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Arnold Schwarzenegger is a name synonymous with bodybuilding, Hollywood, and politics. Before he became the “Terminator” or the Governor of California, he was an ambitious young man trying to find his foothold in America. One of the many intriguing stories from his early days revolves around a strategy that he employed with his late friend, Franco Columbu, to earn more money.

During a recent appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Schwarzenegger delved deep into his past. He recalled the times he and Columbu would create fake disputes for a monetary advantage. He shared some of his great memories with his friend Franco Columbu of their young age.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu: Fake arguments for profit

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Their act was not just a playful banter showcasing their Italian and Austrian roots, but a well-thought-out strategy. Schwarzenegger recollected. “We created those arguments. I remember there was people that said, you know how much would this cost and Franco would say, you know this is five thousand dollars, and the person would say, well I cannot afford five thousand dollars. I said, let me deal with it”. They confused potential clients with intricate details, measurements, and foreign currencies, making them believe they were striking a lucrative deal.

While Schwarzenegger arrived in the US aspiring to be a top bodybuilder, he initially laid bricks with Franco Columbu to earn his first million before Joe Weider guided him into real estate. Coming to his fake fights, the trick was simple yet effective. Schwarzenegger would use terms like “centimeters”, “meters”, and “Austrian shilling”, which were relatively unknown to their clients. This would inevitably prompt them to approach Columbu, where they would witness a staged argument between the duo. Eventually, the client would be quoted a price like $4,388, while in reality, the job would just cost $2,000.

Read More: Arnold Schwarzenegger Suffers a Devastating Loss, Man Who Got Him $29.25 Million for Terminator 3 Dies at 81

Schwarzenegger humorously reflected, “That guy felt like he had a really great break. And the things that we made really good money, and that’s what we did”. While these crafty tactics were both innovative and profitable, they were just one facet of Schwarzenegger’s multidimensional approach to success.

Arnold’s dedication to success exceeds the tricks

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Yet such tactics were merely a part of Schwarzenegger’s broader scheme of hard work and ambition. In the same interview, he highlighted his commitment by mentioning, “I talk about that in the book how I used the day 24 hours fully because I slept six hours, we worked five-six hours every day, I worked out five hours a day, I went to acting classes.”

This narrative underscores his determination and highlights the lengths he’d go to materialize his dreams. Through staged confrontations, coupled with relentless training and continuous learning, he charted a path. Consequently, this paved his journey to the pinnacle of success, underscored by sheer dedication and a robust work ethic.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s early days with Franco Columbu reveal a combination of humor and entrepreneurship. Their fake debates not only entertained but also laid the groundwork for Schwarzenegger’s legacy of ingenuity and determination, demonstrating that success often necessitates imagination outside the usual.