“Arnold Schwarzenegger Is the GOAT and Here’s Why”: Phil Heath Ends Bodybuilding GOAT Debate Once and for All

Right after the premiere of his documentary, ‘Breaking Olympia: The Phil Heath Story’, Phil Heath has been seen promoting the film while also having talks and conversations with fitness enthusiasts. In one such interview when he was asked why Arnold Schwarzenegger was the bodybuilding GOAT, the bodybuilder replied that although both of them share the same number of Mr. Olympia titles, there are reasons why Arnie was the GOAT.

Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s impact on bodybuilding wasn’t just seen during his competitive years but continues to be felt in the industry even now. His bodybuilding career has been off the charts but that is certainly not the only big achievement Schwarzenegger had. This is what Heath banked on while explaining why Arnie was the GOAT

Heath lauds Arnie’s mentality

In an appearance on Ladbible Phil Heath was asked whether Schwarzenegger was the GOAT. Without wasting a second, Heath stated, “Arnold Schwarzenegger is the GOAT and here’s why, he was able to do something such as win something Mr. Olympia seven times, just like myself.” Then he also added where Schwarzenegger goes beyond this, “However, it’s what he did with that mentality and that body of work on that bodybuilding stage, transcending his body with his mind, getting into acting when he was told that he could never do it because of his accent.”

He also explained, how lines from Arnie’s movies continue to be remembered. Heath stated, “And let’s be honest, out of all the actors in the world, in the last 30 years, we know more lines of his than any other actor probably.” Right after this, the bodybuilder also mentioned Schwarzenegger’s involvement with politics as well. “It takes a lot of intelligence, a lot of self-belief, a lot of positive mantras, and always having that confidence, creating that swagger that we saw on the bodybuilding stage, even in those movies,” Heath explained Arnie’s greatness.

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On the other hand, Heath, who had achieved the same number of Mr. Olympia titles as Schwarzenegger, had once opened up about why he did not go up on any other bodybuilding stages as the Arnold Classic.

Phil Heath’s goals with competitive bodybuilding

With much respect for Arnold Schwarzenegger, and his Arnold Classic, Phil Heath did not want to go and compete at any other stage than the eMr. Olympia. He once explained, “I want to be immortalized in.. in that. So for me, it was all about.. it was all about Mr. Olympia or nothing. I didn’t give a f**k about doing any other shows to be quite honest.”

Heath also explored the idea of Mr. Olympia being the only place from where a bodybuilder can get true recognition, much like Jay Cutler. He also said, “Once you win it you solidified yourself as an iconic figure within an industry.”

READ MORE: “I Wanted to K*ll Myself”: 7x Mr. Olympia Legend Phil Heath Makes Shocking Confession in His Much-Awaited Documentary Trailer

As Heath explains, it is not the number of titles that made Arnie the greatest bodybuilding has ever seen. It is what he did with those titles and how he made a name for himself in other fields while continuing to contribute to bodybuilding. Do you also think Arnold Schwarzenegger is the GOAT? Let us know in the comments.

READ MORE: “Hope You’re Enjoying a Nice Cigar”: Once Towering Over 6’2 Arnold Schwarzenegger, 7x Mr. Olympia Pens a Special Birthday Wish