FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS-

Story by Peter Vuono, Title by John Donne

     One of my favorite movies as well as my son's is director Chris Bell's "Bigger, Stronger, Faster".
Every time we see it( and we watch it about 3 times per year), we go out to our broken down garage gym and train all the harder. The gist of the movie which is about the use of anabolic steroids is that steroids themselves are not the real villain; rather the true problem revolving around them is the "Win at all costs", attitude which has gripped America. Perhaps the most passionate and interesting character in the film is Chris Bell's older brother Mike.
    Mike was born in Poughkeepsie on March 18, 1971. He was the oldest of three brothers who relished sports and weightlifting. Mike excelled in football, powerlifting and professional wrestling. During the movie Mike was quoted as saying that he "Would rather be dead than average". Clearly, this feeling of inferiority plagued Mike as he had survived a suicide attempt. However, I think that the mistake that Mike had initially made is one that we all make. None of us is average. We are all made in the likeness and image of God.
     In addition to this, Mike had achieved a cache of  successes that only few can boast of achieving. He played division I football for the University of Cincinnati. He powerlifted  and built his body to Hurculean proportions and succeeded in working for the biggest wrestling organization of all time- the WWF.
    More importantly than this, he successfully found the right woman to become  his wife and life partner; something equally notable as all of the above. Mike's  fighting spirit to succeed never failed. He moved to a different environment, took on a new job,and became a teacher of pro wrestling . He revivified his life and succeeded in being the devoted husband, son and brother that he had always been. So you see; he had never really been average at all.
   When Mike tragically passed away on Dec 14, 2008 at the age of 37, his passing was greatly mourned by family, friends and all those who he inspired through the movie. However, we must remember that although his body ceased to function, his fighting spirit continued and never really gave up.
   Another great athlete who passed away in his 30's(Bruce Lee), once said"The key to immortality is by living a life worth remembering". I believe that Mike Bell did exactly that.

"Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know
for whom the bell tolls,
it tolls for thee."  - John Donne