Lee Priest

Lee Priest
Professional bodybuilder
Priest discussing pectoral flys in 2024
Personal info
Nickname	The Blond Myth
Born	(1972-07-06) 6 July 1972 (age 53) Newcastle, Australia
Best statistics
Height	162.5 cm (5 ft 4 in) [1]
Professional (Pro) career
Best win	IFBB Ironman Pro 2006

Lee Andrew McCutcheon (born 6 July 1972), known professionally as Lee Priest, is a retired IFBB bodybuilder.

Early life

Priest grew up in Wallsend, Australia. An avid Superman fan ^[2] he started training at the age of 12 with the help and support of his mother (who was also a bodybuilding competitor) and grandfather.

Career

Priest won IFBB Mr. Australia at 16 and competed at the World's Championships at 17, where he placed fourth. At 19 he again won The Mr. Australia title, but was not allowed to get his pro card in Australia because of his young age. Because of this, he moved to California at 20. ^[2] After Niagara Falls Championships where he placed ninth, Priest was discovered in America and was given his pro card. He became one of the youngest men ever to turn IFBB pro at the age of 20.

Priest then competed regularly at IFBB pro shows. His best placements at the Mr. Olympia were sixth place in 1997, 2000 and 2002. He also emerged fourth at the Arnold Classic in 2002 and 2005. He registered his best win in 2006, winning IFBB Ironman Pro.

Because he competed in the Night of Champions (NOC) and the NOC Britain contests that were promoted by Wayne DeMilia and his Pro Division Inc., in 2006 Priest received a 2-year ban from the IFBB. Following the ban, Priest neglected to renew his IFBB membership due to his lack of interest in continuing to compete. ^{[3] [4]}

Following a seven-year absence from competitive bodybuilding, Priest returned in 2013 to compete in the NABBA Mr Universe where he won the overall title as an amateur. ^[5]

Post retirement

Upon retirement, Priest joined MuscleSport Magazine in 2014 and began writing a monthly column. ^[6] He was featured on the cover of their Winter 2015 issue. ^[7]

In 2015 NABBA and World Fitness Federation hosted Lee Priest Classic Australia 2015 which was held in Sydney. A second Lee Priest Classic event was held in the UK in conjunction with Muscle Promotions UK and sanctioned by WFF International.

Priest starred in the 2018 horror short film Round Trip. ^[8]

Priest is also an avid racing enthusiast.

Physical statistics

• Height: 162.5 cm (5 ft 4 in) ^[9]
• Weight: 89–102 kg (196–225 lb)(contest shape) to 113–129 kg (249–284 lb)(during off-season) ^[9]
• Arms: 20 3⁄4 in (52.7 cm) (contest shape) to 21 3⁄4 in (55.2 cm) (during off-season) ^[9]

Training videos

• The Blonde Myth (1998)
• Another Blonde Myth (2001)
• It's Not Revenge (2006)

See also

• List of male professional bodybuilders

References

1. Timothy Coola (1 March 2018). "Lee Priest". www.greatestphysiques.com. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
2. Merritt, Greg. "Lee Priest, The Early Years: Advice and Full Workout". The Barbell. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
3. "Bob Cicherillo - Lee Priest Debate Continues | Muscle Sport Magazine". www.musclesportmag.com. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
4. "Latest Pro Bodybuilding News: Drama In The Federation: IFBB & Demilia Clash!". Bodybuilding.com. 31 May 2004. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
5. "2013 NABBA Mr. Universe: Show (DVD)". GMV Bodybuilding.
6. "Muscle Sport Magazine Lee Priest - Muscle Sport Magazine". Muscle Sport Magazine. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
7. "Muscle Sport Magazine Winter 2015 - Muscle Sport Magazine". Muscle Sport Magazine. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
8. Olson, Chris (11 April 2018). "Round Trip short film". UK Film Review. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
9. "Lee Priest Pro Bodybuilding Profile". Bodybuilding.com . Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2015.

External links

• Lee Priest Competition history