Rene started "Total Fitness by Rene" in the summer of 1988 after working for Dan Pruitt and Hillary Wagner owners of United Sports and Fitness on Bradford Street in Albany, New York.

His first fitness studio was on Lark Street, in Albany and included  training programs specializing in weight loss/sculpting, muscle weight gain/calisthenics.

He competed in local bodybuilding shows in Albany as a novice bodybuilder, rising quickly to become  a nationally ranked bodybuilder from winning several titles in New York, and the Eastern States. These titles included  1989 Mr. New York State, and the 1990 Mr. Eastern States, 1990 Mr. North America in Tarrytown, New York, and placing in the top 5 at the NPC Jr. Nationals. He went on through the natural bodybuilding circuit, where he earned his Professional Bodybuilder status  after winning the middle weight class, and the over-all trophy at the 1998 NGA Hercules in New York City at Pace University.  

In 2008 Rene graduated from the University of Albany and earned a double major B.A. degree in psychology, and with honors in sociology. The two degree’s have allowed him to organize his thoughts on how he could create ”Holistic Huntley”; a new venture based on applying holism with health and fitness.