California State Senate Bill 37

Natural Bodybuilding At It's Best!!

To: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

From: Tina Smith & Bob Bell

Re; Senate Bill 37

     My husband and I are employees of the Elk Grove School District (school psychologist and adapted physical education specialist), and we are also professional natural bodybuilders (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation; who annually have a booth at your Arnold Expo in Columbus). We run an amateur competition here in Sacramento as well, but our primary mission is to educate students about the dangers of steroids and other performance enhancing substances. We are part of the Sacramento SAFE KIDS coalition, and we present free informational seminars to local high school physical education classes, sports teams, and their parent meetings to discuss these issues.
     As you are aware, steroids are rampant in our gyms and sports competitions, and are easily accessible to teens. The percentage of teens that have tried steroids is at an alarming 10%, and we must make changes here in effort to preserve not only the health of athletes, but also to maintain the integrity of sports (the current demise of baseball being a great example of this problem). Bob and I present sound fitness and nutrition information to teens so they realize that they can improve their physiques and performance without the use of drugs. We feel that over the past several years that we have reached a number of teens, however the passage of SB 37 would greatly help this cause. Educating coaches is imperative as they influence and mold many young athletes. The principles that Bob and I present regarding training and nutrition as bodybuilders are new to many coaches. We always eschew the use of any supplements to kids, and address the use of food supplements such as protein bars and shakes as well. The WNBF has banned hormone precursors since 1999, and we have read a great deal of research evidence that such "andro" products can be unhealthy. The ban of ephedrine also occurred within the WNBF before the FDA took it off the market, and we were deeply concerned several years ago about how many teens were abusing ephedra.
     As this measure (SB 37) is again in the senate, we sincerely hope that you will sign the legislation. You are the most famous bodybuilder of all time, and you know how ugly our sport in particular is perceived due to steroid abuse. Drugs are obviously rampant in the Olympic competitions, MLB, NFL, etc as well.   We must educate and empower young people to achieve naturally, and there must be some deterrent, unlike with professional athletes, so that teens will make better life choices. You are the most powerful person in the world in terms of making a difference on this issue. It is time to take a stand Arnold, and work toward stopping the idea of cheating when kids are young. Bob and I work tirelessly at our mission to make teens healthier, and to not buy into our society's profound love of "magic pills" and a "win at all costs" mentality. Please help us by signing SB 37 this time.

Sincerely,

Tina Smith & Bob Bell
(916) 354-1769
Email to wnbfcal@ranchomurieta.org