“The Promise I Made to Arnold”

By Mak Singh | Powerlifter | Coach | Author of “Unlock Your Greatness”

There are moments in life that shift everything.

For me, one of those moments came in the presence of a man I had admired since childhood, Arnold Schwarzenegger. I grew up inspired by his story: a young man from a small Austrian village who dared to dream big, broke barriers, and transformed not only his own life but the lives of millions.

Last week, I had the honour of meeting Arnold in person.

I stood before him, nervous, humbled, yet fuelled with purpose. I had the privilege of deadlifting in front of him, something I’ve done thousands of times before. But this time… something was different.

As I gripped the bar, Arnold looked straight at me and shouted:

“Come on, Makka!”

“Makka is going to pump it up!”

The voice that once boomed through gym walls in the ‘Pumping Iron’ era… was now cheering for me.

In that moment, something shifted inside me. A fire I thought had dimmed over the years roared back to life. Right there, I made him and myself a promise:

I will win the World Masters Powerlifting Championship in 2026.

Not just for personal glory, but to represent everyone who dares to believe again, who dreams in the face of adversity, and who still has unfinished business with their own potential.

Why This Promise Matters

This isn’t just about lifting weights. It’s about lifting legacy.

It’s about proving that age is not a barrier. That our best years aren’t behind us, but they're ahead of us if we’re willing to chase them. And it's about showing Wolverhampton, my home, that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.

I’ve worn many hats in life - athlete, actor, entrepreneur, politician but I’ve always been a fighter. And now, I’m fighting for one more title.

What Comes Next

This blog marks Day 1 of my journey. From now until the world championships in 2026, I’ll be documenting:

• My training routines (a blend of old-school and modern)

• Nutrition and mindset strategies

• Lessons from setbacks and wins

• Reflections on balance, legacy, and motivation

• Collaborations - like the exciting international strength event in Austria I’m building with Arnold’s team

And of course… the ups and downs that come with chasing greatness again.

If You’ve Ever Felt It’s Too Late - This Is For You

This journey isn’t just mine. It’s for anyone who’s ever said:

“Maybe I missed my shot.” “Maybe it’s too late.” “Maybe I’m too old, too tired, too behind.”

Let me tell you - it’s not too late.

Join me as I train, write, and build toward a vision bigger than any one lift. Together, we’ll pump up more than just muscle - we’ll pump up purpose.

Here’s to the promise I made Arnold. Here’s to keeping it with everything I’ve got.

Mak Singh Wolverhampton Powerlifting Coach | Author of Unlock Your Greatness #TheArnoldPromise #RoadToWorldMasters2026 #PumpItUp