Lee Priest on the health of Chris Bumstead: "It's good to see someone can bounce back in time."

Lee Priest: On the life and health of Chris Bumstead after retirement

Known for his outspokenness, Lee Priest is never shy about commenting on bodybuilding's biggest stars. In a YouTube video posted on January 24, 2025, he shared his opinion on Chris Bumstead's life and health after his retirement.

Chris Bumstead has quickly become a dominant force in the Classic Physique category. In 2019, he finally defeated Breon Ansley to win his first Classic Physique Olympia title. As the pressure mounted, he seemed to steadily improve under the lights of the podium.

Now Bumstead is retired as the reigning six-time Classic Physique Olympia champion. In his last appearance in 2024, he faced a challenge from Mike Sommerfeld, who managed to win two of the five judged poses on the podium. In the end, however, Bumstead prevailed due to his massiveness, proportions and impeccable form.

Although Bumstead unexpectedly announced his retirement right on stage, he changed his mind a few days later. He announced his last appearance at the EVLS Prague Pro 2024, but instead of his usual Classic Physique category, he decided to try the Men's Open. In the final he competed against Martin Fitzwater and eventually took second place. His performance stunned the entire bodybuilding community, including Lee Priest.

In a recent YouTube video, Lee Priest challenged Chris Bumstead to enjoy life after his bodybuilding career. Thanks to the fact that he is now co-owner of the clothing company Gymshark, Priest says he doesn't have to worry about financial problems.

Lee Priest tells Chris to enjoy life now, the hard work has been enough

"Let him enjoy it. He's got a new baby, several businesses. I'm sure he's making a fortune just from the YouTube channel. Plus he bought a stake in Gymshark, the clothing company. He was with them and now he has their stock," Priestsaid .

According to Priest, Bumstead plans to stay in the fitness business and is even thinking about promoting the Classic Physique category that made him famous.

"He must be a multimillionaire by now. Just let him enjoy life. I'm sure he'll stay in the fitness industry. He has talked about supporting Classic Physique financially."

Because of the autoimmune disease Bumstead suffers from, Priest advised him to focus on family and health.

"You've done the hard work. I think he has a health issue, I'm not sure what exactly. He's in his early 30s, 31 years old. If you can retire at that age and be secure with your family, just enjoy life," Priest advised.

Thanks to his business ventures, Priest says Bumstead will never have to work again.

"He tried the Open, he said he enjoyed it. Now just enjoy life and have fun. You're still young. You never have to work again and you can focus on your wife and child," Priest said.

Priest stressed the importance of leaving bodybuilding healthy, as he has seen many athletes continue to use banned substances even after their time has passed.

"It's great to see people who come in, achieve their goals and leave. I've seen so many guys who started in their twenties and never got anywhere, but they keep trying. Thirty years later they're still doing drugs and trying to get somewhere they'll never be. In the meantime, their life has gotten away from them."

He also mentioned that some people in the fitness industry refuse to have relationships or families because they feel it interferes with their bodybuilding lifestyle.

"Some don't even get married because they just want to train. They don't want a girlfriend. Some won't even get a job because that's all they want and they sell drugs to fund their so-called bodybuilding lifestyle. In the end, they never become professionals and just let time pass them by."

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Příspěvek sdílený Chris Bumstead (@cbum)