Arnold Schwarzenegger Calls Frank The Tank His 'Idol' Before Friday's New Frank Walks

Arnold Schwarzenegger embraces Frank the Tank in his trophy room

Frank Fleming didn't set out to become one of Barstool's most inspiring follows. Dave Portnoy discovered him back in 2016 mid-rant about NJ Transit delaying his trip to Opening Day, and the world got Frank the Tank. What's followed since has turned into something bigger than a viral bit: Frank was over 500 pounds when he was hired, and starting in 2023 he committed to walking every single day, turning the routine into his own interview show, Frank Walks.

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“You have become our idol” Arnold Schwarzenegger with the ultimate praise for Frank the Tank

This isn't a stranger handing out a compliment. Schwarzenegger is a 7-time Mr. Olympia and about as credentialed a voice on strength and discipline as exists on the planet, and he's watched Frank's transformation up close for a while now, including a visit to Schwarzenegger's own Arnold Sports Expo earlier this year. Frank has dropped from over 500 pounds to under 280 on the back of that daily walking streak, so hearing the guy who basically invented modern bodybuilding call him an idol is the kind of full-circle moment Barstool doesn't need to manufacture.

Barstool didn't waste the momentum. Alongside the hug, the account pointed fans toward Frank's own page for more of the Schwarzenegger meetup and confirmed the next episode of his show is already locked in.

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@NjTank99 @Schwarzenegger New Frank Walks out THIS FRIDAY

Frank Walks has been running since 2023, built around exactly what the name promises: Frank walking and talking with guests, from athletes to celebrities, while he logs another day of the routine that's driven his whole transformation. It's low-concept by design, which is why a moment like this one, Schwarzenegger himself showing up on camera to praise him, hits differently than a typical guest booking.

The story here isn't really about a celebrity cameo. It's about a guy who got famous yelling about NJ Transit turning a personal health crisis into a daily habit disciplined enough to get noticed by the most famous bodybuilder alive. Friday's episode is the next data point in a story that's been building for 3 years, and after this weekend, it's got a much bigger name attached to it.