Lee Priest, an Australian bodybuilding icon, has been an eye-witness to the evolving landscape of the sport. Recently, on the IFBB AMA YouTube channel, he delved deep into the increased dependence of younger bodybuilders on performance-enhancing drugs and voiced a pointed observation on the controversial topic of “roid rage.” Addressing the matter, Lee Priest stated, “Steroids don’t give you roid rage. That’s you.”
“Now, young kids they want it overnight, people think they can get big overnight, become a professional overnight, and sadly now, some do turn professional overnight because they’ve made it so easy to turn pro,” Priest explained.
Then came a shift in the bodybuilding scene, and Lee Priest noticed it clearly. He warned that too many young athletes now expect overnight success. Moreover, he criticized how easy it has become to turn professional. This trend, he said, threatens the depth and dedication that once defined the sport.
Meanwhile, throughout his IFBB Pro League career, Priest refused to be intimidated by size. Even when lined up beside giants like Ronnie Coleman, Flex Wheeler, and Dexter Jackson, he held his ground. Above all, his sharp conditioning and precise muscle definition made him a force to be reckoned with.
Finally, after a short break from the sport, he came back strong in 2006. Quickly, he claimed victories at the New York Night of Champions and the PDI Night of Champions. In the end, his journey came full circle with a win at the NABBA Mr. Universe in 2013.
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Priest: An Unwavering Voice in Bodybuilding
Beyond his achievements, Lee Priest remains deeply engaged with the bodybuilding world, candidly sharing his insights and experiences. His straightforward and often raw opinions on subjects, ranging from past drug cycles to discussions on divisions like the 212, make him an influential figure whose views resonate with many in the community.
Lee Priest Take on “Roid Rage”: “You Want to Blame It On the Steroids”
The Australian bodybuilding stalwart, Lee Priest, recently took to the IFBB AMA YouTube channel to address the contentious topic of “roid rage.” Cutting through prevailing myths, Priest expressed a firm stance: “Steroids don’t give you roid rage. That’s you.”
He draws a parallel between an individual’s temperament when inebriated and the so-called “roid rage,” suggesting that just as alcohol amplifies underlying personal traits, any aggressive tendencies experienced while using anabolics are more a reflection of one’s intrinsic character than the steroids themselves. Essentially, Priest postulates that blaming aggressive behavior solely on steroids is a simplistic and misguided viewpoint.
“If you’re having roid rage, it’s because you’re a fucking asshole. It’s like there are people that drink, they drink, they become violent drunks. Some people drink and they become happy drunks. Steroids don’t give you roid rage. That’s you. You want to blame it on the steroids,” said Lee Priest.
“Not once did we discuss drugs cycles. There might have been on a big board or a bodybuilding.com board, maybe one subject about PED usage, but that was it. Now, fast forward 10-15 years or so, that’s all you cunts ever talk about. Now, I’m not saying all of you. But if you look at message boards, ‘I wonder what cycle he’s on. I wonder what gear he’s on. Tren this. Tren that.’ When I look at the people who are writing this, generally half of them don’t have the genetics, they don’t have it up here [the mind] or the heart.”
“They’re not willing to do what it takes. When I say do what it takes, that doesn’t mean take fucking drugs. Train fucking hard till you puke, till your sick. My whole life I never went to nightclubs, eat, slept, trained, got a job, and went to work till I got sponsors. Then, I didn’t have to work, I just had my sponsorship deals. Eat, sleep, train. If you want something that’s what you got to do.”
Today, Lee Priest sees a shift in the bodybuilding scene. Now, more people openly discuss drug cycles than ever before. Yet, he warns that this trend often breeds misconceptions.
Moreover, he stresses that mimicking the cycles of icons like Ronnie Coleman won’t guarantee the same results. In his view, there’s far more to building an elite physique than following a drug blueprint.
Above all, Priest reminds athletes that success depends on a mix of factors — diet, training, genetics, and sheer dedication. In the end, it’s a holistic approach that separates the truly great from the rest.
“Things have changed. We’ve made it easier to turn pro, drug cycles are more talked about than ever before. Which to this day, I still can’t understand because I’ve said it hundreds of times till I’m blue in the face. Knowing what I take, what Ronnie took, what Chris Bumstead took, what anyone takes, how does that help you? You can take exactly what Ronnie took to if you want to be a freaky bodybuilder and never look like Ronnie.”
“I don’t know what the rush is. You see so many people who are taking drugs. We’ve all seen them, taking large amounts. Are they going to be Pro? No. Could they win a local show? No. I just wish there wasn’t so much emphasis put on drugs. When I was growing up you had the magazines, and all you saw was hardcore training articles.”
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The Decline in Bodybuilding Participation: Lee Priest Weighs In
In reflecting upon the evolving landscape of bodybuilding, Lee Priest expressed concern over what he perceives as a waning commitment among contemporary bodybuilders. Drawing from his own experience, Priest highlighted his rigorous competition schedule, wherein he took part in as many as 11 events within a single year. In contrast, he observes that many of today’s athletes appear less inclined to compete as frequently. This shift, according to Priest, might hint at a growing trend of complacency or different priorities within the bodybuilding community.
“Some don’t do cardio, I don’t get it. Then, what do you do during the day? Nothing, you just sit around? Getting lazier and lazier. Back then, look at all the shows that so many Pros did. Most Pros did a minimum of three or four shows a year. My top number was 11 shows one year but now you got guys doing one or two, if that, some guys just do one.
How can you learn anything from doing one show? The only way you can learn your body is to keep doing shows and improving. Do a contest, train a certain way, take certain things, if it didn’t work and there’s a show in a couple of weeks, change it up a bit,” Lee Priest said.
The Debate on Roid Rage: Perspectives from Legends
While the topic of ‘roid rage’ remains controversial, iconic figures in bodybuilding have come forward to share their insights. Lee Priest, known for his candid takes on industry issues, has been forthright about his skepticism surrounding the phenomenon. However, he’s not alone in this conversation.
Jay Cutler, celebrated as a four-time Mr. Olympia champion, joined the discourse, recounting his personal experiences with performance-enhancing drugs. Cutler emphasized that during his illustrious career, he never grappled with mood fluctuations attributed to steroids. However, he remained open to the idea that individuals might respond differently based on various factors.
The safety and wellbeing of bodybuilders have become increasingly pressing concerns, especially given the trend of younger athletes resorting to excessive steroid use. Echoing Priest’s apprehensions, Arnold Schwarzenegger, another titan in the sport, has also expressed worries about the trajectory of bodybuilding and the health implications associated with rampant gear use.
For a more in-depth exploration of this topic, the full IFBB AMA video is available for viewing below:
Overview
Australian bodybuilder Lee Priest recently addressed the increasing use of performance-enhancing drugs by young competitors on the IFBB AMA YouTube channel. Lee Priest debunked the myth of “roid rage,” asserting that inherent personality, not steroids, drives aggressive behavior. Priest lamented the shift in bodybuilding discourse from training to drug cycles and observed a decline in competition participation among modern bodybuilders. Echoing his concerns about steroids, four-time Mr. Olympia champion Jay Cutler shared his perspective, emphasizing varied individual responses to drugs. With health concerns mounting, figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger have also voiced apprehensions about the sport’s trajectory.
Featured Image – Lee Priest on Steroid Misconceptions:“If You’re Having Roid Rage, It’s Because You’re a Fuc**ng Assho**” – Credit: @LeePriestofficial72 @IFBB AMA (Instagram & Youtube)
