Mick Wadge is 88 years old and based in Lancashire. After his wife died, he began exercising at home using makeshift weights like milk containers and a broom handle. Three years later, his progress has earned him recognition from one of the most famous figures in fitness history. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently sent Wadge a personal message on TikTok encouraging him to keep up his training.
Schwarzenegger, who is 79, reached out to Wadge after seeing video of his workouts. The message included an offer to connect Wadge with two of his own coaches in the United States. Wadge initially doubted the legitimacy of the message, but his trainer, Ross Starkie, verified the account credentials to confirm it came directly from the former bodybuilder and governor.
Starkie began posting videos of their sessions four weeks ago. The account has grown to over 3,600 followers. For Wadge, the gym provides a sense of purpose. He maintained an active life for years, including earning a brown belt in judo during his youth, but he did not train regularly in a gym until his late 80s.
The connection marks a shift for the veteran lifter. Starkie noted that Schwarzenegger follows only 14 accounts out of his millions of followers, making the attention particularly notable. The two are now communicating via email to determine next steps for the partnership. This story serves as proof that age is not a barrier to consistency in strength training.