Years go by as the Mr. Olympia contest produces iconic winners. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Phil Heath, Ronnie Coleman, and many more took the stage to display their enormous bodies. They showcased what men could achieve in terms of fitness and have chiseled bodies when they hit the gym at full throttle. Arnold, especially, is one person who propelled his career to greater heights. And most of the credit goes to Joe Weider.

A man who fears none, Weider became a revolutionary figure in bodybuilding because of his impact on the competition. He created the platform for bodybuilders to take their careers to the next level. In an early interview, Arnold discussed how Weider inspired him to elevate his career. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger respects the Godfather

Coming from humble beginnings, Arnold strived to become the best in whatever he did. He left his hometown in Austria in search of greener pastures. Getting to America remained the end goal, and personalities like Weider helped him. During the shooting of Red Heat, he discussed Joe’s temperament and how he represented himself to the outside world. 

“He can argue up and down and scream and get very emotional. But the fact of the matter is, he has helped millions of people. When I was in the Soviet Union shooting ‘Red Heat,’ people were asking in Red Square about Joe Weider,” mentioned Schwarzenegger. Mentoring a young Arnold throughout his career, Weider played a significant role in helping him to land on his feet. 

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He discovered Arnold in a bodybuilding contest when he was 22. Like a father, he brought Arnold to America while sheltering him in Santa Monica. In addition, he gave him a car, a $100 weekly allowance, and, smashing photos of him on the covers of magazines, Arnold was born!

Influence on Lou Ferrigno

Not only that, he assisted famous bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno in his career. Creating an empire, Weider co-founded the International Federation of Bodybuilders and published exceptional health and fitness magazines. His leading magazine, Muscle & Fitness, surpassed over 600,000 monthly circulations and launched various editions globally.

Ever since he laid his eyes on Arnold, the aura was there for him to witness. Weider wanted to build champions. Take bodybuilding to the next level. The presence of Arnold in the forefront enabled him to accomplish his mission. To sum up, these two gentlemen contributed to the success story of the sport. Their greatness is unparalleled and probably paved the way for new-age bodybuilders to showcase their talents. 

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