Lee Andrew Priest McCutcheon is a former Australian IFBB professional bodybuilder and NABBA professional athlete.

He’s one of the most recognized Pro bodybuilders not only in Australia but in the entire world. Lee is famous for his achievements at a very young age, winning his first show at only 13 years of age, and turning IFBB Pro by the age of 20.

The Australian is known for causing a lot of controversy with his honesty regarding delicate topics, such as drug use and religion.

Accomplishments

Racing Career

Apart from bodybuilding, Lee is also known for his enthusiasm for speed and driving racing cars. He started racing when he was 32, having won many races and titles in road racing, drag racing, and circle track.

His most notable successes took place when he won the SCEDA Racing Championship in 2006, in California, and Rookie of the Year in 2005.
Bodybuilding Competitions

1989 IFBB Australian Championships (1st)
1990 IFBB Australian Championships (1st)
1990 IFBB World Amateur Championships, Lightweight (4th)
1993 IFBB Niagara Falls Pro Invitational (9th)
1994 IFBB Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic (7th)
1994 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational (4th)
1994 IFBB Night of Champions (12th)
1994 IFBB San Jose Pro Invitational (7th)
1995 IFBB Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic (9th)
1995 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational (4th)
1995 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational (3rd)
1995 IFBB South Beach Pro Invitational (4th)
1996 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational (4th)
1996 IFBB San Jose Pro Invitational (6th)
1997 IFBB Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic (7th)
1997 IFBB Grand Prix Czech Republic (5th)
1997 IFBB Grand Prix England (6th)
1997 IFBB Grand Prix Finland (9th)
1997 IFBB Grand Prix Germany (3rd)
1997 IFBB Grand Prix Hungary (3rd)
1997 IFBB Grand Prix Russia (9th)
1997 IFBB Grand Prix Spain (3rd)
1997 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational (2nd)
1997 IFBB Mr. Olympia (6th)
1998 IFBB Mr. Olympia (7th)
1999 IFBB Iron Man Pro Invitational (6th)
1999 IFBB Mr. Olympia (8th)
2000 IFBB Night of Champions (5th)
2000 IFBB Mr. Olympia (6th)
2001 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational (7th)
2002 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational (2nd)
2002 IFBB Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic (4th)
2002 IFBB San Francisco Pro Invitational (1st)
2002 IFBB Mr. Olympia (6th)
2003 IFBB Mr. Olympia (15th)
2004 IFBB Ironman Pro (2nd)
2004 IFBB San Francisco Pro Invitational (2nd)
2005 IFBB Grand Prix Australia (1st)
2005 IFBB Arnold Classic (4th)
2005 IFBB Iron Man Pro Invitational (2nd)
2005 IFBB BBC Classic
2006 IFBB Ironman Pro (1st)
2006 IFBB Arnold Classic (6th)
2006 IFBB Grand Prix Australia (2nd)
2006 NOC New York
2006 PDI Night of Champions (1st)
2013 NABBA Mr. Universe (1st)



Biography

Growing up

Lee Priest was born in the city of Newcastle, Australia, in 1972, and was raised in Walls End with his older sister. He went to Plattsburg Primary School, and since an early age he showed an interest in bodybuilding.

His mother (Lynn Priest) played a huge role in his interest in weightlifting – she was also a bodybuilding competitor. Priest was only 12 when he started training, and his grandfather also helped him with the basics.

Only one year after he started training, Priest decided to compete for the first time. After giving everything he had into training, he successfully won the 1986 Sydney Bodybuilding Classic, an event that was the beginning of an incredible career for the Lee Priest.
Teenage Years

After he won his first show at the age of 13, Priest was hooked, this is when he knew it was something he wanted to do indefinitely.

Soon after, he competed in his second show and went on to win many other competitions during his teenage years. Eventually, he won the IFBB Mr. Australia 3 times in a row at the age of 17, 18, and 19.

Lee also competed at the IFBB World Amateur Championships, lightweight category, where he came in a respectable 4th place at 17 years old.
Pro Card

Due to his young age, Lee couldn’t win his Pro card in Australia, despite the fact he won The Mr. Australia title at the age of 19.

Because of the age restrictions in certain shows, Priest was forced to compete in other competitions, such as the Niagara Falls Championships. It was an amateur competition in which he entered and became widely recognized for the first time – this is where he earned his Pro card.

Winning his Pro card at the age of 20 was an event that marked Priest as one of the youngest bodybuilders to ever turn into an IFBB Pro.
Later Competitions

After the success of winning his Pro Card, Priest continued to successfully compete in IFBB shows for the next 16 years.

The Australian later started to compete in The Ironman Pro, and after many attempts of placing second and third, it was at the age of 34 that Priest finally won the prestigious title.

However, Lee wasn’t only successful in The Ironman Pro – he also placed and won in numerous other competitions, some of them included the 2002 IFBB San Francisco Pro Invitational, where he took home 1st place, and 2nd place in the 2004 IFBB Ironman Pro, and 1st place in the 2005 IFBB Grand Prix Australia.

One of his most notable achievements is when he placed 6th in 2002 Mr. Olympia at the young age of 25. Lee’s impact on bodybuilding was seen across the world, and after many years, he had a contest named after him – The Lee Priest Classic.



Life Outside Bodybuilding

Priest wasn’t only a legend in bodybuilding, he also competed in car racing events. He had an impressive record when it came to track racing.

Besides winning numerous smaller races, Lee’s most notable achievements is when he won the Rookie of the Year in 2005, and SCEDA Racing Championship in 2006.

Lee was also a part of several TV and movie projects where he guest starred in podcasts and appeared in local Australian TV shows. Priest was also featured in various promotional ads.

The Australian is known for his honesty and openness about many controversial topics, which made him unique in the world of bodybuilding. He openly admitted the use of steroids, and even mentioned how, and, how much he would use. Priest is also an outspoken atheist.

Idols and Influences

According to Lee, his favorite bodybuilders, and idols in general are Dorian Yates, Paul Dillett, and Nasser El Sonbaty.

Priest says that he has a lot of respect for the guys with the “freakier physiques” and that’s what he’s always tried to emulate.