In 2025, Jeremi Dierenfeldt, a registered nurse in Medical Oncology at Mosaic Cancer Care, and his wife, Danielle, entered the Iron Ticket Contest, a challenge from famed actor and former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fitness app, The Pump Club. “I’ve been a massive Arnold Schwarzenegger fan since I was a kid,” Jeremi says. “Working out with him has truly been a bucket list goal of mine for a long time.”
From March to September, Jeremi lost over 50 pounds using the app’s tools. His hard work paid off – he won the contest! “Being able to experience the Iron Ticket with my wife, Danielle, made it that much sweeter.”
When Jeremi found out he won, he was stunned. “I couldn’t believe it,” he says. “I had worked very hard for this; I envisioned it, and when it became a reality, I was absolutely on Cloud Nine.”
Meeting The Austrian Oak
The big day finally arrived. Jeremi met his hero — Arnold Schwarzenegger, the youngest person ever to win the Mr. Universe title — and worked out with him.
“It was absolutely incredible,” Jeremi says. “He’s one of the most famous and successful human beings to ever live, but he is so kind and down-to-earth.”
Arnold even shared advice, offering tips on proper breathing during exercises, proper form and getting a good stretch and flex with the reps, which Jeremi did under Arnold’s supervision.
When it was Danielle’s turn, the advice was the same, especially in terms of her breathing. “He said I need to breathe through my exercises,” says Danielle. “I have a tendency to hold my breath at the top of a movement. He said that puts unneeded stress on your heart.” Instead, Arnold suggested she take a big, exaggerated exhale.
This was Danielle’s second time chosen to workout with Arnold — she won a similar contest in 2019 through Ladder, a supplement company Arnold co-owns.
Sharing memories post-workout
“I gave Arnold a couple of my Army patches from one of my deployment uniforms, and we hugged,” Jeremi explains. Years ago, Arnold visited troops overseas, and Jeremi got a photo with him at that time.
“I truly never thought I’d see him again. I’m glad I was wrong.”
A new approach to health and fitness
Although both Jeremi and Danielle say the Iron Ticket trip changed their health and fitness journeys in different ways, Danielle, an elementary school principal, admits that a proper eating routine is the most difficult part of maintaining the healthiest version of herself.
“There are days I don’t get to sit down and eat lunch or get a lunch until 4:30 p.m.,” says Danielle. “There are so many treats. Ensuring I reach my daily protein to help me feel full and resist the temptations can be difficult some days!”
Jeremi echoes Danielle’s thoughts, explaining how difficult it is, ironically, to stay healthy as a health care professional. “There is no shortage of unhealthy food around nearly every day at work,” he admits. To stay on track, both Danielle and Jeremi have a “no excuses” mindset.
“I wake up early to get my workouts in before work,” Jeremi says. “I walk the trail behind the cancer center during my lunch break, even when it’s freezing outside. A lot of people think I’m nuts, but I hold myself accountable.”
“I look at working out as part of my day,” Danielle says. “I schedule it in and adjust things as necessary to ensure I get my workout in. There are many days that can be incredibly stressful as an elementary school principal, so working out is a stress reliever for me. Movement helps handle my stress, feel better and gives me time to shut out the busy world.”
This experience changed Jeremi’s outlook. “I will continue to lead by example when it comes to health and fitness. I want to inspire and help as many people as possible,” he says. “Arnold told me, ’The workout was the reward, but now the responsibility starts – continuing to inspire others and be mini-Arnolds.’”
Looking ahead
Jeremi’s resolution for the new year is simple: “I will maintain what I’ve worked so hard for. It’s only forward from here, and I’m never turning back.” His advice for others? “Start now, don’t say, ‘I’ll start after blank.’ People overestimate what they can do in the short term and underestimate what they can do in the long term. Progress, not perfection,” Jeremi says.
Jeremi hopes his story inspires others. “My hope is that people can say, ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’ Life is an adventure. Enjoy it, have fun, and be positive. Dreams come true by putting yourself out there and with hard work.”
