Adapted with gratitude from Arnold’s Pump Club
We talk a lot about physical strength - about walking more, eating better, and building healthy habits. But there’s another kind of strength that’s just as important, especially today: connection.
In a recent post, Arnold Schwarzenegger reminded his readers that while loneliness is reaching epidemic levels around the world, one of the simplest ways to reconnect - and stay healthier - is to build your connection muscle.
The headlines tell a tough story:
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1 in 6 people worldwide experience loneliness (World Health Organization).
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1 in 3 Americans say they feel lonely every week (American Psychiatric Association).
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Younger adults and men report the highest levels of isolation (Gallup).
The message is clear - we’re more disconnected than ever.
Arnold’s advice? Don’t complain. Take action.
🏋️ The Gym as a Community
For Arnold, the gym was never just a place to train - it was where friendships were forged and community was built. From his early days lifting in Graz, to the legendary Gold’s Gym era with Franco Columbu and Dave Draper, the connections he made were as life-changing as the workouts themselves.
Even now, in his 70s, Arnold trains in public gyms, not private ones, because he values the energy, the conversations, and the sense of belonging. As he puts it:
“If I trained at home, I wouldn’t have met Stu and Leon, who showed me some of the best bagel places in LA.”
Arnold calls it training your connection muscle - stepping out, showing up, and building relationships through shared effort.
🚛 What This Means for Truck Drivers
Connection is medicine. And for drivers - who spend long hours alone on the road - it’s one of the most powerful forms of health there is.
Studies show that truck drivers experience depression at a rate 6.2 times higher than office workers. That’s not just a number - it’s a wake-up call. Long stretches of isolation, erratic schedules, and limited opportunities for social interaction can take a serious toll on mental and physical health.
Loneliness doesn’t just affect how you feel - it impacts heart health, sleep, and even life expectancy. But connection doesn’t require perfection - it just requires participation.
Start small:
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Say hello to another driver at a truck stop.
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Call a friend or family member once a day.
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Join a wellness challenge, like the Fall 2025 61-Day Step Challenge, to move and connect with a community that’s walking the same road toward better health.
The key is to show up - even when it feels uncomfortable. Just like lifting weights, connection gets easier and stronger with practice.
💡 Project 61 Takeaway
We train our bodies to be stronger. We can train our hearts and minds the same way.
Building your connection muscle might feel awkward at first - but like any good workout, it pays off.
Reach out. Say hello. Take that first step toward connection.
Because strength isn’t just about lifting more - it’s about lifting each other.
Originally published by Arnold’s Pump Club. Adapted and shared with gratitude by Project 61 to support the health, wellness, and connection of America’s professional drivers.