Joseph Baena, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son, recently posted a powerful Instagram reel that revealed a personal and surprising truth about his fitness journey. The actor and fitness model combined humor with a throwback childhood photo to showcase his incredible before-and-after transformation.
A Childhood Struggle and a Pivotal Moment
In the Instagram reel, dated July 15, 2025, Baena starts on a couch, with the text “Kind of tired, might skip the gym today” overlaid. The video then cuts to a shirtless image of a young, overweight Baena at the beach. This visual prompts him to jump into action, presumably heading to the gym. The light-hearted clip was accompanied by a heartfelt caption.
“People sometimes forget that I used to be chubby in high school,” Baena wrote, revealing he was even “cut from my basketball and soccer team because I couldn’t keep up with the other kids.” He credited swimming—which didn’t have tryouts—for “completely changed my life forever,” calling it his “introduction to Fitness and training.” He concluded by emphasizing that “Everyone starts somewhere but starting is the most important.”
Fans React with Surprise and Praise
Baena’s inspiring story and relatable honesty quickly garnered hundreds of comments from fans. Many expressed surprise at his past weight struggles, offering sincere praise for his dedication. Comments included, “Didn’t know you’d had weight issues. Great work , very inspiring!” and “It’s all in the past. Now you are 🔥🔥🔥🔥.” Others simply admired his current physique, calling him “gorg” and noting, “She looks gorgeous 🔥 love it her body looks natural” and “Lord, it’s a real body!”
Fans also lauded his commitment, with one saying, “Dude you’re permanently locked in,” and another adding, “Always a good reminder.” One supportive fan acknowledged the “pressure” of being Arnold’s son but noted that many young men “carry a bit in their early teens then stretch out as they move into adulthood,” adding, “You’re great guy, that’s the main thing.” Predictably, many users also referenced his famous father, with jokes like “You can’t, you’re the TerminaSON you gotta do it,” and comments like, “Happy you tapped into some of the best genetics on the 🌎.”
Overcoming Childhood Bullying and Its Impact
Baena had previously discussed his past weight issues in a November 2022 interview with People, revealing he was bullied as a child, not by strangers, but by his “closest friends.” He described being “really overweight from the end of elementary school into the beginning of high school” and said it was a “big struggle for me (…) creating that ambition to change my weight and my physique.” These experiences, he explained, helped him prepare for his role in “Bully High,” a movie exploring bullying and prejudice, as it “wasn’t too hard to get into the character.” Baena is very active on social media, sharing glimpses of his life, including a photo with his father, Arnold, in November 2022, on bikes together.
Arnold’s Revelation and Family Dynamics
Arnold Schwarzenegger reportedly did not realize Joseph was his son until Joseph was about eight years old. Joseph is the son of Mildred Patricia Baena, the Schwarzenegger family’s former housekeeper, with whom Arnold had an affair in 1997. Arnold stated it became clear when Joseph “started looking like me.” He kept the secret from his family initially but supported Mildred financially. He eventually confessed to his wife, Maria Shriver, during a marriage counseling session when she confronted him, leading to their divorce. Arnold has expressed deep regret and apologized to Shriver and his four children—Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher—for the pain his affair caused. He recalled his children crying, saying, “It tears your heart out.”
While Arnold maintains a close bond with Joseph, often seen together on social media and at events, Joseph’s half-siblings reportedly do not share the same closeness. Sources claim Arnold’s children from his marriage to Shriver “don’t love” Joseph and choose to avoid him due to the circumstances of his birth. This strained dynamic was notably evident at the “FUBAR” premiere, where Joseph walked the red carpet alone, while Arnold was accompanied by his daughters and son-in-law, Chris Pratt. Joseph was also reportedly not invited to Katherine’s wedding in 2019, congratulating them only via social media. Despite these challenges, Joseph has openly expressed immense pride and joy in his father’s achievements. The Schwarzenegger family continues to navigate these complexities, with Arnold acknowledging the difficulties faced by his children and family.