I havent met the man
because, although I had the opportunity, I had heard from others I trusted that he was not a "great human being". I also had read his book, "EDUCATION OF A BODYBUILDER", and could glean from that the type of ego he had. In that put book he puts down Mike Mentzer and Frank Zane, two bodybuilders he beat in 1980 due to politics in the IFBB. As Bill Pearl said, "I don't know who I woulda voted for but it wouldn't have been Arnold." He stated that he entered the 1980 Olympia because of something Frank Zane had said, namely that winning the Olympia was almost as good as beating Arnold in the Mr Universe in 1968 in Miami.
Arnold, also states in that book that he took $1,000 from a "fag" after one of his Olympia wins for allowing the guy to kiss his biceps. Lets not forget that Arnold had a gay mentor(gym owner) in Germany before coming to the States. I have followed Arnold's career since he competed in Europe in the v60's in the NABBA and prior.
He is well known for philandering and using recreational drugs in the 70's and discusses this in his book. He used cocaine (in common with George W) and marijuana at least. I lived near a gym where he attended and the owner and others told me he "hit on" every woman in the place. He asked the gym owner to "show him her tits". This is his style and I've read other storia regarding his antics. The unauthorized biography is more explicit and he got publication blocked I believe.
There is no doubt in my mind that Arnold married Maria Shriver to legitimate himself. He has reputedly cheated on her countless times. His political aspirations are evident but how can he run with the baggage concerning his drug use and cheating.
What really bothers me is the callous way he treated his fans. His book explains how he mocked fans who asked his secrets, telling them they had to eat 20 bananas a day to be big like a gorilla. He also was flipppant about his exercise advice and his methods of high volume training(supposedly) are agonizingly non productive for most who attempt them. The truth in the mags at the time was that his off season training for chest was 10 sets...five bench press sets with five sets of flyes. Much of the truth lies hidden because he tries to intimidate people and lies about his routines. Do a search on Ric Drasen, a former workout partner of Arnold. He
states Arnold may have biceps implants. This seems reasonable since he got calf implants on a trip to see Reg Park in South Africa in the late 60's. Probably 1968, since in 1969 he won "best legs" in the Mr Universe. Of course his exlanation was he did volume training...ten sets of ten...with 800 lbs. Anything to embellish his image.
I think he was a great bodybuilder but so much is out there on his character that I immediately question anything he does.