TAFs: How far back do you and Arnold go?

Douglas: My wife was doing the E.T. commercial… we’re talking 25 years ago. Arnold was doing a beer commercial across the street, a Chinese beer commercial. We were doing a promotion for Progressive insurance with Steven Spielberg and E.T., because she was E.T. I walked outside- I knew he was there and I walked into his trailer. We met and I had the encyclopedia signed. I’m a world champion powerlifter and bench-presser. He goes “Oh you guys! 4 ft 5 150 lbs- you can bench press 350 lbs- you guys beat me because I’m weighing 250 lbs and I’m only bench pressing 50 lbs more- so mathematically you guys win- you always beat me!” So that’s how we met- then Gold’s Gym in Venice, CA- that’s home and that’s where I train for the last 49-50 years. That’s where the marriage started.

What has changed in your life with COVID-19?

I got a phone call for Peter Dinklage and a motorcycle— I thought I’d never double him doing a stunt double. So the virus shoots up, and all of a sudden- I get two big home runs to double him and they get slowed down because of the virus… and I’m like oh shit! But the word’s out next month that the studios are going to open… not in front of the camera yet, but to start the business. I was at Gold’s Gym today and the rules are rules- you have to wear gloves now in the gym, and wear the mask. 

Arnold was staying away from Gold’s when they weren’t requiring the masks.

He came and he left, oh yeah. They weren’t requiring it, and it didn’t make sense what Gold’s was doing- you’re scanning the person’s head, and just because someone doesn’t have a temperature, not making people wear masks, and this was 4 weeks ago when they opened up the gym, so Arnold left, and that’s where we’re at. But now they started with the masks, and today it’s the gloves.

What are some of the best advices you’ve gotten from Arnold?

Obviously don’t give up and work hard. When I went to Austria to give a speech to dancers against cancer. I wrote something and he said “Let me see what you got.” I had a speech and his team took it, fixed it, and when you look at the inspirational speeches he has, I kind of combed it with that- like “Don’t believe the naysayers.” People told me that all my life, I was always too short. I had my legs taken apart and put back together as a child. It was normal to me, dad throwing me up on a horse. All my brothers and sisters were all big and my brothers were football players, and I did what they did… I ran, I rode horses, I rode motorcycles, I could swim, I just had to adjust, but it’s just normal to me. I’ll figure it out- now I’ll look at things, and if someone’s having a problem with their obstacle, I’ll be like “I can fix that.” Cause I’ve already done it as a child. It’s like I became a doctor of how to adjust. Like driving a car, I added peddle extensions to get them closer to me. I used to go into stores, and everything was glass, and how am I gonna get that off the shelf? I’m gonna climb up there and get that. Everybody’s nice, they’ll say “Can I help you with that?” but I just say “I need to do it myself.” 

You went to Arnold’s birthplace in Graz recently and the museum, tell us about that.

Arnold’s childhood friend Peter Urdl and the news media asked me to go over there. Neurosocks is the company that sponsored me, it’s what I wear and it’s helped me a lot with my nerve damage. I went to the museum and saw where Arnold- it’s his home. His bed was there, I was like “Can I lay on his bed?” and they said go ahead! His Harley Davidson.. his Conan sword, I got to pick that up and swing it a little. You’re talking a super hero movie guy, Mr. Olympia, came from nowhere, beat all obstacles. You go to his home and you see all the stuff that he accomplished in movies, and in sports, and you’re in awe! 

How have you been spending time during quarantine?

I’ve been training outside. I went back to Gold’s gym today and got a lot of compliments. I got leaner because I got away from the weights, and I’ve been training real hard. I’ve been motor crossing. I can ride any motorcycle.. the problem is when I come to stop (laughs). I need a platform, or catch me. The only time I touch the ground is when I rack or I’m back at camp. So I’ve been out riding bikes, motor crossing, practising, swimming, and staying in shape, because when doors open up you gotta be ready, so I want to be in tip top shape and all ready. When things open up hopefully Arnold and I will go back to Austria and speak to the people. I gave them a message for Arnold, I said “He loves his country and misses you all, and I’m here to speak on behalf of Arnold” and I gave my speech, so that was cool to speak on behalf of Arnold Schwarzenegger! Things are gonna explode, as soon as people aren’t waiting around anymore. You’re gonna start hearing some things.

Favorite Arnold movie?

You can’t just pick! But you gotta go with Terminator! Terminator 1, with the bad-ass motorcycle and shotgun.