Arnold Schwarzenegger recently credited Reg Park for his transition from soccer to bodybuilding greatness. Speaking on the Theo Von podcast, Schwarzenegger detailed how Park's Hercules films sparked his vision. The Austrian Oak began visualizing himself as a champion after seeing Park's 1951 trophy photo.

Growing up in a low-income family in rural Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger had very little chance of becoming successful. Even his father wanted him to join the military, become a police officer, or play soccer.

However, the Austrian Oak had a completely different dream. He always wanted to become rich and enjoy all the comforts he had missed in his childhood.

Growing up with that dream, he one day met his vision. It was a magazine featuring Mr. Universe Reg Park on the cover, starring in Hercules. From there, his journey into bodybuilding began, which Schwarzenegger discussed during his appearance on the Theo Von podcast on June 5, 2025.

The 7-time Mr. Olympia said, “My heroes like Reg Park and Steve Reeves, they were doing Hercules movies, and I just started looking at those movies, right? And so I said to myself, I want to be like that. I don't want to be a top soccer player.

I want to be like that. I want to have the muscles like that, and I want to get into movies like that, you know. So that all of a sudden became my dream”.

Young Schwarzenegger also started visualizing his face on Reg Park’s body.

He also added, “There was a famous picture where he won the Mr. Universe contest in London in 1951. And when I saw that picture, it was like him holding the trophy and flexing his bicep.

And then I said to myself, "Can you imagine if this is me? I'm going to make this me. And so that's what I was training for.”

Schwarzenegger not only drew motivation from Reg Park but also began working hard on his body. Despite being questioned by his family and neighbors, he remained steadfast in his dream.

The legend of bodybuilding revealed that during that time, he used to train at the kitchen table, doing 500 sit-ups instead of having lunch first.

According to Willpowered, when he was sent to serve the military as a compulsory rule that needs to be followed by the citizens of Austria to serve the country's military for a minimum of 6 months, he used to say to himself, “Okay, Arnold, the goal is to become a bodybuilding champion and a movie star. Now, whatever it takes to get there, I will do.”

After 8 hours of military service, he used to dedicate another 3 hours to his strength training.

Those habits and dedication helped him become a top bodybuilder. In 1965, at the age of 18, he won the Junior Mr. Europe title in Germany. And 1 year later, in 1966, he won:

• The Mr. Europe title in Germany
• The International Powerlifting Championship title in Germany
• The Best Built Man of Europe title in Germany

At the age of 20, he became the youngest Mr. Universe in the amateur division. Most interestingly, he became Mr. Olympia for the first time in his life at the age of 23 in 1970.

While Reg Park motivated Schwarzenegger to become a bodybuilder, he is now motivating millions of aspiring bodybuilders who wish to become as prominent as he is. And for them, the Austrian has shared 7 secrets to help them succeed.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 7 secrets to success

In his book, “Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life,” Schwarzenegger shared the secrets necessary to build a successful career. So, the secrets include:

• Have a clear vision: Like Park, Schwarzenegger suggests that his followers have a clear vision. He also asked them to visualize the outcome and the journey, which will help motivate the process.
• Expand your thought and never think small: the 7-time Mr. Olympia believes limiting the thinking process is a big roadblock to success.
• Work hard: Only vision cannot help one achieve success. It is equally important to work very hard on it. And we can all see how hard Schwarzenegger worked to fulfill his dream.
• The art of selling: Your work and ideas remain invisible unless you communicate them.
• Shift gears: According to bodybuilding legend, failure is unavoidable. So, in such a situation, people need to stay in their positions and avoid complaining unless they can offer a solution.
• Be curious: he said to become curious and use one's mind. He believes in focusing on strength while learning from new ideas.
• Give back: The final task is to give back to society or the community. Grow by helping others.

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil