Lee Labrada has devoted his life to fitness. He began bodybuilding at the age of 16 in an effort to gain weight in order to play football. Labrada quickly realized he was an average football player, but a great bodybuilder. By the time he graduated from high school, he had already won his first bodybuilding contest.

At the age of 25, Labrada achieved one of his lifelong dreams – winning the IFBB Mr. Universe competition. One year later, he made his professional debut at the IFBB Night of Champions and ended up beating out seasoned veterans to become the overall champion. Ultimately, Labrada went on to acquire 22 major bodybuilding titles and was inducted into the IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Hall of Fame. He placed in the top four of the Mr. Olympia for seven consecutive years – a feat matched by legends Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney and Dorian Yates, among a few others. Lee has been featured on the covers of 100 magazines worldwide, and has appeared on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN and ESPN television. He is co-author of "Get Lean" and two exercise videos.

Labrada retired from professional bodybuilding in 1995 and launched Labrada Nutrition® in 1996, a company that he brought to an Inc 500™ status in only six years– one of the fastest growing privately-held companies in the United States.

A highly motivated individual, Labrada credits his desire to excel to his humble beginnings. He came to the United States with his family at the age of 2, after fleeing the Communist regime in his native Cuba. The family, which had been stripped of all of its possessions, settled in Chicago and had to completely rebuild their lives. Following his father’s example, Labrada learned that through hard work and a strong vision, a person can achieve any dream imaginable. Today, Labrada continues this life philosophy and strives to pass it on to others.

Labrada has lived in Houston since 1980. He graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Prior to launching his fitness career, he worked as a civil engineer, designing high voltage transmission line structures.

Today, he and his wife, Robin, live in Houston with their three young boys. He considers himself a "fitness evangelist" who wants to help fitness-minded individuals reach their goals.

This passion for fitness led him to volunteer to help Houston get into better shape. From June 2002 to January 2004, as Houston's first Fitness Czar, Lee led a non-profit health & fitness campaign designed to educate Houstonians about health and fitness issues. Lee provides ongoing training & nutrition through his Free weekly e-newsletter, the Lean Body Coaching Club. Click for more info.