Movie star Dwayne ‘‘The Rock’’ Johnson is ‘‘blown away’’ by a mural in a Warrawong gym that features him and fellow fitness icon Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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Aventus Health and Fitness in Warrawong is the last ‘‘old school’’ gym in the area, according to 25-year-old owner Dan Murphy.
He bought the gym in mid-February and soon after got Melbourne artist Mark ‘‘Meataxe’’ Taylor to fly up and spend two weeks painting larger-than-life versions of both actors on one wall.
‘‘As a young boy I always wanted to own a facility, ever since I got into fitness,’’ Mr Murphy said.
‘‘I had mentors such as Arnold and The Rock, I would look up to them with their successes and where they came from.
In the mural, Schwarzenegger represented strength and confidence, while Johnson was the emotional side, Mr Murphy said.
Johnson, who is in Queensland filming a movie, has seen the mural on Twitter and tweeted that he was ‘‘blown away’’ and ‘‘honoured’’ by it.
‘‘To have my mentor and inspiration see the mural and appreciate it, that’s like a dream come true,’’ Mr Murphy said.
He also plans to go to Queensland to try to get Johnson to come to Warrawong and see the mural in person.
Until then, people will have to make do with the image of Johnson on the wall, which is proving to be quite a motivator for gym goers.
‘‘How can you not be inspired and motivated seeing those two on the wall,’’ Mr Murphy said.