Funny you asked this question.. 1) I bet a lot Volnation posters have run into players but haven't shared due to this type of "back hand" compliment/question.
2) I do not pretend to hold any stature or place, but if your asking how (in this case) a poster see's/meets athletes at a gym... then I can help.
This is how it works, one goes to a gym many times a week and there to for is more likely to meet athletes in training.
Marcus Bagwell, Hulk Hogan, Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, Jerome Bettis, countless UGA players (here in GA).... I have worked out with multiple times. It doesn't seem far fetched to me.....