Lee Haney
Lee Haney is an outstanding American bodybuilder who won the Mr. Olympia title eight times. Lee was the first in tournament history to win so many titles.
early years
Lee Haney was born on November 11, 1959 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA. His father was an ordinary truck driver and his mother was a housewife. However, his family was very religious. Already in childhood, the guy showed interest in sports. And at the age of 12, he learned what dumbbells are and what they are for. From that moment, the story of the legendary bodybuilder began.
However, this does not mean that it was from the age of 12 that Lee began to devote himself entirely to bodybuilding. At the age of 15-16, he still dreamed of football. However, 2 leg injuries made him change his views. The guy began to devote more and more time to his body. To his great surprise, in a fairly short period of time, he gained 5 kg of muscle mass. He realized that he was good at building his body. Bodybuilding has become his real passion. It is not surprising that soon the first serious success came to him.
Successes
Haney’s first big success was at the Mr. Olympia tournament held among youth (1979). Over the next few years, the young man won several more tournaments, mainly in the heavyweight division.
In 1983, Haney received professional status. In the same year, he took part in Mr. Olympia for the first time. And for a 23-year-old guy, the success was quite impressive – 3rd place.
1984 marked the beginning of a new chapter in Lee Haney’s story: he won Mr. Olympia. For the next 7 years, the American had no equal. The excellent physique allowed the young man to stand on the top step of the pedestal again and again. Curiously, after winning his 7th title, Lee considered stopping, because bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger had 7 titles. But still Haney decided to continue and won the 8th title, which, according to his confession, he received very easily. Thus, the record for the number of titles was broken, and Haney himself forever inscribed his name in history. By the way, his record was held for 14 years until October 2005.
It is noteworthy that during the entire time of his performances, Lee did not become a victim of his injuries. The athlete explained this by the fact that he had his own method of training: from set to set, the athlete increased the weight, but at the same time reduced the number of repetitions.
Life out of competition
Haney manufactures a line of sports nutrition products under his own name – Lee Haney Nutritional Support Systems. He is also the host of his own show called TotaLee Fit Radio. In it, he and his guests provide expert advice on health and fitness. He also broadcasts on television called TotaLee Fit with Lee Haney. As a rule, his guests there are famous Christian athletes, with whom Lee, being also a very religious person, talks about the importance of physical and spiritual development. Haney often likes to say “train to stimulate, not destroy.”
In 1998, Haney was appointed by then US President Bill Clinton to chair the Presidential Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Haney graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in child psychology. In 1994 he opened his children’s camp called Haney Harvest House, a non-profit organization. The camp is located near Atlanta.
Haney is the author of several bodybuilding books. Owns several gyms. Lee is an excellent teacher and trainer. This is evidenced by the many famous athletes he has coached or coached.
The athlete has long finished bodybuilding at a professional level, but he is still in great shape.
Curious facts:
- Haney is the first athlete to win 8 Mr. Olympia titles. Until now, this record has not been broken, but it was repeated;
- Lee defeated 83 athletes at Mr. Olympia. No one else obeyed such a number;
- To win 8 titles “Mr. Olympia”, Haney most of all traveled to cities and countries: 5 titles were received in the USA and 3 more – in Europe;
- In 1991, winning his last title, Lee weighed 112 kg. No winner has previously weighed more than him.