Lee Priest exclusive interview

Giants in the fitness industry loom over athletes creating waves of fear; which in turn creates an undeniable amount of butt kissing within the industry. Somewhere along the gray lines, even the greatest of competitors in the history of bodybuilding have bent over and taken one for the team, or for a higher placing. Lies and truth are divided by this hazy line, but there is one athlete that has not faltered in his beliefs, or stifled his voice to appease the industry standards. This man is Lee priest.

Priest is 5’4” of mountainous muscle, and has a mouth with no filters. He seems to have little care for political correctness and is honest as it gets when it comes to bodybuilding. Is this a bad thing? Perhaps; when it comes to the political aspect of bodybuilding, but as a fan and supporter you can’t help but love him for saying what’s on his mind.

Priest, also known as “The Blond Myth,” has been cast as a rebel because of his outspoken personality, but that has not stopped him from succeeding in his career. His career has carried him from winning early adolescent competitions to competing on the holy stage of the Olympia.

You’re known to disregard all political correctness, and your candor is off the charts. It’s obvious you say what’s on your mind, but have you ever said something you really regret saying? Is there one you wish you could take back; whether it was personal or career related?

No, I have never said something I regret saying. I say things that I think. If you ask me a question I will answer it honestly on any subject. It is how I have been all my life. I always found it funny you get labeled a rebel or trouble maker just for being truthful or giving your truthful opinion.So again, no everything I have said I have no regrets for saying it.

Speaking of honesty, years ago a man sent you a Dear Lee note in a muscle-mag, and stated he trained six days a week, and was exhausted.  You told him to “fire the wanker” (his personal trainer) and start listening to his body. In role reversal; every personal trainer or prep coach wants to fire a client, but most do not act on it. Have you ever fired one of your clients? Were there fireworks? Did you feel uplifted?

Yes, people should fire their coaches if after some time you are not making changes or feel crap. Sure, it's not always the trainer. A lot of clients bitch and moan and don't follow diets etc., and complain. Yes, if that's the case, the trainer can fire them, but most do not because they will be happy to take the client's money and not really give them 100% attention. As for me, I have never trained people. I was a pro athlete who made money from being a pro like pro athletes should. If you are a pro, and you’re having to work a job to make money, then hell, give the pro card back...You don't see other pro sports with their athletes in baseball, golf, football out working jobs to make a living so they can play to fund what they love to do. But that is a whole other question :)

Recently Masters male bodybuilder Steve Kapper died at the 2012 NPC Excalibur, and his death set off more negative reactions to the sport. Some believe bodybuilding is a quasi-sport at best, and cannot understand how anyone would push themselves to this level.  As you know, this is not the first or last bodybuilding death that will occur, but what is your take on competitors losing their lives over the sport?

In all extreme sports where you push the limits you will have deaths. Car racing, mountain climbing, sky diving, football; all sports have deaths. But, the fuckwits in this industry or people on the net; you die in bodybuilding, “Oh it's steroid related.” Hell, you get sick they say it's steroid related. Most of the year bodybuilding is a healthy sport if you eat healthy, train, cardio etc., even if you use steroids (I said use, not abuse) big difference. You can go through the sport without dying, but some people go too far abuse drugs, get too lean, then add in diuretics etc.  And yes, deaths can occur. They say Steve had a heart attack. Millions of people have heart attacks, even healthy people, so you can't say it was steroid related.  All that shit talk comes from the internet giants who wouldn't know the first thing about training, or diet,or what it's like to be on stage. Yes, there will be more just like in any other sport, and people who don't do sports. NEWS FLASH: They also die.

In September it was announced that you are a new World Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (WBFF) athlete, and plan to compete in the WBFF World Championships next year. There was some playful banter on the WBFF Facebook fan page, but what makes this competition so different from others?

All competitions are different. You have different judges (thank God), different people you’re up against, but the competing aspects are still the same; prep is still the same. It should be a good show.  Let’s hope I am there.

Ingrid Romero, David Kimmerle and Obi Obadike relinquished their WBFF procards not long after you joined the WBFF team. Romero and Obadike reported that Paul Dillet did not deliver on his promises, and both stated they will move to the NPC to continue their bodybuilding careers. Do you have any concerns about your future with the WBFF because of these claims?

Oh, these fucking cry babies, please. They didn't place where they wanted to place and got upset. Haven't heard anything from them for awhile now so I guess their careers are going well. Obi, well, what can you say? Him and all his self-pointed titles he has given himself. Mmm, wonder who he loves...Yes, it's good to be confident but Obi goes over-board. Ingrid Miss-oh-I-have-been-doing-this-how-long 6 months was it? She is a dime a dozen. Next, David, don't really know his story or couldn't care less, but if they think they are going to the IFBB to be judged fair, and no politics over there; well they are in for a surprise. You say their careers? Really, what careers? Did they, have I, or anyone has never heard of these people, legends in their own minds? As for me, my future isn't in the WBFF.  My future is what I do now. My competing has no impact on my future goals or dreams. I have done it all. I will compete for fun and I was promised nothing so I don't have a problem with these claims from a bunch of poor losers.

Every competitor wants a free tip for a bodybuilding competition. They want to know what to eat and how much cardio to do, but it’s rare that an athlete gives solid advice on what not to do. If there is one thing a competitor should not do, what would it be?

Listen to a lot of people.  People ask so many people the same questions and get a different answer; then they fuck up. It’s bodybuilding, it isn't rocket science. Work it out for yourself. You want to get big, eat a lot of food, bust your ass in gym and get plenty of rest. You want to lose weight do cardio, train hard, rest and eat low fat foods. Like I said, it isn't hard. People try and make it too complicated when it isn’t. People think there is a secret or special drug etc.; WRONG. It comes down to hard ass busting work, day in day out, for years. Yes, years. You will have to make sacrifices. No partying, staying up late drinking doing recreational drugs etc. this is if you want to win and be the best. If you’re going to do it then you must commit 100% for years; not 80% or 95 % ...and this is where most people go wrong as they don't commit 100%. And they come up with excuses to why someone else who has committed is better than them. You can be strong, look strong but the strongest muscle is your mind in this sport. If you don't have it up there then forget it. Pick another sport, or just do it for fun.

Great thanks to Lee Preist for doing this interview. For more information on Priest's supplement line please click here, or check out his official Facebook fan page.  He can also be contacted at assassin_nutrition@yahoo.com.au.