PROFILE
Bernadette Rosen, Milton, and Ata Johnson
TRI-FITNESS’ MILTON MCBRIDE ROSEN
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
By Bernadette Schimnowski Rosen
NFL players Doug Williams (Super Bowl MVP), Milton, and Greg Roberts
26
Natural Muscle Magazine
Holiday 2016
O
ver the last 20 years, thousands of athletes
Rosen went on a date with Milton’s sister Pico
have challenged themselves in the sport
and she told Bruce her younger brother was in
of Tri-Fitness. This sport was founded by Al
a home and it was his birthday. Bruce went and
Rosen, a former gym owner, football and track
picked up Milton and couldn’t believe the living
coach, physical education teacher, pro wrestler
conditions or Milton’s physical condition (Milton
and trainer. When questioned about why and
was just 69 lbs). After taking Milton to Circus
how come Tri-Fitness, Rosen states: “I wanted
World for the day, Bruce went home and spoke
to create a sport which was challenging, inspiring
to Al about what he had done that day and about
and accomplishable; one of the events being an
Milton. He had learned Milton was destined for
obstacle course. Everyone has been challenged
the State Mental Hospital in northern Florida as
by obstacles in their lives, thus I related this
the foster parents were giving him up. Al said he
obstacle course to being like life.” Rosen or
wanted to meet Milton and it was all history from
“Coach” as thousands of people know him goes
there. After meeting Milton for 2 minutes and
on and explains when he thinks of obstacles he
seeing how much love Milton had for their 4 dogs
reminds himself of MILTON.
it was mission on – or maybe “mission kidnap.”
Milton McBride Rosen was a 15 year old boy
Al and Bruce had opened a gym (3rd gym in
with Downs Syndrome who was living in a dirty,
Tampa), the Boddy Shoppe Gym about 2 months
dingy foster home in Tampa as his parents had
earlier. They were two 25 year old gym owners,
died. On May, 21, 1977 his life changed. Bruce
night club bouncers and now they were a father