Feuds generally start from misunderstandings. Words are exchanged, animosity grows, and eventually, there's a breakdown in communication. Once the 
parties stop talking, others pass the time falsing attributing statements to the two belligerents; suddenly trolls are spinning yarns and rumors are circulating throughout the interwebs. Feuds aren't always the sum total of several factors gone wrong; sometimes, feuds can bring about good fortune. For example, what saved America from the Great Depression? If you say Roosevelt's New Deal, you'd be about 33% correct. What really saved America was World War II. Wait. What? A world war saved a shot economy? You bet your ass it did!!! Wars require weapons, which require workers, who get salaries, and with money in hand those workers buy things and suddenly, you have a thriving economy!!
Lee Priest is very much in the same state as America was after the stock market crash of 1929. He's in his 40's, his tats no longer have their wow-factor, and his various run-ins with the IFBB are no longer inspiring trouble-maker writers and personalities tilting at windmills. Even John Romano is back on Rx, now playing nice. People are getting older, the calls from magazines are fewer & fewer, there's less supplement companies knocking on the door, and no contest promoter in good standing is going to hire a washed up bodybuilder dragging around a lifetime suspension from the IFBB. Sadly for Lee, the only real money-making prospects left, include G4P, cam work, or selling sweaty gym clothes. As the old saying goes, he made his bed, now he has to sleep in it.
Bostin Loyd, on the other hand, is doing his own thing. He's a young man that's amassed a small fortune based on his own knack for social media. He's earned a reputation in the industry as a person who tells the truth about everything - from his life's goals to yes, his anabolic steroid use. Initially, I had an axe to grind with him because I was under the impression that he had beef with my friend IFBB Pro Mighty Mike Quinn. I also didn't like that he took potshots at another one of my friends, IFBB Pro Jeff Long. Once my interview with Mike Quinn was published, I tagged Bostin, and he left some comments on my facebook thread. From there we got to talking, added each other as friends, and I have to say I genuinely like the guy. He never had beef with Quinn and both Bostin & Jeff squashed their issues. I'm proud to be friends with all three of these guys.
But this feud between Bostin & Lee, it's all Lee's doing. What you basically have is a has-been holding on for dear life to any semblance of relevancy. Lee's last deal with NuBreed Nutrition seems to be no more. That radio show he had with Romano on VPX - not sure whatever happened with that. He left the IFBB to compete in the PDI... why? Who the hell knows. Every bodybuilder I've ever spoken with has said Wayne Demilia was a piece of garbage, most recently Mighty Mike Quinn. Later he'd go onto compete with NABBA, winning a pro universe title that’s barely the equivalent of a $10,000 IFBB pro contest. The reality is, Lee was influenced by old-school troublemakers, shit-stirrers that suckered him into being their little marionette. The more Lee talked the deeper his troubles became.
Today, Lee appears in almost daily youtube videos in a tight, form-fitting shirt, answering emails he allegedly receives from fans. He's often filmed in a factory that also has a small workout area. Like Jason Genova, Lee has as a cameraman/interviewer that follows him around & asks him questions, as the Australian legend takes short sips of water from his bottle. You never actually see Priest lift anything heavy, he just tinkers around with weights, claims natty, and unconvincingly feigns surprise at some of the questions the fans write in and/or acts interested with some of the talking points. In a recent video, Priest answered a questions about TRT/HRT in which he stated that his doctor told him his test levels were very high, and that he didn't need "the fake stuff." It was, again, a sort of weak attempt at telling the world he's as young, virile, and rebellious as ever.
Bostin Loyd, on the other hand, actually IS young, with a beautiful fiancé (Ariella Palumbo) by his side, a big house, and a bright future in front of him. He's never mentioned Priest, much less criticized him. In fact, Priest had to make THREE videos before the young NPC Contra Costa champion even thought to reply. And while Loyd's reply was a little juvenile towards the end, it was nowhere near as ridiculous as Priest acted in his three videos. In those releases, the 42yr old bodybuilder called Loyd a "fuckwit," a "tool," and stated that he looked like a "drag queen girl." Priest also called Loyd "the laughing stock of the bodybuilding world." Priest also [jokingly] stated that Loyd should shoot air into his veins and put a revolver to his head [for looking so bad]. Priest's video did have a disclaimer that Lee was heavily medicated post-surgery, but what was the excuse for the other two Priest videos? In Bostin's reply video, the much younger athlete showed clear signs of being the bigger man, even attempting to sound reconciliatory, despite the fact he didn't strike first blood. Towards the end though, Bostin did have a little fun, suggesting Priest shoot synthol into his penis.
At the end of the day, I like both of these guys. Lee Priest is one of the most gifted bodybuilders pound-for-height. He built a great look and toppled some huge giants in the sport and for that I will always respect the little guy. He may not be able to get on all the rides at the county fair, but he's got a ton of heart. I also really like Bostin Loyd. He's a young guy with a lot of drive, a lot of ambition, and a good heart. I never had a chance to speak to him until this year, but I think very highly of him. I don't necessarily agree with everything he says, but I don't agree with most of what anyone says. I pride myself on being my own man and having my own beliefs. I stand up for what I believe and both Bostin & Lee do the same as well. The sad thing about Priest is that, one day, his epitaph will most likely read: "Rebel without a cause."
This is Bostin's time, Lee! You had your run, now let him have his.
