DOTHAN, Ala. — Fitness has been a huge part of Scotty Cox’s life for 42 years.
He’s won world championships and been an innovator in the industry, but there’s one thing that means the most to him.
The Dothan native started his company Body By Scotty when he was just 17 years old.
The idea came about when an old boss noticed him giving nutrition plans to his friends for free.
He’s competed in bodybuilding and power lifting competitions all over the country, including being the first teenage Mr. Dothan, winning Mr. Alabama on his 40th birthday, and claiming two world championships in power lifting.
While Cox was proud of his success, something was missing.
“I’ve always known even when I was competing in bodybuilding, it’s such an ego sport, just me, me, me,” Cox said. “But I’ve always gotten more satisfaction out of helping others than I did myself. So I’ve always had that passion and desire to help others.”
After spending time competing in California he decided to bring his love of personal training back to the Wiregrass.
Now, he owns two gyms and trains local high school athletes.
“The first two guys I knew that started here were Austin Thrasher and Mason Hand and then after that there weren’t many baseball players here but it just started growing and growing because everyone’s seen the results,” BBS fitness client Landon Johnson said. “Those two guys play division one baseball now. I just think it’s really gonna help the kids around here.”
Many of Cox’s clients receive college athletics scholarships.
“You know, I tell them, ‘I’m guiding, you’re doing the work,’” Cox said. “They make it happen. It’s not about Scotty. It’s not. I’m just blessed with the opportunity to get to do what I love for 40 years and who knows how much longer. I said I was gonna slow down a year ago, and God says, no you’re not, and he gives me a 20,000 square foot gym in Enterprise so I don’t know what’s gonna happen next.”
The newest BBS Fitness in Enterprise happens to be at the exact location where he got his start managing gyms many years ago.
After four decades in the industry, Cox is still looking forward to training more people and hopes to open more gyms.
