Bikini and Heels frame Bodybuilding Bartender
The transformation of Black Canyon City resident, Renee Brown, began in 2001 when she stepped on a scale at a friend’s house and it read 200 pounds (“and I’m not really that heavy!”). Brown had been promoting her former husband’s fitness career, but from that moment on, she decided to make a happier, healthier life for herself. Trips to the gym for one-to-two-hour workout sessions became a regular part of her day. With a rigorous exercise schedule and a good nutrition plan devised by Richard Langlois of
RDL Training, LLC, she took off 68 pounds. When her weight went down to 132 pounds, she began to focus on toning and building muscle. Today, Brown’s weight hovers around 145 pounds when she is not competing.
In June of 2014, Renee competed in the West Coast Classic body building competition in Monterey Park, California. Brown brought home two trophies by placing second in her class and fifth in the open for her age/weight group. The second place finish qualified her for the opportunity to compete in a national-level event for a chance to earn a pro card.
Brown is a part of a growing trend in female competitive fitness (once more commonly referred to as bodybuilding). According to the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), there are now over 2,000 shows and events worldwide every year. According to the website, bodybuilding.com, women’s participation in competitive fitness witnessed a growth of over 150 percent last year. The sport itself, and the body types it promotes, continues to change over time.
Everyone wants to look great, but fitness models and bodybuilders rarely claim that their commitment to the sport is only for aesthetic reasons. Brown touts the personal growth she has experienced through creating a powerful body and a disciplined life. There are a number of health benefits to bodybuilding as well, such as increasing energy and decreasing susceptibility to common illnesses. Muscle and strength exercises reduce the risk of osteoporosis, arthritis, Type-2 diabetes and increase life expectancy.
Brown is now preparing for the NPC (National Physique Committee) USA National Championship in Las Vegas , Nevada, on July 24 and 25 of this year. Julie Owings is organizing a fundraiser for Brown to be held at the Javalina Crossing, 34441 Old Black Canyon Highway, (623) 374-9593, where Renee works her second job as a bartender (she has a full-time day job in Anthem). The fundraiser, to be held on Saturday, June 20, from 4-8 p.m., hopes to defray some of the costs of competition, such as room and board, spray tanning and those regulation bikinis and heels.
As a 45-year-old mother of three and grandmother of three, Renee will find it difficult to meet these costs on her own. The event will feature live music, a potluck supper, and a live auction. You can join in the fun and help support your neighbor by bringing a favorite dish, contributing to the auction, or just showing up. Donations for the auction, to be conducted by Raymond Owings, can be brought to the fundraiser, or, better yet, contact Julie Owings or Renee Brown beforehand to arrange for pick-up.
For donations please contact Julie Owings 208-358-0367 or Renee Brown 602-908-3532.
Or you may also go on line to gofundme.com/reneenationals
Renee Brown is a Black Canyon City resident well on her way to fulfilling the goals she has set for herself and, by doing to, serves as an inspiration to others. Renee hopes to finally get her pro card and open her own training studio so she can keep churning out the inspiration.
