Arnold Schwarzenegger Talks About Aging and Body Image, Says He Looks in the Mirror and Thinks, 'Yep, You Suck'

The former bodybuilder, 76, opened up to Howard Stern about the realities of aging while reflecting on his past, when his muscles were "firm and perky and really powerful"

Arnold Schwarzenegger has serious feelings about aging.

During a recent interview on The Howard Stern Show, the 76-year-old action film icon and former bodybuilder discussed his body concerns.

“I kind of smile because every day I do look in a mirror and I say, 'Yep, you suck,” the seven-time Mr. Olympia winner told Howard Stern during Wednesday’s episode. “Look at this body. Look at the spectral muscles that used to be firm and perky and really powerful. Now they're just hanging there.' I mean, what the hell is going on here?"

The former Governor of California continued by saying, “It’s one thing to see yourself get older and more and more out of shape but most of the people have never been in shape. So what does it mean getting out of shape?”

For years, the Terminator actor was renowned for his outstanding physique, characterized by defined muscles and prominent veins on his abs and chest.

“When you’ve been hailed for years as this supreme body, and you have the definition and you see the veins coming down your abs, and you see veins on top of your chest and then cut, you roll the clock 50 years and you’re standing there and you don’t see that anymore," said Schwarzenegger, who wrote a new self-help book: Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life.

Related: Arnold Schwarzenegger on His ‘Abusive’ Father, 'Complicated' Childhood: ‘Could Have Broken My Spirit’ (Exclusive Excerpt)

In addition to discussing his aging concerns, Stern also inquired about Schwarzenegger's take on the Ozempic trend. The Total Recall star emphasized the importance of embracing discomfort to foster resilience. Schwarzenegger told Stern he believes in confronting pain, misery and discomfort as these challenges often lead to personal growth and fortitude.

"Because the more you experience the things you really don't like, the more you can grow, and the tougher you get and the more you can handle. It’s just that simple,” Schwarzenegger said. "So many young kids today kind of shy away from that.”

Schwarzenegger also reminisced about the generation he feels built the foundation of today's United States. He celebrated the determined women and men who pursued their goals, attributing their hard work to the nation's success.

"These were ballsy women and men that went out there at five in the morning and went out there and struggled and fought and they worked their butts off," he said. "That's what made this country great."

"Let's continue this way," Schwarzenegger continued. "Don't start creating a generation of wimps and weak people. Where we're concerned about, 'How are you feeling today? I don't want to hurt your feelings.'"

While Schwarzenegger acknowledges the value of being considerate, he told Stern that he believes it's crucial not to overly pamper children or adults.

“Let's go and teach kids to be tough, to go out and do sports, to go and study, to struggle, and to go through these kind of painful moments sometimes,” the star added. 

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