Legend Kai Greene once shared how Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding encyclopedia helped him identify as a ‘smart person’

Kai Greene is a one-of-a-kind bodybuilder who has spoken a lot about the connection between muscles and the mind. The IFBB professional bodybuilder once opened up about the rewarding experience he had after reading Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding.

Greene is a multi-talented personality. He redefined the view of bodybuilders by showing that bodybuilders are not just limited to lifting huge weights and training aggressively, but also have other passions like art. In this throwback interview, he shared his journey of self-discovery as an academic.

Kai Greene found the book that changed his life

Fascinated by the limitless possibilities offered by bodybuilding, Greene was curious to learn more. Eventually, he got his hands on Arnold’s Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding. He remembers working hard to get where he wanted to be.

“I wanted to become a professional bodybuilder,” said Greene. He shared that he had a reason to apply some of the skills learned in the book. It wasn’t about strength, it was about identifying as one “academic” and “smart person” who could think of intellectual pursuits.

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As an avid aspiring bodybuilder, he performed push-ups until he couldn’t stand up anymore. For the same, he revealed that he was on suicide watch. He said it took a lot of effort to let them know that he was preparing for the world conferences, contrary to what they felt.

His art is his inspiration

Greene has an ardent love for art; he is renowned for his self-portraits. Interestingly, he uses them as a driving factor to maintain his well-built physique. In fact, in 2011 it had enough artwork to host an exhibition. Greene gave himself a unique description as a bodybuilder. “I am a master sculptor, he said, referring to the way he designed his body.

Additionally, he said the art exhibit made him realize that he had always been an artist. “My medium is the human physique,” he said. Going further, he says his life is what he makes it, indicating that he is the creator of his destiny. Comparing life to art, he said: “My life is what I make of it, as is the art I have produced. He also added that he celebrates his artistic achievements as a form of expression.

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