Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Why we think Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Type 3
Arnold Schwarzenegger's posture and demeanor can be described as confident, authoritative, and charismatic. As a former professional bodybuilder, his posture is generally straight and strong, with broad shoulders and an open chest, exuding a sense of power and self-assurance. His demeanor is typically friendly and approachable, often accompanied by a warm smile and a sense of humor. However, during his tenure as a politician and in more serious situations, he can display a more serious and focused demeanor, while still maintaining his innate confidence. Overall, Schwarzenegger's posture and demeanor convey a commanding presence that has contributed to his success in various fields, including bodybuilding, acting, and politics.
Ambition and drive. Schwarzenegger’s relentless pursuit of success in multiple domains, such as bodybuilding, acting, and politics, demonstrates the ambition and drive typical of a Type 3. As an example, he was so dedicated as a young person that he broke into the local gym on weekends to train even when it was closed. "It would make me sick to miss a workout... I knew I couldn't look at myself in the mirror the next morning if I didn't do it." He went from winning multiple Mr. Olympia titles to becoming a successful Hollywood actor to getting elected governor of California.
Work ethic to overcome lack of expertise. Schwarzenegger worked very hard to improve his acting skills and English language proficiency, allowing him to land leading roles in movies like "Conan the Barbarian" and "The Terminator." For example, to improve his English, he enrolled in English classes at Santa Monica College and he attended dialogue coaching sessions to practice and enhance his language skills. Notably, he spent several hours a day repeating lines from movies and reading newspapers out loud, focusing on pronunciation and sentence structuring.
Business ambitions. Apart from his bodybuilding, acting, and political careers, Schwarzenegger has been a savvy entrepreneur, investing in real estate, restaurants, and other ventures.
Focus on image and steroid use. Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding career, in particular, showcases his focus on image and presentation. He worked hard to sculpt his physique and became known for his impressive and well-maintained appearance. He admitted to using anabolic steroids to enhance his performance, which shows willingness to bend/break the rules in pursuit of success.
Arnold Schwarzeneggar quotes that show he is a Type 3
"For me, life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer."
"You can't climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets."
"I never listened to anyone who said I can't do something."
"I welcome and seek your ideas, but do not bring me small ideas; bring me big ideas to match our future."
"If you work hard and play by the rules, this country is truly open to you. You can achieve anything."
"Learned helplessness is the giving-up reaction, the quitting response that follows from the belief that whatever you do doesn't matter."
"There are no shortcuts—everything is reps, reps, reps."
"Failure is not an option. Everyone has to succeed."