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Born in Quito, Ecuador, Rene Endara grew up in United States in a single-parent household as the youngest of four children. His formative years were shaped in large part by his mother, to whom he credits his success. "Her strength has taught me the ability to overcome the worst obstacles," Endara said. "The ethical and moral values she instilled in me are what makes up my character." Rene's success in bodybuilding was evidenced once again this year at the 2000 NPC Junior Nationals in Houston, Texas, where Endara walked away with first place in the men's middleweight class, winning first-place votes from five judges. Next on his agenda is the NPC USA competition August 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he hopes to repeat his winning ways. Endara became interested in bodybuilding at the age of 13 while watching a competition on television. "I realized that day that hard work and determination were going to be the tools for me to rise above my situation and have a purposeful life," he explained. His 5-6, 125-pound frame needed a lot of work, and for financial reasons, a gym membership simply was not an option. Not to be denied, Endara improvised his workouts in the tough East Los Angeles neighborhood he knew as home -- curling gallons of milk to build his biceps, doing pull-ups with bundles of books tied to his waist, and running to school carrying a loaded backpack. Endara stuck with his schoolwork and went on to obtain a B.S. in exercise physiology from the University of Arizona in 1989. He now resides in the Palm Beach area of south Florida where he is self-employed as owner and CEO of Rene Is Fit, Inc., a company specializing in home training, anti-aging therapy and fitness club management. His recent competition achievements include first place in the 1996 NPC Ironman, first place in the 1997 Junior USA, third place in the 1998 and 1999 World Championships, and fourth place in the 1999 Team Universe Nationals. Endara is optimistic that his symmetrical, massive and ripped physique will carry him to bigger and better achievements in the future -- including being a role model for youth and leading America to a gold medal in bodybuilding at the 2004 Olympics. "Coming from the bottom and rising to the top is the challnge I thrive on," he explained. "I was the only boy to make it out of my neighborhood, and it is important for today's underprivileged youth to have a glimmer of hope. I want to be that star." Endara's web site is www.reneisfit.com. He can be reached by e-mail at reneisfit@aol.com, or by phone at 1-800-268-1371. |
