Tim Ferriss Show
Guest Arnold Schwarzenegger
2015 podcast re-broadcast
Likes pranks and practical jokes
When things get intense, he tries to lighten things up – “in 10 years we’ll laugh about this”
Grew up in Austria
No running water – had a well 100 yards away
Had a chamberpot for a toilet
Never felt poor, because they were surrounded by farmers and poor workers
Dad was cop
Where does his confidence come from?
Clear vision – you know why you’re suffering
Wanted to win Mr. Universe – visualized it clearly
Wanted audience and other bodybuilders to idolize him
“Not there to compete, there to win”
Psychological warfare
People are vulnerable in certain areas
If you criticize people, watch how they react, freak out, shrink
Let’s talk about your weakness, then let’s rebuild everything
Sports are not just physical thing – mental strength is more important
Among bodybuilding finalists – not much difference in how you look, it’s about how you act, your posing routine, your psychology
He never auditioned in Hollywood
Carved out a different niche
Lots of criticism that he looked too big, too muscular, his accent
Made Conan and Terminator – both directors said Arnold was only one who could do it
“What agents said was an obstacle became an asset”
Business / Entrepreneurship
Became a real estate millionaire before his Hollywood career really took off (after Conan in 1982)
Bot an apartment building – in 70s, inflation was high, could leverage up
Also had a home construction company, employed other bodybuilders
Then had a mail order business
Each decade offered a unique opportunity that he took advantage of
eg, 80s and rise of action films
Franco Columbu
Friend who he brought over from Europe, was training and business partner, strongman + power lifter + body builder
won Mr Universe and Mr Olympia
spoke no English initially
studied and became a chiropractor
Language / accent
Austrians are like Southerners – have unique German accent
Never intended to lose his accent – but rather focus on speaking it clearly, enunciating
eg, Kissinger’s and Huffington’s accent become part of their identity
Film career
Twins – Ivan Reitman helped him develop the idea, bring out his funny side, partners with him and Danny
made more on Twins than any other movie
cost $18M, earned $200M+ globally
Why not finance the film himself?
Felt like he should focus on performance, not investing as it’s totally different pursuit
Passionate about afterschool programs
Saw that during the 3-6pm period (after the school day), kids don’t have enough support / supervision, and get into trouble as a result
Feels good to help those in need, that’s what life is all about
Who Arnold admires
Gates, Buffett, Elon Musk
Nelson Mandela – showed power of tolerance / forgiveness / inclusion
Gorbachev – grew up under Communism and had chutzpah to dismantle it
Muhammad Ali – successful in sports and public service
Cincinnatus – Roman emperor, farmer who was asked to lead Rome, and after he succeeded, he went back to farming; and he did that twice!
“very addictive to be powerful”
Favorite books
Book about Churchill
“Free to choose” by Milton Friedman
California by Kevin Starr
In 1970s, too many things happening in his life, was hard to find mental clarity
Found a transcendental meditation teacher
20 mins morning & night, learned to disconnect and rejuvenate his mind
Can find meditation space while at the gym (because of the focus and concentration, can lose himself in it)
Wants subnational governments (like California) to set their own policy goals, such as crusading for a renewable energy future