Underdog Story of the Day - Arnold Schwarzenegger

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

A tough early life is an understatement. He grew up in Austria in a family that undervalued his potential. His father, Gustav, was an alcoholic police officer and once, a member of the Nazi-party. Gustav was largely in favor of Arnold's older brother because he didn't see much potential in Arnold due to his skinny, unathletic build at the time. There were several reports of abusing Arnold physically and verbally, and when Arnold told his family his hopes and dreams of becoming a bodybuilder, they laughed at him thinking it was impossible. His family was so disconnected emotionally that Arnold didn't attend his father or brothers' funerals. 

In 1968, Arnold immigrated to the United States with big dreams and a bigger heart, hoping to prove his family wrong. Almost immediately, Arnold won 6 Mr. Olympias in a row (1970-75) before retiring. 

Post-bodybuilding, Arnold took to the challenge of acting. In 1970, he had a role in Hercules in New York, where he needed a stunt double just for his language difficulties. The whole movie business didn't believe he would turn out to be much because of his strong Austrian accent. 

You can probably guess what Arnold did next.

Yes, he proved people wrong, just like in his bodybuilding days.

Arnold went on to film Pumping Iron, which led to his breakout movie, Conan the Barbarian. Then he took off. He became an international star with Terminator, filming six more Terminator movies after this. He has had many other key roles in Predator (1987), Kindergarten Cop (1990), Total Recall (1990), True Lies (1994), and The 6th Day (2000).

Later on, he married reporter Maria Shriver. He became an avid supporter of the Republican Party, eventually getting elected Governor of California in 2003. Although some of his decisions considered unpopular during his term, he was reelected in 2006. Shortly after, he earned key legislative victories on matters relating to the environment, including an act to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in California.

WRAP-UP

Arnold is a model underdog story. Considered to be a future failure and underappreciated almost everywhere he went, he turned into a world-renowned figure, now inspiring people everywhere he goes. This story should show you that anything is possible no matter what people think is or is not possible for you. You are in charge of your own destiny.