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Renee Landers, a 72-year old bodybuilder, recently had an impressive showing in three bikini categories at the NPC Lee Labrada Classic. But it hasn't been all plain sailing for the American, who has suffered with back issues her entire life and even had spinal surgery in her late 50s.
Landers recently appeared for an interview on The Honest Channel on YouTube where she shared her journey from a mum and a businesswoman to a professional bodybuilder. Tracing her history of back problems, she said:
"I actually had some back problems that went back into my late 20s and 30s and I just struggled through it you know for years. But when I got into my mid-50s my body was just telling me you know, you're gonna have to do something." [2:10]
Landers' back issues became so severe tha doctors even advised her to stop running:
The doctors some years ago said 'stop running!' because I was a big runner when I was in my 30s and I had to stop that." [2:38]
Landers went on to explain the surgery she had at the age of 58.
"I had spondylolisthesis (overlapping of the vertebrae), I ended up having a fusion of my L5 and S1. That surgery was done when I was 58," she said. [3:46]
Landers was warned that without surgery she risked ending up in a wheelchair and wouldn't be able to run her business or take care of her son. The 72-year-old recalled that recovery and rehabilitation took a whole year.
"I did not even start lifting weights until I was 60 years old" - Renee Landers
The doctor who gave Renee Landers hormone replacement therapy during menopause also introduced her to her current trainer. He was an expert in training people with injuries and was also the one who advised Landers to get into professional bodybuilding. Landers began lifting weights in her 60's and entered her first competition at the age of 69.
"I did not even start lifting weights until I was 60 years old, after a lower lumbar fusion! I did my first competition at 69 years young… I have so far completed 9 shows, and earned my GBO pro card this past summer!" Landers wrote on Instagram.
Here is some sage adice from Renee Landers to anyone who thinks they're too old to do anything worthwhile (via The Honest Channel on YouTube):
"That's what people need to remember. Do not limit yourself because of your birth year."
