The Rest Is Politics: Leading 43. Arnold Schwarzenegger: Trump, Biden, and the American Dream
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Oct 30, 2023 
Arnold Schwarzenegger discusses his journey from a working-class kid to a global star, his interest in politics, and his disappointment in politicians' lack of courage. They also touch on the importance of seeking new challenges, Schwarzenegger's resilience, and the influence of generational differences on family relationships.
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How A Broken Postwar Childhood Fueled Ambition
- Arnold Schwarzenegger escaped a violent postwar Austrian childhood by obsessing over America and bodybuilding.
- He describes angry, alcoholic men around him and says that desire to leave created the "fire in the belly" that drove his ambitions.
Bodybuilding As A Deliberate Ticket To America
- Schwarzenegger chose bodybuilding because he wanted something distinctly American and to be unique rather than follow Austrian sports like skiing.
- He cites Reg Park and the Hercules films as the model that made him believe bodybuilding could lead to movies and a different life.
Be Useful Became The Moral Engine
- His father's admonition to "be useful" haunted him and shifted his focus toward public service.
- Father, a police officer, urged chores over self-focus, which later inspired Schwarzenegger's civic projects and eventual run for governor.