Arnold Schwarzenegger’s journey is nothing less than the personification of the American dream. His rise is no less meteoric than that of Conan the Barbarian, who goes through trials and tribulations to become a hero from a slave. However, after the Arnold Classic UK 2024, Arnold Schwarzenegger reiterated how just like Conan, he also needed help to succeed.

“You’ve heard me say that I’m not self-made,” wrote Arnold Schwarzenegger in an Instagram post. Over the decades, whenever someone has credited Arnie for being solely responsible for his own success, the seven-time Mr. Olympia has pushed back. “Maybe I haven’t been clear enough that I owe my success to my own community,” Schwarzenegger added in his post.

In the post, Arnie wrote about his gratitude for the bodybuilding and fitness community in his newsletter. The 76-year-old fitness icon directed everyone to his “positive corner of the internet,” where he shares his thoughts with his “village” members. In his Monday Motivation section, Arnie explained how his community helped in his formative years.

“Joining the weightlifting team in Graz when I was 15,” the bodybuilding icon shed light upon a major moment. Although he joined the club as an extracurricular activity, the members and mentors he met along that way became like family. The weightlifting club members didn’t just train together but also spent time with a larger community of strength sports enthusiasts.

Spending time with them helped Arnie connect with mentors who didn’t just exercise their bodies but also their minds. “That community created a new world for me,” wrote Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was a world away from the struggles at home, but one that also taught him the values of dreams and ambitions. So, the Austrian Oak built a community wherever he went.

After leaving Thal, Austria, he formed a community at his Berlin gym. In America, Arnold Schwarzenegger became part of the bodybuilding community in the world at Gold’s Gym. From pushing one another at the gym to helping Arnold get a taste of the first American Christmas, the community uplifted and helped the bodybuilder become a champion. This is why the Arnold Classic exists.

Arnold Schwarzenegger wants others to have a platform

“It’s why I’m still obsessed with connecting and bringing people together 60 years later,” wrote the bodybuilding icon. Arnold Schwarzenegger found success through the lessons he learned from mentors and fellow athletes, actors, and politicians. So the 76-year-old co-founded the Arnold Sports Festival. A place where the entire fitness community can come together for celebration and growth.

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While the Arnold Classic has become the main attraction, the festival has a home for nearly all strength sports. The annual expo has it all, from Strongman, CrossFit, Women’s bodybuilding, MMA, and even Medieval Fighting. The bodybuilding icon has created a platform where people can find a community that supports them through victory and failure hoping that just like he credits his success to his community, others will too. 

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