Joseph Baena is proving that everyone starts somewhere, sharing a powerful message about his fitness journey that began with childhood struggles.
The 27-year-old son of Arnold Schwarzenegger recently opened up about his transformation from an overweight teenager to a dedicated fitness enthusiast, using his personal experience to inspire others facing similar challenges. Through an honest Instagram post, Baena revealed how his high school years shaped his commitment to health and fitness.
“People sometimes forget that I used to be chubby in high school,” Baena wrote in his Instagram caption.
The young actor and real estate agent shared a humorous video in which he appeared ready to skip his gym session until a shirtless childhood photo of himself appeared on screen, immediately motivating him to get off the couch and head to exercise.
Finding His Sport and Changing His Life
The turning point in Baena’s fitness journey came through an unexpected source during his time at Riverside High School. After experiencing rejection from traditional team sports, he discovered an activity that would completely transform his relationship with physical fitness and exercise.
“I got cut from my basketball and soccer team because I couldn’t keep up with the other kids,” Baena explained in his post. The painful experience of being unable to match his peers’ athletic abilities could have discouraged him from pursuing sports altogether.
Instead, Baena found his calling in swimming, a sport that didn’t require tryouts and welcomed him regardless of his current fitness level. “Swim didn’t have tryouts thankfully and completely changed my life forever,” he shared.
Swimming became more than just a physical activity for Baenaâit served as his introduction to structured fitness and training. The sport provided him with the foundation he needed to develop discipline, consistency, and a deeper understanding of how exercise could positively impact his life.
“That was my introduction to Fitness and training. Everyone starts somewhere but starting is the most important,” Baena emphasized
The comments were full of his followers who had faced similar challenges. Many shared their own experiences of childhood weight struggles and athletic disappointments.
Building on Family Legacy While Forging His Own Path
Baena’s relationship with fitness extends beyond personal transformation to include the influence of his famous father, although he has worked to establish his own identity in the fitness world. The genetic connection to Schwarzenegger provides certain advantages, but Baena has shown dedication to earning his achievements through hard work and consistency.
“Constantly working on the body, working on your personality, the mind, everything is beneficial to you,” Joseph told Us Weekly in 2019. “I always want to better myself, so I think bodybuilding is a great way for me, personally, to better my physical health.”
Baena has successfully balanced multiple career paths while maintaining his commitment to fitness. He currently works as a real estate agent in Southern California while pursuing acting opportunities. His upcoming projects include roles in “Dog Patrol,” starring Cuba Gooding Jr., set for release on September 20, and the romantic comedy “American Spark.”
The support from his father continues to play a role in his development, though Baena has established his own approach to fitness and career building. “[He’s] always just telling me, do the reps, do the work and do the classes,” Baena shared with Us Weekly. “That’s what I’ve been doing and we’re working our way up.”
Fan reactions to his story have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising his honesty and relatability. Comments ranged from shared experiences to admiration for his inherited advantages, with one follower writing, “Happy you tapped into some of the best genetics on the (planet).”
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