Gustav never permitted his sons to exist as allies. He intentionally engineered a ruthless sibling rivalry between Meinhard, born in 1946, and Arnold, born a year later in 1947. Gustav organized footraces, boxing matches, and curling games where the boys fought for paternal favor. The winner received praise; the loser faced ridicule and chores. Gustav openly favored Meinhard during their early childhood, believing his elder son possessed greater natural athleticism and a sharper intellect, while frequently questioning Arnold's parentage due to physical dissimilarities.
The psychological toll fell unequally on the two boys. Meinhard was sensitive, introspective, and artistic by nature. He internalized their father's attacks, carrying deep emotional wounds that eroded his self-esteem. Without an outlet for his distress, Meinhard turned inward, eventually finding solace in heavy drinking during his late teens.
Arnold developed a psychological armor of cold detachment. Rather than seeking Gustav's approval, Arnold channeled his rage into an obsession with leaving Austria entirely. Weightlifting became his physical and mental fortress. By pumping iron in the cold gyms of Graz, Arnold transformed his body into an impenetrable shield, refusing to let his father's words break his spirit. One brother absorbed the blows until they crushed him from within; the other weaponized the pain into fuel for departure.
