Arnold Schwarzenegger © Courtesy Michael Muller/Zimmer B/Fortune/Reuters
“Los Angeles, 2029 AD. The machines rose from the ashes of the nuclear fire. Their war to exterminate mankind had raged on for decades…”
So begins The Terminator, the 1984 sci-fi action film that cemented Arnold Schwarzenegger’s place in Hollywood history. Now, the actor, former professional bodybuilder, and two-term California governor is embarking on a new mission—this time in a reality not so far removed from the dystopian future he once portrayed. After all, we’re fewer than 50 months from 2029, AI has woven its way into everyday life, and Schwarzenegger is joining the C-suite at a Fortune 500 medtech firm that manufactures smart knee implants and completed the world’s first robotic-assisted shoulder replacement surgery.
Zimmer Biomet specializes in orthopedic innovation, including smart knee implants and robotic-assisted surgeries. The company made headlines with the world’s first robotic-assisted shoulder replacement surgery, and Schwarzenegger is now its inaugural CMO.
“We know that ‘you rest, you rust,’” Schwarzenegger told Fortune. “As soon as you start getting inactive and sitting around, that’s the beginning of the end. Every medical and fitness study shows that the more we move, the healthier we stay—even something as simple as a walk after a meal can make a difference.”
As a seven-time Mr. Olympia champion, Schwarzenegger emphasized that you don’t have to be a competitive athlete to benefit from physical activity: “It’s about staying active in whatever way works for you.”
Encouraging Movement for Healthier Aging
In 2024, humanity is far from the brink of extinction. On the contrary, people are living longer and healthier lives. Life expectancy at birth jumped from 76.4 to 77.5 years between 2021 and 2022, while the average additional life expectancy for 65-year-olds increased to 18.9 years. Baby boomers, like Schwarzenegger, now 77, represented 17 percent of the U.S. population in 2022 and are projected to account for 22 percent by 2040.
Schwarzenegger is a strong advocate for keeping aging bodies in motion.
“For 50 years, I’ve encouraged people to exercise because I know how good it makes me feel,” he said. “The first thing I did this morning was hit the gym.”
Given his own artificial hip and extensive orthopedic history, as Zimmer Biomet’s CMO, Schwarzenegger aims to inspire people worldwide to stay active, supporting their health and wellness.
“I’ve had injuries, wear and tear, and joint replacements,” he shared. “There’s more artificial stuff in my body than you can imagine—I feel like the Terminator in real life. But I’ve maintained my physical quality of life and want others to do the same. I’m here to inspire people to say, ‘Hey, I’ve gone through it, and I’m not afraid of more replacements in the future. You shouldn’t be either.’”
Zimmer Biomet president and CEO Ivan Tornos says the company created the CMO position to address a larger movement.
“We’re representing a transformation,” Tornos told Fortune. “It’s not just about selling a product—it’s about encouraging people to take control of their joint health and pain management as they age.”
Schwarzenegger was a natural choice to lead this effort, said Tornos: “You want to terminate your pain? Bring in the Terminator.”
—Fortune via Reuters Connected
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