Natural Contest Promoter Profiles
Featuring the those individuals who work so hard promoting Natural Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness competitions and who share our enthusiasm and dedication to drug-free bodybuilding and fitness.

Bob Bell & Tina Smith

Promoter Names: Bob Bell & Tina Smith CaliforniaNaturalMuscle.org

Show(s) Promoted:

Capital City Natural BB & Figure Pro-qualifier in Sacramento, CA every July since 1998. New in 2010: IFPA Pro USA/California Natural Muscle Mayhem in Sacramento July 17th, 2010

Which Organizations have you promoted with?

NANBF/IFPA, INBF, NGA

Why do you choose to work with this organization?

We have always believed in natural bodybuilding, and feel that an organization needs to have staunch and consistent drug testing policies. We also believe that the integrity of an organization resonates with its promoters, and we have always done our very best to provide athletes with a well-organized and professionally run event. We competed ourselves, so we know that it’s important to treat each and every competitor with the respect they deserve, and make the competition a wonderful culminating experience for all of their hard training and dedication. The NANBF/OCB/IFPA is run by people just like us who love and respect this sport. There is a supportive approach from the chairmen, Fred Rowlett and Matt Shepley, as well as amongst all of the promoters which has now made it the strongest natural affiliate with the most events throughout the country.

How do you feel about the number of shows and different organizations that currently make up Natural Bodybuilding? Do you ever see a day when all of the major organizations will work together? Do you think the variety of organizations is good or bad for the athletes?

We do not like the number of different organizations, but there are conflicting interests and personalities which make working together problematic. In that we are both public school employees, and we have young twins, we only promote one event per year. We do refer athletes to other organizations all the time as we fully understand people want a place to compete. There are good and bad events within all sanctions anyway. We really believe that the NANBF/OCB/IFPA is the group with the best interest of all athletes at heart. This is not a business, nor an entity connected to a business/publication which can cause policies and decisions which don’t always benefit everyone involved. Having so many organizations is confusing for athletes, and it can be expensive when a competitor repeatedly has to spend money to join organizations in order to compete. It is great for athletes to have a number of events spaced throughout the year to make decisions of where/when to compete. Again, our decision to affiliate with the OCB/NANBF/IFPA allows us to be with the group offering the most competitions nationwide. With the help of our chairmen, we are planning to expand 4-6 more events in California by 2011.

What is your background in Bodybuilding and Fitness?

Bob has a B.S. in Exercise Physiology, and Adapted Physical Education teaching credential. He played a variety of sports growing up, and collegiate football. Bob started competing in bodybuilding in 1997, and gained professional status in 2000. He was a finalist in WNBF Pro events in 2001 & 2002. Tina is a school psychologist with M.A.’s in psychology and educational administration. She has also always been involved in sports, and played collegiate tennis. Tina started bodybuilding in 1996, and gained WNBF professional status in 1997. Bob & Tina have always worked to educate high school students about the dangers of performance enhancing drugs, and the important of fitness and a healthy lifestyle. They often present to high school sports teams and Physical Education classes about these issues. Bob and Tina also teach posing and precontest preparation classes in order to help people understand all that is necessary to compete.

How did you get started in promoting shows? What made you decide to become a promoter?

During the mid-90’s, we went to several shows run by a less than stellar natural organization, and were very frustrated by the way they treated the competitors. Drug-testing was not adhered to, shows ran late, venues were poor, ticket prices were extremely high, the trophies fell apart, etc. etc. We talked about the idea of promoting an event, and decided to speak with Sky Wild Dixon as the California NGA Chairperson. Promoting is a ton of hard work, although we really do relish in seeing people so happy to have a solid place to compete.

Tell us a little bit about the history of your shows, when it first started, how it has grown?

We began in 1998, and really did a lot of outreach to get people excited about natural bodybuilding. We spent a lot of time in gyms and at other competitions to determine what the athletes really wanted. We decided that it would be important to get gift bags for competitors, and to provide water, fruit, towels and gloves backstage, and to be ultra organized. The first year was so much work! We had 58 athletes. Dave Goodin (Texas Shredder) and Nancy Andrews gave us so much information and advice. Every year since, our show has grown and we now have an average of 90-100 athletes. We have established ourselves as a very organized and professionally run event that really caters to the athletes. Even with troubles in the economy, people continue to compete in, and attend our show. With the birth of our twins in 2005, we no longer compete nor frequent as many contests as we used to. Although, we are so happy to experience the excitement of bodybuilding through others, and are really thrilled to bring more NANBF promoters to California!

Who were your mentor(s), if any when you started promoting shows and how did they help you?

Sky Wild Dixon originally welcomed us as promoters to the NGA in 1998. President, Andy Bostinto was always very encouraging and supportive to us early on as well. At Tina’s first WNBF competition in 1998, we met Dave “Texas Shredder” Goodin, and invited him to guest pose at our contest. He was incredibly helpful in terms of all of the specifics of promoting, and continues to be a dear friend. While competing with the WNBF we also developed a strong friendship with Nancy Andrews whom has always offered so much advice about promoting as well as the sport of bodybuilding overall. Currently, we are elated to be involved with the NANBF and Fred Rowlett, as well as the IFPA with Matt Shepley. Fred and Matt are so very supportive and encouraging, and are incredibly well versed in the sport of natural bodybuilding. We are thrilled to be part of such a positive team, and look to grow our sport even more in the West.

What are some of the challenges you have had to deal with as a promoter?

In that we are educators, not business people, it is often difficult for us to raise the funding to produce an event. Sponsors are limited, particularly in terms of cash contributions, so it has often been a strain on our family to promote a show. It can be stressful if problems arise such as having a sponsor, or judge, or staff person be unavailable at the last minute. Luckily we have good friends and those who believe in our mission that have always been there to help. We develop relationships with the competitors, and truly want everyone to have a positive experience. We’ve often helped to find posing suits, tanning, music, etc. etc. for athletes. One year, a guy from Seattle couldn’t get to the hotel from the airport, so Bob paid his taxi fare. We sort of become mom and dad to all, and end up taking care of people which is awesome.

What makes your show different from the others and why should competitors choose your show?

Our events are very professionally run, organized, and cater to the athletes. We really put so much time and effort into every detail. There is always a positive mood at the contest, and we really want competitors to enjoy the experience. Competitors will always receive gift bags, resources backstage, nice awards (including participant medals for everyone), and every single person will enjoy their time to shine on stage no matter how long the show runs. We try to keep entry fees and ticket prices affordable as well.

What are some of the most memorable moments from your show?

The 2009 event was the most memorable just because of the positive energy from all. It was the first time we sold out the 800-seat performing arts center. Most of the audience stayed through the whole show, and the Men’s overall was stellar. There really weren’t any glitches at all, and every single person seemed to enjoy their experience.

What are some of the funniest moments from your show?

Kind of funny….Tina MC’ing from a stool while 7 ½ months pregnant with twins! Some of the competitor antics are funny to look back upon like a guy leaping off of the 7 foot stage into the audience, and a female showing off her new breast implants backstage. However, we always conduct ourselves professionally, and really do expect the athletes to do so as well!

If you could do it all over again...what, if anything, would you do differently? What do you wish that you knew then that you know now?

We think our changing of sanctions has always been a learning experience in terms of getting to know different people’s ideas and insights about promoting natural bodybuilding. We do wish we could work more collaboratively across sanctions, and we’re striving harder to do that now. It’s interesting that the people we credit the most in helping us promote successful shows were all originally with the NGA, and now Andy Bostinto remains their chairman, Nancy Andrews continues with the INBF/WNBF, and Dave Goodin promotes for the NPC. Our show has and always will be known as “Bob & Tina’s show” more than any affiliate because we put so much personal attention into it. It’s important to get to know people, and we love to share their experience of bodybuilding. Sometimes, we’re so busy with all of the aspects of the show, that we neglect to find time to just see people on stage and enjoy it!

How do you drug test at your show? Polygraph or urinalysis? All competitors, class winners or random.

We polygraph all competitors prior to the contest, and urine test the open winners.

Is your show judged by weight class or by height class. Why did you choose the method you use?

The NGA and INBF had used weight classes. This year with the NANBF we will be using height classes. This is great actually as competitors often stress about making a particular weight division.

How do you select your judging panel? What qualifies someone to be a judge at your show?

We have always had Wade Brown as our head judge. Wade has judged bodybuilding shows for over 20 years, judged us at shows, and taught us how to judge. We have worked to build a solid panel of other professionals whom take the role very seriously as well. We spend a lot of time in training judges, and making sure that we have a diverse panel of men and women, bodybuilder and figure competitors, as well as local and out of the area judges. A person must first test judge at our show, attend all meetings, and maintain a certain efficiency (80%) in order to be asked to judge again. Additionally, we compensate our judges very well and truly appreciate their very important job.

What advice do you have for competitors getting ready for the show, on the day of the show and after the show is over?

Competitors really need to be prepared to compete, and that’s why we’ve taught posing classes for over 10 years. Posing is so very important! On the day of the show, we always remind people to relax, enjoy themselves, and get to know others. We’re such a small cohort, you’ll always run into people again. After the show, we warn people to watch their binge eating, and to enjoy the other aspects of life that they neglected in getting ready for a contest (family, other sports and hobbies, etc)

What the your contact info and website for your show?

Web: www.CaliforniaNaturalMuscle.org
Phone: (916) 354-1769
Email: cnm@califironianaturalmuscle.org

What new ideas do you have for your upcoming shows?

Hosting a Pro show this year is going to be phenomenal. The level of athletes within the IFPA is remarkable, and we can’t wait for more people to see these competitors. In effort to help the sport grow even more, we are currently working with 4-6 New promoters in California to bring even more quality natural competitions. As Fred and Matt have done for us, we will support these promoters in any way possible to help the sport grow.

When is your next show?

IFPA Pro USA ($10,000 cash prizes!) & NANBF California Natural Muscle Mayhem on July 17th, 2010

Who are the folks you would like to thank for supporting your show?

Everyone from judges, to sponsors, and the folks who help out backstage. Each and every athlete whom we’ve had the pleasure to meet, and all of the audience members who come to cheer and continue to support our sport. To Dave Goodin and Nancy Andrews for all of their advice about promoting for over 10 years, and to Fred Rowlett and Matt Shepley for their current support and inspiration to make our next 10 years even better!