October 4, 2004

It started off GREAT! I got to the gym at 5:00am. Scottie Bell was there ready to go. He looked great...
On September 25th he had fulfilled a dream and competed in "The Mountaineer", an NPC Bodybuilding Contest.Scottie did well, placing 4th in the Novice Heavyweight Division. It was a tough class and the other guys were "ON"...
He took the following week off(from work and training) to rest and spend time with his family. Scottie was spent. Competing for a contest like that is hard for ANYBODY. Working for the cable company up to 12 hours(and more sometimes) a day, with a newborn and a sick wife. Christine was in the hospital twice during Scottie's contest prep. His grandmother passing away and getting sent out of town for 2 seperate weeks gave Scottie PLENTY of incentive to give up and not compete. Something drove him. He had a dream....
Scottie would ask me sometimes..."Do you really think I can do it?" All I could say in response was, "I don't know Brother. This all depends on how bad you want it. I honestly believe if you want it bad enough, you can do anything!"
He would tell me..."It's just one of those things, you know...I want to do at least once before I die."
The guy would train like a beast at 5:00am daily. Back after 8-12hrs at work for more cardio. His stray from diet was occasionally, because of work, he missed a meal. Once he gave in and had a slice of pizza. He logged his food and activity for me daily. His commitment and dedication was amazing.
I've trained around some of the best athletes in the world. I haven't met anybody that has had that much desire before in my life. Not to win. Just to DO IT! Brother just wanted to honestly say "I did the best *I*(Scottie) could!"
He did! He was bigger, stronger, leaner and harder than he had ever been. It amazed me, the dramatic difference in his physique. He definitely did the best that he could!
We got close during his training, Scottie became a true friend. We had been through some of the same life struggles and found out we had a LOT in common.
The weekend of "The Mountaineer" was awesome! I didn't make it to Boone until late. I had to close the gym that Friday night before. Needless to say when I got there, Scottie was like a 10yr old on Christmas Eve. He was this close to making his dream of competeing on a bodybuilding stage come true! He was READY!
I was as anxious or more than him, to be honest. I had seen the effort that he put in. I watched him keep going when most would have given up.
After pre-judging, I was so worried. I knew he was 4th and it scared me that he'd be "defeated". Maybe he wouldn't see the tremendous accomplishment of him doing his best.
He came straight up to me afterwards, grinning from ear-to-ear, saying "BRO! THAT WAS AWESOME!". He to knew he was 4th. He just enjoyed it so much. Now he wasn't "blown away" by the competition. They were harder and a little leaner. But Scottie had ABSOLUTELY nothing to be ashamed of. Especially considering where he started from and all he had contended with.
He wanted to go talk and come up with a strategy to do better at his next show. I told him we had plenty of time for that. I just want you to enjoy this experiance right now. We did. We had a blast!!
Of course, the night show blew his mind. Morrison Production goes all out on the stage and presentation of their events. He was hooked. Happy that he had fulfilled the dream, but ready for the next challenge.
Scottie was anxious to get better. He reminded me the day after the show that he had promised his family a vacation and some together time. He was taking the next week off, but he'd see me Monday, October 4th at 5:00am. READY TO GO!
He was there. We started out doing a little cardio and reliving his dream. Then we had a great workout. He fell into my split and it was time for my arm workout. I was on 2 a days and was doing ams(am) and chest(pm).
After the workout, we discussed "The Plan" over our MRP breakfast. I recommended to continue leaning out. Then we'd put on size going into the next show. It was a good thing that he had fulfilled his dream and stepped on stage. But now it was time to GetRight!
It was almost 7:00 and he ran out to get to work. I'll see you in the morning he said "We gonna GetRight!"
Later that afternoon on October 4th 2004, I was warming up for my afternoon training session, when I got the phone call. A mutual friend of mine and Scottie worked at the same cable company. He called and asked had I heard about Scottie.
I was like nah, what's up? He informed me that Scottie had gotten electricuted on a main power line and he wasn't going to make it.
Felt like I got shot in the gut! There was no way! The world lost a GOOD MAN that day.

Scottie Bell had been through some stuff, but he was a good man, husband, father and FRIEND! Thank God he fulfilled that dream when he did! And that I was able to be a part of it!!
I miss you BRO! Just want you to know "The Plan" is back in effect! I will carry it on. If you've read this far, you've already seen where I got the name for GetRight! The memory of Scottie and his dedication is what helped me from my hole.
Remembering the relationship that we had as friends from training. Thinking back at his accomplishment and the victory I was able to share with him acheiving his goal with fitness, is what made me want to start back helping others find life through fitness.
My mission is simply to help as many people as I can to GetRight! It is a better life today, because we are never guaranteed tomorrow.
I'm planning to do a tribute to Scottie on stage next year. I promise to do the best that I can!

R.I.P. Scottie Bell 10/25/69-10/04/04 I miss you Bro! Thank God, I'll see you again...