Marcell "Cellyfit" Brown
Name: Marcell Brown
Age: 36
Home location: Currently resides in Los Angeles, CA
Sport: Football player turned marathon runner turned mens physique competitor
Profession and educational background: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology - University of Arkansas
Currently owns and operates a personal training & nutrition company.
SPIRITUALLYBUFF: Hey, Marcell, how are you, man? It’s good to finally connect with you!
Marcell Brown: Hey, yes indeed. Thank you for the opportunity.
SB: Most def, bro. It’s always good to connect with brothers in iron and in the Faith.
Marcell: Yes, absolutely.
SB: So, according to your bio, this is your second year as a Men’s Physique competitor, right?
Marcell: Yes, second year.
SB: Well, what got you started?
Marcell: I actually got my start in men's physique by watching my older cousin compete, and then asking a ton of questions.
SB: Oh, that’s cool. So you had inspiration from within the family.
Marcell: Yeah, he saw something in me. I mean, growing up in Arkansas as a kid, there wasn’t much to do. I had some of those Weider weights and this book on working out. So that was my start on lifting. I Played football from Pop Warner until I got recruited to play college ball. I also played basketball and ran track. I’ve always been athletic. More recently, I’ve also ran the LA Marathon and competed in triathlons. And lifting was there in the background. My cousin inspired me and just kept telling me that, “You got it, you got it!” So I just told myself, “If I got it, then let me go ahead and get it!” Ha ha ha!
SB: Ha ha ha… might as well go ahead and get it then… hahaha.
Marcell: You know!
SB: So now, you’ve been in a physique competitor for a couple years, and you’re pretty accomplished already…
Marcell: Yeah, my biggest accomplishment has to be placing 1st in every class I've competed in so Far! Which is three 1st place finishes.
SB: Wow, my hats off to you! That’s awesome. What one or two things do you currently do in your training that is keys to your success?
Marcell: Currently I've learned more about the proper nutrition to implement for my body desired look. (Mainly carb intake)
SB: So, is the nutrition thing your biggest challenge?
Marcell: Well the biggest challenge I have overcome and my driving force for competing was the day I decided to stop drinking alcohol cold turkey, and replaced it with the gym.
SB: Wow that is awesome! So you used to drink pretty regularly?
Marcell: Well, it was one of those things, like if I had a bad day or something went wrong I felt like I needed a drink. I quit drinking in April of 2013. But now, the biggest challenge in Men's physique is to stay disciplined in the kitchen.
SB: Man, don’t I know it. Hahaha. What is your regular (not pre-contest) diet like?
Marcell: My normal diet is similar to my contest prep diet in the since of no-salt/sugar in the house, but i eat out a lot more.
SB: Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
Marcell: I've recently experienced a breakthrough in terms of bulking or adding size to my physique. I had to change my approach on cardio and my carb intake.
SB: Right… I mean there is a science to it all, but there’s always variations and tweaking…lol
Marcell: Ha! You got that right… always little adjustments.
SB: Now I read in your bio, that you’ve been a Christian since 10…
Marcell: Yeah, I grew up in the church and stood at the altar at 10 to be saved.
SB: And you currently attend… Hahaha… Go ahead and give a shout out to your church!
Marcell: Haha.. Yes! I attend Greater Faith Baptist in Los Angeles. Its near Florence & Normandy.
SB: Whoop woop! Hahaha.. So, Celly, How has bodybuilding impacted your faith?
Marcell: Bodybuilding has made my faith stronger! When I see how far God has brought me. This Game has taken me out of the club and into the gym! Also I've had the pleasure of meeting more powerful Men of God, like you.
SB: (In a fake British accent) Why thank you my good sir! Haha… And vice versa, how has your faith impacted you as an athlete?
Marcell: As an athlete, I take the same approach as I would in other areas in my life. Write the vision and make it plain, come up with a plan of action, pray for strength and wisdom to achieve.
SB: Now that sounds like a formula for success! And do you have a Bible verse that you try to live your life by?
Marcell: The Bible verse that I live my life by is: As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
SB: Proverbs 23:7…
Marcell: Yes…
SB: From where else do you draw your inspiration?
Marcell: My inspiration also comes directly from my Mom and my Dad. Two of the strongest people I know, who are goal crushers.
SB: So crushing goals runs in the family… hahaha. How do you set your goals?
Marcell: I pretty much set my goals by following the desires that God placed in my heart. I dream HUGE, work hard, and let God do the rest.
SB: Amen. That’s good. On that note I probably should let you go. It was great meeting with you today, anything else you’d like to share?
Marcell: Great meeting with you too… Thanks for the opportunity… The final thought that I’d like to share is that anything in life is possible with the right amount of hard work and dedication.
