“Mission accomplished!” Joseph wrote on his Instagram account, where he shared photos of his official poses with his followers.
Baena’s path to success was a nearly decade-long process of dedication in California.
In another interview with People, the bodybuilder recalled that his connection to physical activity began as a way to prioritize his health.
“We all start somewhere, but taking the first step is the most important thing,” said the 28-year-old, who found his first contact with the world of exercise in school swimming.
While he is now known for his muscular physique, the road was difficult. Baena recalled that his relationship with sports stemmed from a very different reality. “Sometimes people forget that I was chubby in high school,” he explained. He even suffered sporting disappointments: “I was kicked off the basketball and soccer teams because I couldn’t keep up with the other guys.”
That lack of physical performance led him to seek refuge in a discipline that didn’t impose any barriers to entry. “Fortunately, there were no selection trials in swimming and that changed my life forever,” he added.
On the other hand, he opened up about the times he felt like an outcast because of his physical appearance: “I was bullied as a child, in elementary school, in middle school, and not so much in high school, but at first I felt like an outsider.”
What hurt him most was that the attacks came from his inner circle. “My closest friends were the ones who bullied me the most and made fun of me for being overweight and things like that,” he continued.
This experience was what spurred his transformation. “It was a huge struggle for me to find myself, to discover and develop the motivation to change my weight and my physique,” he concluded at the time.
His preparation for this debut was under the direct supervision of his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who at 78 years old still maintains an active routine. The former governor of California gave him advice on symmetry and aesthetics so that his performance on stage would be flawless.
On another occasion, Baena expressed to the aforementioned media outlet his pride in his Latin roots. He also clarified that he sought to forge an identity based on his own effort and financial independence. “I hope people will know and respect me for my own achievements,” the athlete stated.
Currently, he divides his time between selling luxury properties at Aria Properties and recording studios, while also working diligently on his physique at the gym.