Renner hits the stages with big success

It wasn't that Jeff Renner had a niche, but, more or less, it was the influence of other people that led him to bodybuilding, the sport in which he excels.

Renner, 37, won his class and took second overall in the seventh annual Heart of Illinois Championship last weekend, another victory to add to his well-equipped trophy case.

"I've got a garage full," said Renner, a Perryville native who now lives inJackson.

Impressive considering he has been in the sport for only about 15 years and competing mainly in the spring.

"I like doing them in the spring -- get the holidays out of the way and be able to focus on the diet for 10 to 14 weeks before the shows," he said.

Renner, a football player in high school before he blew out his knee, recovered and signed with Southeast Missouri State University to play football in 1987. However, all of Renner's football coaches, high school through college, seemed to tell him the same thing.

"They all said that I was in the wrong sport, that I should be in bodybuilding because of my build," Renner said. "Every one of them was interested in me becoming a bodybuilder. They all thought I could succeed."

So Renner took the advice, and succeeding has become an understatement.

"I got on with a friend who trained me for my first show, and I liked it so much that I stuck with it," he said. "I started training myself and preparing myself for the shows."

Wins to remember

In the past 15 years, Renner has had many big victories, but a few he is most proud of. He won the Show Me Naturals in 2000, taking his weight class and the overall title, a victoryhe is proud of because it was a natural bodybuilding competition, meaning that tests were done to detect steroid substances.

"Being natural is one of my big things. I will always stay that way," Renner said. "Steroids were always out there, and they always will be, but I am proud to have stayed away from them."

Natural shows are big stops for Renner, but what about when a natural bodybuilder goes into an unnatural competition?

"It is cool when you can do well in those shows, because they aren't drug free and you're still able to compete well against those who are taking the substances. It says a lot about the competitor's work ethic."

Renner has come close three times to gaining his natural professional ranks but has missed the clip every time.

"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride," said Renner.

Although bodybuilding is a big part of Renner's life, his family comes first. Renner lives with his wife, Bobbi Joe, and two children, Olivia and Jon.

"They do all right. I can understand when my wife blows up on me," Renner said with a laugh. "I get edgy also. The diet takes its toll on you. When you get around competition time and you have to eat six meals a day with hardly no carbohydrates, you have no energy. That leads to aggravation and frustration a lot quicker.

"The kids like it. They like to mess around with Dad a lot. We all hit some poses together. They both like to do it."

Back to business

But when Renner hits the stage, the fun and games become strict business.

"You have to get it done, gotta do your job," he said. "That means staying focused."

Renner loves the competition and will continue to strive to achieve the much-desired professional ranks, but in the meantime he plans to just have fun.

"If I make it professionally, then great. If I don't, oh well," Renner said. "I will continue no matter what. I enjoy doing it. I will keep chugging it out as long as I am having fun and enjoying life."