Arnold Schwarzenegger says he’s much “wiser” in his 70s

From Terminator to Governator to Motivator, Arnold Schwarzenegger has shown tremendous growth since first emerging in the public eye more than 50 years ago. Now, he is reflecting on how age, time and experience has changed him.

Ahead of the release of his new book, “Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life”, Arnold Schwarzenegger told People that, now that he is well into his 70s, he has discovered the benefits of redirecting his purpose. “All I’m trying to do is just try to use my talents and help other people. It’s the simple stuff that I do that really helped me get where I am today.” He added, “So today I feel good where I am. I feel I’m much wiser. I’m much smarter. I’m not as crazy. I think more about people. I think more about people’s feelings. In your 20s, you don’t do any of that. It’s me, me, me, me. As time goes on, you learn from your mistakes.”

Although Arnold Schwarzenegger has always been goal-oriented – you name it, he has given it his all – this attention to others’ needs demonstrates something that may only come with time and understanding. After all, at 76, he does call this the “fourth act” of his life. Considering he used to pay far more attention to himself – you don’t work on that physique and wear an “ARNOLD IS NUMERO UNO” shirt with a little ego about you – we have to commend our favorite action hero.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been on a tear as of late. Not only has he been named Netflix’s Chief Action Officer (as if there were other candidates!) but his namesake documentary shed light on the successes, challenges and controversies of his life and career. He, too, will return to “whipping ass” with action flick Breakout. 

As per its official website, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s upcoming motivational book has the following synopsis: “Too many of us struggle to disconnect from our self-pity and connect to our purpose. At an early age, Arnold forged the mental tools to build the ladder out of the poverty and narrow-mindedness of his rural Austrian hometown, tools he used to add rung after rung from there. Now he has shared that wisdom with all of us. As he puts it, no one is going to come rescue you—you only have yourself. The good news, it turns out, is that you are all you need.”

What do you find most impressive about the life and career of Arnold Schwarzenegger? Give us your favorite movies and memories of the man!