by Christian Duque
Bodybuilding followers everywhere in the world have taken to the message boards and teams to speak concerning the departure of Lee from RX. The announcement despatched shockwaves all through the game’s most fanatical adherents. The truth of the matter is that legends like Lee are few and much between. It is a man that has a observe file of standing as much as the person it doesn’t matter what. He by no means takes a backward step and he all the time speaks his thoughts. The followers respect that stage of transparency in a sport that’s sadly tormented by hustlers and con males.
Generally the best factor you possibly can hear is the reality. Generally the reality isn’t fancy and possibly it isn’t all that thrilling however it’s the fact and Lee has all the time been a person of the reality. Although at occasions he is probably not an enormous fan of mine, I’ve all the time been an enormous fan of his for the easy undeniable fact that when push involves shove, that’s the sort of man you need in your nook.
Lee has continually put all of it on the road to face for what he believes is true. I believe his addition to RX made all of the sense on the earth provided that that web site is all the time the holy grail of hardcore bodybuilding. Sadly all good issues should come to an finish and when information got here out of the departure it despatched shockwaves all through the health business. Now the query is what’s subsequent for this legendary bodybuilder that dominated three federations in NABBA, the PDI, and the IFBB? Nobody can ever neglect how a lot harm this man did and all of the whereas he was barely 5’4. If you consider the quintessential large killers, guys like Lee Priest come into play.
Lee completed Prime 6 within the open Olympia. And never simply any Olympia both, however again when the Olympia was all about dimension with class. These guys have been monsters. This was the heyday of Ronnie Coleman and Chris Cormier. These guys hit the stage with large quantities of muscle, deep striations, and vascularity not like something we have now seen within the final 20 years. Lee was battling with guys that outweighed him by a very good 50lb and have been typically as a lot as a complete foot taller than him. However along with his killer forearms and his will to win he was a formidable opponent on any stage that he acquired on. He even beat Chris at San Francisco and was capable of give even the easiest of the very best a run for his or her cash.
That historical past has not been misplaced upon in the present day’s followers. They keep in mind it warmly and nonetheless to this present day they need for the day they might see Lee make a comeback to the skilled bodybuilding world. Even at nicely over 50 years of age he would nonetheless current a really actual menace to any competitor in 2024. This isn’t to say that the fellows in the present day are inferior to the fellows in yesteryear however it’s to say that Lee stays very aggressive no matter his age and no matter how lengthy he has been off the stage.
I’ve to say that what Lee has been capable of accomplish as an everyday contributor to RX Muscle has been nothing wanting superb. The followers have actually found the humorous aspect of this extremely gifted bodybuilder. It’s one factor to have an amazing physique but it surely’s fairly one other to have the ability to be entertaining for an hour. It’s very troublesome to have the ability to keep on the air whether or not co-hosting with another person or typically with 10 different folks. Lee has been capable of present that he can give you materials on the fly and he can preserve a present fascinating regardless of how lengthy it’s. This isn’t one thing that simply any bodybuilder can do. Many individuals truly consider that he could be superb as an MC however sadly he has burned so many bridges due to the very fact of his sheer honesty that it could be troublesome for him to land these sorts of jobs.
That being mentioned I believe any promoter would have a blockbuster competitors if Lee was on the microphone. He would know precisely the way to preserve the viewers engaged, he would know the way to preserve the athletes within the zone, and he would actually present a world-class manufacturing. Nevertheless politics would by no means permit it at the least not anytime quickly. And sure, Lee could be among the many first to inform you that politics is a factor in bodybuilding.
The truth of the matter is that Lee is simply not making the cash. In response to his personal phrases he’s uninterested in placing in all the hassle to actually stroll away with nothing. Everyone knows that he’s a gifted broadcaster and everyone knows that he is without doubt one of the greatest entertainers within the sport of bodybuilding, nonetheless no one ought to work without cost. Whereas many individuals thought Lee might have been kidding, I completely perceive the place he’s coming from. I like bodybuilding but when bodybuilding didn’t pay me and didn’t preserve me afloat I in all probability wouldn’t do the entire work that I do. In a really possible way, time is cash and hobbies are hobbies however you possibly can’t spend appreciable quantities of time every week on a pastime. You simply can’t do it in the actual world.
Lee is someone that could be very gifted and really proficient so if the cash isn’t there coronary heart and keenness can’t fill within the void indefinitely. If he actually is transferring on and has discovered a profession that’s going to reward him for his efforts then I say extra energy to him. I want that podcasting might give him the sort of residing that he desires but it surely looks as if it simply can’t this present day.
Bodybuilding followers everywhere in the world are in utter disbelief. Many followers have taken to social media in tears hoping that the Australian legend is the truth is simply bluffing. I believe he feels their ache however should do what’s proper for him and his household. like I mentioned a pastime is ok if it’s simply an hour or two every week. If you put within the sort of time {that a} podcast requires week in and week out, that’s not a pastime. That’s mainly a job. a job that doesn’t pay you but it surely requires a truckload of your effort and time. I don’t assume it’s all that shocking if the cash isn’t there – the curiosity goes to subside.
Let’s see what occurs. Solely time will inform. I’ve a sense that Lee will work out a solution to dangle in there, however why ought to he? He must be paid the correct means. I don’t know what association he has with RX or different podcasts. Getting a $100 per video once you’re at Lee’s stature is a bit iffy.
After we had IronMag TV, most of our exhibits acquired $75 to $300 per episode – and that was in 2017. In response to CPI Inflation Calculator, $300 in 2017 is equal in buying energy to about $375 in the present day, a rise of $75.42 over 7 years.
A few of our former prime expertise have been making almost 4x what Lee purportedly makes per look in the present day. $100 in 2017 is okay however in 2024 for a man on Lee’s stage is fairly low cost.
Once more, if the cash isn’t proper, nobody is forcing him to do it, however think about if he’s on a 2-3hr present and all he will get is $100. He might do higher working a shift at Walmart saying hello to folks that stroll in. If he’s doing it out of affection of the game – nice. If he’s doing it to complement his earnings, he’s not going to be supplementing it a lot.
Nobody ought to query Lee’s love of bodybuilding, although; all of us must make a residing. If he’s simply joking – nice. If he’s not, nobody can provide him shit for desirous to receives a commission higher cash.