Action hero and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has publicly celebrated the remarkable fitness transformation of a popular Barstool Sports personality, hailing his dedication as an inspiration to all.
From 'Frank the Tank' to Fitness Inspiration
The focus of Schwarzenegger's praise is Frank Fleming, widely known to the sports blog's community as 'Frank the Tank'. Fleming embarked on a serious weight loss journey in 2023, starting at a weight of over 500 pounds. His innovative approach turned his daily fitness walks into a popular interview series, where he chats with various celebrities and sports figures.
His relentless efforts have yielded extraordinary results. Earlier this year, Fleming reached a pivotal milestone when he stepped on the scale and saw he had dropped below the 300-pound mark, meaning he has shed over 200 pounds since beginning his mission.
'Terminator' Star Offers High-Profile Praise
The story reached global icon Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday when a follower on social media asked the bodybuilding legend if he had heard of Fleming's progress. "I have now," the 'Terminator' star replied. He then delivered a powerful message of support.
"Tell him thank you for inspiring everyone, including me, and showing exactly what I'm talking about when I say you have to show up every day," Schwarzenegger stated, emphasising the core principle of consistent effort that defines any successful transformation.
Fan Campaign for an Iconic Walk-and-Talk
The interaction quickly sparked a wave of excitement online. Content creator Matthew Piper Jenks shared a video of a FaceTime call with an emotional Fleming, who described hearing Schwarzenegger's words as "awe-inspiring." Fleming expressed a heartfelt wish, saying, "I've always loved Arnold's movies... I've lost so much weight, and I'd love to be able to do a walk with him and discuss my weight loss with him."
Fans immediately began campaigning to make this meeting a reality, urging Schwarzenegger to visit the East Coast for a collaborative walk. "Go for a walk with Frank! We need this content," one fan posted on X. Another simply stated, "Meet the man, Arnold." The sentiment was echoed by a college basketball insider account, which posted, "You should go for a walk with him, Arnold."
Fleming first gained significant attention within Barstool for his passionate, off-the-cuff rants about his beloved New York Mets. A particularly viral rant in 2016 about NJ Transit delays preventing him from attending Mets Opening Day caught the eye of company founder Dave Portnoy, who subsequently hired him.
His journey from viral sports rants to becoming a celebrity fitness inspiration recognised by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself stands as a powerful testament to the impact of daily commitment and the unexpected paths to personal victory.
