeatedly by the fireplace or making them ski despite initial tears, resulting in resilient adults who appreciate the lessons.

Key Learnings:

• Adversity Breeds Character: Hardship, suffering, and pain are not to be avoided but embraced as opportunities for personal growth and strength.
• Rejecting Victimhood: Empowering individuals to take responsibility for their lives and actively work on themselves rather than indulging in powerlessness.
• Discipline as Love: Imposing structure and accountability, even when difficult, can foster resilience and capability in the long run, as evidenced by his parenting.

From Self-Pursuit to Selfless Service: The Fourth Act

Rich Roll eloquently reframes Arnold's "three acts" as an "evolution" toward service, a journey from "me to we." Arnold readily agrees, explaining that while initially, "you don't have much to give back," building oneself becomes a prerequisite for larger impact. His involvement with Special Olympics, initially a request for a bodybuilding authority, unexpectedly launched him into promoting equal opportunities for intellectually challenged children. This commitment expanded through his role with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and ultimately inspired his political career. He recalls his late father-in-law, Sergeant Shriver, urging students to "break that mirror that you always look at... and you will be able to look beyond that mirror and to see the millions of people that need your help." For Arnold, giving back became an "addictive personality" trait, making him feel "so rich and so good about myself that I was able to have this impact."

Key Changes:

• Leveraging Influence for Good: Transforming personal success platforms (bodybuilding, movies) into tools for broader social impact, initially through Special Olympics.
• Addiction to Service: Discovering profound personal fulfillment and "richness" in the act of giving back and making a positive difference in others' lives.
• Breaking the Mirror: Shifting from self-focused ambition to a wider perspective that prioritizes the needs of the community and society.

The Curious Leader: A Lifelong Learner in a World of Solutions

Arnold’s approach to leadership and problem-solving is rooted in an insatiable curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning. He attributes this mindset to his sports background, where "open-mindedness was very important to me" to learn from others and avoid stagnation. He recounts a pivotal moment with gym owner Vince Gironda, who taught him a seemingly "Mickey Mouse" triceps exercise that dramatically improved his physique, underscoring the importance of trying things "before we kind of like come to the conclusion." This same inquisitive spirit defined his governorship of California. Initially perceived as an action star ill-suited for policy, Arnold found Sacramento to be "the greatest university for me," fascinated by issues like patient-nurse ratios and prison overcrowding. He approached all issues, from healthcare reform to education, with an open mind, listening to both sides, and seeking a "sweet spot" of consensus rather than villainizing opponents.

Key Practices:

• The World as a Classroom: Actively seeking out diverse opinions and facts, treating every encounter and policy challenge as an opportunity to learn.
• Experimentation Over Prejudgment: Being willing to "try it" and set aside initial biases, even when an idea seems unconventional, to discover new solutions.
• Consensus Building: Approaching political opponents not as enemies but as partners, fostering collaboration to identify mutually beneficial solutions for complex problems.

"to be better because when you're better when you get better then you feel good when we improve we feel good when we have accomplished something we feel good and that then rubs off on everything" - Arnold Schwarzenegger