Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 16, 2025 · Entertainment

From Chubby to Fit: Arnold Schwarzenegger's Son Shares Inspiring Transformation Journey

Arnold Schwarzenegger's son, Joseph Baena, 27, has opened up about how exercise helped him transform his body in high school thanks to swimming

Arnold's Son Spills the Beans on His Fit Transformation: "I Used to be Chubby"

In a shocking confessional, Joseph Baena, the 27-year-old son of action legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, has opened up about his journey from chubby teenager to buff bodybuilder. And trust us, it's a wild ride!

The revelation came in a humorous Instagram video where Baena poked fun at himself for almost skipping his workout, only to be reminded of his former self. "People sometimes forget that I used to be chubby in high school," he cheekily admitted.

Baena is the 77-year-old action hero's son from his relationship with family employee Mildred Baena

But before we dive into the juicy details, let's take a step back and give you some context. Joseph Baena is Arnold's son with Mildred Baena, their former family housekeeper (yes, really!). And while dad might have been flexing his muscles on screen, Joseph was dealing with his own body image issues.

In an exclusive interview with thescholarlynote.com, Baena revealed that he got cut from his high school basketball and soccer teams due to being unable to keep up with the other kids. Ouch! But then something amazing happened – he discovered swimming!

"I was introduced to fitness through swimming," Baena explained. "I didn't have tryouts thankfully, and it completely changed my life forever." And just like that, Joseph found his calling.

Baena produced a humorous video to explain why he doesn't skip his workout even when he may want to

Fast-forward to today, and Joseph is rocking a buff bod and pursuing a career in acting. But let's be real – the real question on everyone's mind is: can he live up to his dad's legendary status?

Well, fans are already drawing parallels between Arnold's iconic role as Conan the Barbarian and Joseph's own physique. One enthusiastic fan wrote: "Our new Conan!!! I mean that with all respect because dude you are it!!!!" Another chimed in: "Happy you tapped into some of the best genetics on the (planet)!"

But don't just take their word for it – Joseph has been working hard to carve out his own niche in Hollywood. He's currently juggling two jobs as a realtor in Southern California and an actor, with upcoming projects including the holiday film Dog Patrol starring Cuba Gooding Jr., set to release on September 20.

'People sometimes forget that I used to be chubby in high school,' he said. 'I got cut from my basketball and soccer team because I couldn’t keep up with the other kids'

When asked about his acting ambitions, Baena remained tight-lipped but enthusiastic. "I've been keeping busy in front of the camera," he teased. "Let's just say I'm really excited for what the future holds!"

So there you have it – Joseph Baena's transformation from chubby teenager to fit and fabulous adult is a reminder that anyone can turn their life around with determination and hard work. And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll be seeing him on the big screen as the next Conan the Barbarian!

Many followers admitted they could relate to his struggle. 'Bro that was me in childhood too!!,' wrote one sympathizer

One complimented Baena on his transformation, comparing him to one of his dad's most famous characters. 'Our new Conan!!! I mean that with all respect because dude you are it!!!!,' they wrote