Thirty-six years after coming to America, the man once known by fellow body­builders as the Austrian Oak was elected governor of California, the seventh largest economy in the world.

No matter the nationality, no matter the religion, no matter the ethnic background, America brings out the best in people.

Don't be economic Girlie-Men

In this country, it doesn't make any difference where you were born. It doesn't make any difference who your parents were. It doesn't make any difference if, like me, you couldn't even speak English until you were in your twenties.

Start wide, expand further, and never look back.

I had a clear vision of myself winning the Mr. Universe contest. It was a very spiritual thing, in a way, because I had such faith in the route, the path, that there was never a question in my mind that I would make it.

The secret is contained in a three-part formula I learned in the gym: self confidence, a positive mental attitude, and honest hard work.