Arnold Schwarzenegger
Went AWOL from the Austrian army at 18 to win Junior Mr. Europe — and took the jail time.
The episode
In 1965, eighteen-year-old Schwarzenegger was a conscript tank driver in the Austrian army when the Junior Mr. Europe contest came up in Stuttgart, Germany. Leaving base during basic training meant the brig — he went anyway, slipping out to enter his first major competition. He won it. Back at base he was locked up for going AWOL; by his own telling, officials grew uncomfortable holding a champion and released him after days. He was, he said later, simply so eager to pursue bodybuilding success that the punishment did not weigh. He kept training through his service, and two years later won the amateur Mr. Universe title at twenty — the youngest winner ever. ESPN later built a film, "Arnold's Blueprint," around the episode.
The move — copy this today
Your turn
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