Arnold Schwarzenegger

My next Overcoming the Odds Article is on someone whose name is one of the Most Recognizable the World Over.  Arnold Schwarzenegger has been known as a Bodybuilder, Actor, Governor, Businessman, Writer, and so Much More.  However, when one gets to know just who 'Arnold' really is and where he came from one can really appreciate the odds he Overcame in his Life.  Coming from a low income family in Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger always strove to be successful.  Arnold's father was extremely hard on him and favorited his older son over Arnold.  Anxious to prove himself to his father and others, Arnold pursued athletics and then got into bodybuilding. Schwarzenegger was the recipient of what he considers 'child abuse'.  He claims his Father would pull his hair and hit him with belts.  One of Arnold's Brothers died in a car accident while drinking and driving.  A year later, his own father would die.   Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian Army in the 1960's while competing in Bodybuilding contests and even winning the Junior Mr. Europe contest.  Arnold came to the United States in 1968 not speaking very much English.  He had always dreamed of coming to the United States and saw Bodybuilding as a way to do so.  To this day, Arnold Schwarzenegger is considered on the most iconic and important figures in Bodybuilding and his legacy is commemorated every year with the annual Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition.

In 1970, at the young of 23, Arnold Won Mr. Olympia and would capture that title a total of seven times.  Arnold would eventually receive a BA from University of Wisconsin-Superior.  This was after taking English Classes at Santa Monica College in California.   LA Weekly would at one point say that Schwarzenegger is the most famous immgrant in America, who "overcame a thick Austrian accent and transcended the unlikely background of bodybuilding to become the biggest movie star in the world in the 1990s." Arnold's breakthrough in the film industry came with Conan the Barbarain which would have a sequel Conan the Destroyer.  However, in 1984 Arnold played the role of the character that many would consider his 'signature role'  in The Terminator.  To this day, people still say Quotes from his Movie even though it came out 31 years ago.  Some other notable roles for Arnold besides the sequels to Terminator include: Predator, Raw Heat, Twins, Kindergarten Cop, True Lies, Jingle All the Way, The Expendables 1,2, and 3, and of course Pumping Iron.  

And of Course, Arnold's Career in Politics certainly solidified him as a 'Renaissance Man.'  While he had campaigned for politicians before, Arnold would serve as the chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports being nominated under then President George H.W. Bush.  As the 1990s came to a close, Arnold considered running for office.  In 2003, he announced his Candidacy for Governor of California and would win serving two terms.

Arnold Schwarzenegger OVERCAME THE ODDS of a Strict Low-Income Upbringing and coming to the United States without speaking much English by Mastering the Language, Getting An Education, Becoming a Pioneer in the Sport of Bodybuilding, Becoming a Film Icon and Becoming a Governor.  That's a True American Dream Right There!!!