Interview Qa Format

Q: What is your earliest childhood memory that you think defines the person you are today, and how did your father's strictness impact your development? [00:08:44]

Interviewee: I don't know exactly what gave me the drive, but it was a combination of growing up in Austria after the Second World War with starvation and famine. My father was very strict; we were punished and hit for not doing things the way they thought we should. We had to earn our breakfast through push-ups, sit-ups, and running around the house. That strict upbringing and the presence of the military—seeing British tanks and trucks—all contributed to my drive and fascination with machinery and self-sufficiency. It gave me a certain base where I don't feel the need to be babied by anyone.

Q: You have mentioned that your father struggled with PTSD from his time as a Nazi officer in the war. How did that environment shape your view of the world? [00:13:38]

Interviewee: My father was a complicated man. He was a victim of the war, having been buried under rubble in Leningrad and suffering from malaria and depression. There was a lot of drinking and violence in the village where I grew up; it was just the norm for parents to hit their children. That environment created a drive in me to get out of Austria, to move to America, and to pursue bodybuilding. I realized I was unhappy with the reality around me and had to create my own world through visualization.

Q: What was the most intense part of your military experience? [00:19:24]

Interviewee: I recommend the military for young men and women because you learn how to be tough and self-sufficient. You learn leadership and simple chores like ironing or sewing. I remember the punishments were extremely tough, such as being forced to crawl under a tank in the mud 50 times after making a mistake. I could handle it because I was 18, strong, and already deeply committed to bodybuilding. It taught me not to be afraid of anything.

Q: What was your first impression of the United States and Los Angeles? [00:23:44]

Interviewee: Miami was my first real experience—the high-rises and the boats were staggering. However, my first experience in Los Angeles was a shock. I had a vision of high-rises and studios like in New York or London, but I arrived in Venice to find low buildings and a Hollywood Boulevard full of homeless people and weirdos. I was disappointed until I understood that this was earthquake country and began to appreciate the kindness of the American people, who took me in, fed me, and helped me when I was a stranger.

Q: How did you develop the ability to have such a clear vision while growing up in a place with so little opportunity? [00:36:20]

Interviewee: I was very unhappy with the reality around me, so I developed the art of daydreaming and creating my own world. When I saw pictures of Reg Park or Mr. Austria, I visualized myself on that stage, winning the title. It became a normal thing to look out the window in class and see myself achieving these goals. Visualization became my reality, and then it was just a matter of working my ass off to get there.

Q: What was the greatest sacrifice you ever made in your life? [00:44:30]

Interviewee: It is a dilemma to balance your promise to the people—like when I was governor—with the promise to your family to put them first. When you are in office and your kids are crying because you missed a recital or a practice, it is devastating and painful. You know it is your fault because you chose to run. But I never looked at my life’s work as a "sacrifice" in the traditional sense because I loved the goals I was chasing.

Q: Why do you advocate for never having a "Plan B"? [00:55:04]

Interviewee: I never believed in a Plan B because it makes you a naysayer to yourself. If you start thinking "if this doesn't work out," you are already putting your goal on shaky ground. I felt the best way to handle risk was to have no safety net, which forced me to be on edge and at 100% effort at all times.

Q: How do you approach the art of selling and promotion, both in your career and in politics? [01:05:07]

Interviewee: Selling is about communication. Whether you are selling tiles in a hardware store or infrastructure as a governor, you have to find out what the customer—or the voter—truly cares about. In politics, you have to explain complex issues like infrastructure by tying them to something people experience daily, like getting stuck in traffic. If you don't promote your product, nobody knows it exists. It’s an art form that I’ve used from my days as a gym owner to my film career.

Q: How does it feel to have achieved the visions you set for yourself as a young man in Austria? [01:17:40]

Interviewee: I am the most privileged person in the world to have lived the lives of an athlete, an entertainer, and a public servant. I’ve met world leaders, icons, and mentors who shaped me. I am a product of all the people who helped me, which is why I believe in giving back to the community. You should always look beyond yourself to see who needs help.

Q: Final Five: What is the best advice you've received, and what are you currently trying to master? [01:29:40]

Interviewee: The best advice is "believe in yourself," and the worst is "it can't be done." Currently, I am trying to master bringing all my talents—show business, fitness, and politics—together into one vision to help the world with environmental issues and healthcare. My biggest personal success is turning my visions into reality, and my biggest failure is the breakdown of my marriage.