Joseph Baena, son of Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger, shared insights into his childhood struggles with weight during a recent Instagram post. The 27-year-old actor and real estate agent took a humorous approach to the monotony of gym routines, but his caption revealed a deeper narrative.
"People sometimes forget that I used to be chubby in high school," Baena wrote, recalling how he was cut from both the basketball and soccer teams due to his inability to keep pace with peers. "Swim didn’t have tryouts, thankfully, and completely changed my life forever. That was my introduction to fitness and training. Everyone starts somewhere but starting is the most important."
In the video, Baena humorously depicted himself lounging on a sofa, with the text overlay reading, "Kind of tired, might skip the gym today." A nostalgic childhood photo of him appeared, prompting a swift transition from relaxation to action as he presumably prepared for a workout.
Joseph learned about his biological father, Schwarzenegger, at the age of 13. Raised by his mother, Mildred Baena, he initially carried the surname of his legal father, Rogelio Baena, until Mildred's separation from him shortly after Joseph's birth. In a 2019 interview, he described Schwarzenegger as a "huge inspiration" in his pursuit of a career in sports and fitness.
"Constantly working on the body, working on your personality, the mind, everything is beneficial to you," he stated. "I always want to better myself, so I think bodybuilding is a great way for me, personally, to better my physical health."
Transitioning from bodybuilding to real estate, Joseph obtained his real estate license in 2021. However, the allure of Hollywood soon called him back. He has since appeared in films such as "Gunner," alongside Morgan Freeman and Luke Hemsworth, and "Athena Saves Christmas," featuring Cuba Gooding Jr.
On June 13, Joseph posted a series of photos from the season two premiere of "FUBAR," starring his father. "Action packed night at the Season 2 premiere of FUBAR! New season just dropped and it’s bigger, badder, and more badass. Go watch my dad do what he does best 💥💪🏼 #FUBAR," he captioned the post, which showcased him alongside Schwarzenegger on the red carpet.
Looking ahead, Joseph expressed interest in pursuing television projects similar to his father's career path. He envisions a real estate reality show that would merge his interests. "I’ve always thought that doing something like that might take me away from the movie career," he noted. "But honestly, if it’s something that’s in good spirits, something that’s not so dramatic where I look like a weirdo or like a jerk, you know? Then I’m super open to it."
Throughout his journey, Schwarzenegger has remained a steadfast source of encouragement. "[He’s] always just telling me, do the reps, do the work and do the classes," Joseph shared. "That’s what I’ve been doing and we’re working our way up."
