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FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) \u2013 20-year-old Riley Fernow is many things.<\/p>\n
A student at NDSU, a personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Moorhead \u2013 and as of Saturday, June 7th, the champion in the novice division for classic physique in the OCB Natural Spartan bodybuilding contest.<\/p>\n
OCB stands for the Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders, and what sets them apart is their strict adherence to natural regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are just here to donate our time and give back to the sport that we love, and really keep it as fair and as straight and as clean as we possibly can,\u201d explained Mike Allen, director of finance for the organization.<\/p>\n
That means no steroids \u2013 and urinalysis and polygraph tests to make sure nobody\u2019s cheating the system.<\/p>\n
Riley comes from a family in Enderlin, North Dakota, that he says was always focused on the wellness aspect of fitness \u2013 which is why he likes to do things the natural way.<\/p>\n
It still certainly isn\u2019t easy, getting one\u2019s physique to look like that for show day \u2013<\/p>\n
\u201cI really focused on cutting out water 16 hours before the show. It was brutal, I will say,\u201d he said with a laugh.<\/p>\n
But once the lights come up, the sensation is worth all the sacrifice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe second you\u2019re on there, it\u2019s almost like I\u2019m a different person. I\u2019m in the zone. In the moment.,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Riley says he\u2019s going to take some time off competing, planning to return at next year\u2019s Natural Spartan.<\/p>\n
For now, he\u2019s savoring his success \u2013 and the fact he got to share it with his clients and friends that came out to support.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing them out in the crowd, and listening to them cheer for me, just made all the difference. On stage \u2013 you probably saw me up there cracking up a little bit just from being super excited having them there,\u201d he said, smiling.\t<\/p>\n