​Lee Priest: Exploring His Career, Achievements, and More

If you’re a fan of bodybuilding or even slightly curious about the sport, you’ve probably heard of Lee Priest. Known for his incredible physique and straightforward personality, Lee Priest has become a legendary figure in the bodybuilding world. With a career spanning decades, Lee’s achievements are as impressive as his dedication to the sport.

This article aims to provide a complete guide to Lee Priest’s life and achievements. We’ll cover everything from his training routines and competition history to the personal stories that have shaped his career.

Short Summary

• Early Beginnings: Learn how Lee Priest started his bodybuilding career as a young talent in Australia.
• Career Highlights: We will talk about the major competitions and wins that defined Lee’s career.
• Training Tips: Discover the training and diet secrets behind his impressive physique.
• Challenges: Find out about the controversies and obstacles Lee faced along the way.
• Ready to begin your own bodybuilding path? Try Androvar™, our top recommended supplement, and start with confidence.

Who is Lee Priest?

Lee Priest is a well-known bodybuilder from Australia. His real name is Lee Andrew McCutcheon, but most people in the bodybuilding world know him as Lee Priest. Born on July 6, 1972, in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, Lee started training in bodybuilding at the young age of 12. By the time he was 13, he had already won his first bodybuilding competition.

Throughout his career, he has participated in many major bodybuilding contests, including the Mr. Olympia competition. Lee has always been admired for his intense training routines and dedication to the sport.

Lee is not only recognized for his physical achievements but also for his candid and sometimes controversial opinions on the sport. He has been a strong advocate for the rights of athletes and has spoken openly about the challenges and issues within the bodybuilding community.

The Early Life of Lee Priest

Lee Priest was born on July 6, 1972, in Newcastle, Australia, into a working-class family. Growing up in Wallsend, Lee was exposed to bodybuilding early on, as his mother was also a competitor in the sport. 

With her support and the guidance of his grandfather, Lee began training at the age of 12. By 13, he had competed in his first bodybuilding competition and won.

Early Achievements

After his first win, Lee was hooked on bodybuilding and knew it was something he wanted to pursue indefinitely. He continued to compete and win numerous competitions throughout his teenage years. 

At just 17, 18, and 19, Lee won the IFBB Mr. Australia title three times in a row. At 17, he also competed in the IFBB World Amateur Championships in the lightweight category, where he finished a respectable fourth.

The Road to Professional Bodybuilding

At 19 years old, Lee Priest once again won the Mr. Australia title. Despite his success, he was not granted his professional card in Australia due to his young age.

Determined to take his career to the next level, he moved to California at 20, having already gained more than 70 pounds of muscle during his teenage years. There, Lee entered the Niagara Falls Championships, an amateur competition where he was discovered and awarded his professional card. This made Lee one of the youngest men ever to turn IFBB pro at just 20 years old.

IFBB Career and Mr. Olympia Debut

Lee Priest’s professional bodybuilding career spanned 16 successful years. He made his Mr. Olympia debut in 1997 at the age of 25, placing sixth in a highly competitive lineup. 

Notably, he finished ahead of Ronnie Coleman, who would go on to win his first of eight Mr. Olympia titles the following year. Lee also competed in the Ironman Pro, where, after several attempts at placing second and third, he finally won the prestigious title at the age of 34 in 2006.

Controversy and Challenges

The year 2006 was both famous and controversial for Lee Priest. After winning the Ironman Pro and placing sixth at the Arnold Classic, Lee faced a two-year ban from the IFBB for participating in events not sanctioned by the federation. 

He had competed in and won the Night of Champions (NOC) and the NOC Britain contests, which were organized by Wayne DeMilia and his Pro Division Inc. (PDI), an organization that was in direct conflict with the IFBB. Wayne De

Ban and Aftermath

Following the two-year ban, Lee Priest decided not to renew his IFBB membership, expressing a lack of interest in continuing to compete. In 2010, the ban resurfaced when the IFBB threatened to suspend all athletes participating in an event in Norway if Lee was allowed to conduct seminars there.

Return to the Stage

After a seven-year break from competitive bodybuilding, Lee Priest returned in 2013 to compete in the NABBA Mr. Universe, where he won the overall title as an amateur. The following year, while on tour in the UK, he made a special guest appearance at the 2014 Universe Championships.

In November 2014, Lee Priest joined MuscleSport Magazine and started writing a monthly column for both their online platform and print magazine. Priest stayed active as a contributor to various podcasts and videos through RxMuscle. He was also featured on the cover of their Winter 2015 issue.

Lee Priest Now

Lee Priest has retired from professional sports, but he stays active in other areas. According to his Instagram, he has a keen interest in scarification and tattooing. 

He also runs his own show on YouTube. Between 2015 and 2019, he appeared in several movies, including "Dumb Criminals: The Movie," "The Skydiver & the Scarecrow," "Domino Boys," and "Round Trip."

Lee Priest: Beyond the Bodybuilding

Lee Priest is not only known for his bodybuilding achievements but also for his passion for racing. He began his racing career in 2002, starting with road racing and circle track events. 

By 2004, he had moved on to drag racing. Lee won numerous races and titles in both road and circle track racing, but his most notable achievements came in drag racing. He earned the Rookie of the Year title in 2005 and followed that up by winning the SCEDA Racing Championship in 2006.

Lee has also ventured into television and film. He did bodywork for The Hulk movie and its video game adaptation. In 2011, he made an appearance in the Australian TV series Rescue Special Ops and was featured in promotional ads for Big Brother Australia in 2012.

Lee Priest: Complete Competitive History

• 1989
  • IFBB Australian Championships - 1st Place
• 1990
  • IFBB Australian Championships - 1st Place
  • IFBB World Amateur Championships, Lightweight - 4th Place
• 1993
  • IFBB Niagara Falls Pro Invitational - 9th Place
• 1994
  • IFBB Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic - 7th Place
  • IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational - 4th Place
  • IFBB Night of Champions - 12th Place
  • IFBB San Jose Pro Invitational - 7th Place
• 1995
  • IFBB Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic - 9th Place
  • IFBB Florida Pro Invitational - 4th Place
  • IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational - 3rd Place
  • IFBB South Beach Pro Invitational - 4th Place
• 1996
  • IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational - 4th Place
  • IFBB San Jose Pro Invitational - 6th Place
• 1997
  • IFBB Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic - 7th Place
  • IFBB Grand Prix Czech Republic - 5th Place
  • IFBB Grand Prix England - 6th Place
  • IFBB Grand Prix Finland - 9th Place
  • IFBB Grand Prix Germany - 3rd Place
  • IFBB Grand Prix Hungary - 3rd Place
  • IFBB Grand Prix Russia - 9th Place
  • IFBB Grand Prix Spain - 3rd Place
  • IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational - 2nd Place
  • IFBB Mr. Olympia - 6th Place
• 1998
  • IFBB Mr. Olympia - 7th Place
• 1999
  • IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational - 6th Place
  • IFBB Mr. Olympia - 8th Place
• 2000
  • IFBB Night of Champions - 5th Place
  • IFBB Mr. Olympia - 6th Place
• 2001
  • IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational - 7th Place
• 2002
  • IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational - 2nd Place
  • IFBB Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic - 4th Place
  • IFBB San Francisco Pro Invitational - 1st Place
  • IFBB Mr. Olympia - 6th Place
• 2003
  • IFBB Mr. Olympia - 15th Place
• 2004
  • IFBB Ironman Pro - 2nd Place
  • IFBB San Francisco Pro Invitational - 2nd Place
• 2005
  • IFBB Grand Prix Australia - 1st Place
  • IFBB Arnold Classic - 4th Place
  • IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational - 2nd Place
  • IFBB BBC Classic - [Result not listed]
• 2006
  • IFBB Ironman Pro - 1st Place
  • IFBB Arnold Classic - 6th Place
  • IFBB Grand Prix Australia - 2nd Place
  • NOC New York - [Result not listed]
  • PDI Night of Champions - 1st Place
• 2013
  • NABBA Mr. Universe - 1st Place

Lee Priest's Training Routine

Lee Priest emphasizes overall muscle development and doesn't favor any specific exercises or body parts. His approach centers on high-volume training, focusing on sets and reps to stimulate muscle hypertrophy effectively.

Priest believes that building muscle requires strength, which means performing sets of exercises with no fewer than six repetitions. Like many professional bodybuilders, he follows a split routine, integrating abs and calves at the end of each session.

Weekly Training Schedule

• Monday: Legs
• Tuesday: Back
• Wednesday: Shoulders and Biceps
• Thursday: Chest
• Day 5: Arms

Lee Priest's Nutrition

During his off-season, Lee Priest can gain as much as 75 pounds while bulking, yet he consistently manages to achieve peak physical condition for competitions. Despite his admitted love for junk food, he understands the importance of managing his eating habits to support his muscle-building goals. For Priest, proper nutrition is essential to maximize the benefits of his intense training regimen.

When dieting, Lee prioritizes eating clean and is highly disciplined about cheat meals. During his cutting phase, he adheres strictly to his meal plan, avoiding unhealthy foods. Priest advises consuming six full meals daily, every 2–3 hours for optimal strength gains.

Lee’s daily diet is rich in healthy foods. For protein, he eats tuna, lean steak, chicken breasts, whey protein, and eggs to help his muscles recover and grow. He gets his carbs from cream of rice, pasta, oatmeal, bread, and rice, which give him energy for tough workouts. 

To keep his diet balanced, he eats fruits like oranges, bananas, and apples and healthy fats from almonds, cheese, milk, and flax oil. Lee also makes sure to eat lots of vegetables, including salads, broccoli, green beans, and asparagus.

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FAQs: Lee Priest

Q: Who is Lee Priest?

A: Lee Priest is a renowned Australian bodybuilder known for his impressive physique and successful career in the sport. He began competing at a young age and has won numerous titles, including multiple IFBB Mr. Australia championships and a sixth-place finish at the Mr. Olympia.

Q: What controversies has Lee Priest been involved in?

A: Lee Priest has faced controversies throughout his career, including a two-year ban from the IFBB due to his participation in unsanctioned competitions. He has also been open about his use of anabolics, which has been a topic of debate in the bodybuilding community.

Q: What are some of Lee Priest's major bodybuilding accomplishments?

A: Lee Priest's notable achievements include:

• Winning the IFBB Mr. Australia title multiple times.
• Placing sixth at the Mr. Olympia in 1997.
• Winning the Ironman Pro in 2006.

He has also competed in various other major competitions throughout his career.

Q: What is Lee Priest doing now?

A: Currently, Lee Priest has retired from professional bodybuilding. He is active on Instagram, where he shares his interests in scarification and tattooing. He also hosts a show on YouTube and has appeared in several films, including "Dumb Criminals: The Movie" and "The Skydiver & the Scarecrow."

Q: Who is Lee Priest's wife?

A: Lee Priest has been married twice. His first wife was Canadian bodybuilder Catherine LeFrançois. They married in 2000 and divorced in 2005. He later married Rachel Goodban.

Q: What is Lee Priest's height?

A: Lee Priest is 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall.

Q: What is Lee Priest's net worth?

A: As of 2024, Lee Priest's net worth is estimated to be around $1 million.

Conclusion

Lee Priest is a well-known bodybuilder from Newcastle, Australia, born on July 6, 1972. He started training young and quickly gained recognition, winning the IFBB Mr. Australia title three times by age 19. Throughout his career, he competed in many prestigious events, including Mr. Olympia, where he placed sixth in 1997.

Despite challenges like a two-year IFBB ban and height criticism, Lee's dedication helped him succeed in bodybuilding. 

In conclusion, Lee Priest's journey highlights the hard work and determination needed to succeed in bodybuilding. His rise from a young competitor to a legendary figure inspires many, showing that with passion and perseverance, anyone can achieve their goals.

About Other Bodybuilders, You Might Be Interested In

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• John Brown Bodybuilder: His Journey, Achievements, and Competition History
• Mighty Mike Quinn Bodybuilder: His Life, Career, and Cause of Death
• Robert Frank Bodybuilder: How He Became a Social Media Sensation
• Is Sam Sulek Natural? Unveiling the Truth
• Larry Wheels' Bicep Injury: His Journey, Recovery, and Muscle-Building Tips
• The Fitness Journey of Ross Dickerson: Biography Training, and More
• Ronnie Coleman Before Bodybuilding: The Rise of a Legend

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Priest
• https://www.greatestphysiques.com/male-physiques/lee-priest/
• https://old.dr-muscle.com/lee-priest-bodybuilder-age-height-net-worth-wife-more/
• https://alchetron.com/Lee-Priest
• https://en.24smi.org/celebrity/104462-lee-priest.html

Image Credits:

• https://www.instagram.com/leepriestofficial72