Hollywood star and bodybuilding champion Arnold Schwarzenegger has opened up about his struggles with body image as he confronts the challenges of aging. Known for his iconic performances in movies like The Terminator and True Lies, the seven-time Mr. Olympia champion got candid about the profound impact the changes in his physique have had on him during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Shared His Struggles With Body Image
The 76-year-old actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is known for dominating the bodybuilding stages and gracing the silver screens with his chiseled physique. However, as he grows older, the actor has opened up about the challenges that he faces with body image.
Reflecting on his journey, The Terminator star expressed feeling disappointed as he compared his current appearance to his former glory. “I kind of smile because every day I do look in a mirror, and I say yeah, you suck,” he shared on The Howard Stern Show. The actor further stated,
“Look at this body. Look at those pectoral muscles that used to be firm and perky and kind of like really powerful with a striation in there. Now they’re just hanging there. I mean, what the hell is going on here?”
The bodybuilder-turned-actor further acknowledged the complexity of his experience, as he shared that while aging and changes in physique are universal, his situation is uniquely challenging due to his former status as a symbol of physical excellence.
Although the actor shared that his current physique is “better than the majority of bodies,” he still believes that “it just sucks.” admitting that grappling with body dysmorphia has been a challenging aspect of his journey. Schwarzenegger also opened up about such challenges and struggles in his Netfix documentary.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Revealed Struggles with Self-Doubt and Body Shaming
In his Netflix documentary, Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that despite his iconic status in the realm of bodybuilding, he never felt satisfied with his physique. “I never really was satisfied with my body,” the bodybuilding champion admitted before adding, “I looked in the mirror and said to myself, ‘I don’t know how this shit body can ever win this competition.'”
“When I brag about myself, that’s all bullshit,” he further said, describing it as the other side of him and a persona that he presents to the world. The documentary also discusses that even someone like the Predator star has faced challenges with body image and its impact on his self-esteem.
It revealed that he faced criticism after he moved to America and started training at Gold’s Gym. Additionally, Schwarzenegger shared a vulnerable moment of feeling “devastated” and crying the whole night after a setback in the Mr. Universe USA competition. However, he did not let any of it stop him, and the rest is history.
The documentary Arnold is available to stream on Netflix.
