Paul Dillett: Biography, Achievements, Training, and Diet

Posted by Leonard Shemtob on May 23, 2025

Paul Dillett is a well-known name in the world of bodybuilding. He became famous in the 1990s for his huge size, wide shoulders, and powerful look. Paul competed in top events like Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic and stood out for his muscle mass and stage presence.

But Paul’s story doesn’t stop there. After retiring from bodybuilding, he started his own fitness organization, the WBFF (World Beauty Fitness & Fashion), helping new athletes get a chance to shine. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Paul Dillett’s life, his bodybuilding career, training style, and diet.

Quick Summary

Paul Dillett was a prominent bodybuilder known for his massive size, earning him the nickname "Freak-stein."
He transitioned from playing football to a notable career in professional bodybuilding, competing in major events like Mr. Olympia.
While he didn't win the top titles, Dillett's impressive physique and stage presence left a lasting impression on the bodybuilding world.
After retiring from competition, he founded the World Beauty Fitness & Fashion (WBFF), a popular fitness and modeling event.
For modern bodybuilders, smart supplements like Anafuse can help with muscle growth, recovery, and strength.

About Paul Dillett

Paul Dillett is a retired Canadian professional bodybuilder born in 1965 in Montreal, Quebec. Before bodybuilding, he played in the Canadian Football League, but later turned his focus to bodybuilding, quickly rising through the ranks after starting competition in the early 1990s.

Known by nicknames like “Freak-einstein” and “Jurassic Paul,” Dillett stood out for his massive size, impressive muscle shape, and unique posing style. He competed in many major events, including Mr. Olympia, where he placed as high as 4th in 1994, and won the 1999 Night of Champions.

Standing about 6 feet 2 inches tall and competing at around 290 pounds, Paul was unusually tall for bodybuilding, which made his size and symmetry even more remarkable. After retiring from competition in 2012, he became the founder and CEO of the World Beauty Fitness & Fashion (WBFF), a popular fitness and modeling organization that blends bodybuilding with entertainment.

Quick Facts

Full Name: Paul Dillett
Nicknames: "Freak-einstein," "Jurassic Paul," "The King"
Nationality: Canadian.
Best Win: Night of Champions 1999
Born: April 12, 1965, in Montreal, Canada (French-Jamaican heritage)
Age: 60 Years
Height: 6’1”–6’2” (185–188 cm)
Competition Weight: 285–290 lbs (129–132 kg)
Off-Season Weight: 300–330 lbs (136–150 kg

Paul Dillett Biography

Early Life and Background

Paul Dillett was born in 1965 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to a French father and Jamaican mother. Before entering bodybuilding, he was an athlete in Canadian football, which helped build his early strength and athleticism. He played professional football in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Entry into Bodybuilding

Dillett shifted focus to bodybuilding after being inspired by legends like Gary Strydom and Tom Platz. His rapid muscle growth led him to compete in his first show, the 1991 North American Championships, where he placed 2nd in the heavyweight division. The following year, he won the Overall title, earning his IFBB Pro Card.

Professional Career & Peak Years

Dillett turned pro in 1992 and quickly became known for his freakish size (6’2”, 300+ lbs) and dramatic posing style. Key career highlights include:

1993 Arnold Classic (4th place) – His pro debut.
1994 Mr. Olympia (4th place) – One of the highest finishes by a Canadian.
1999 Night of Champions (1st place) – His biggest career win.

Challenges and Health Issues

However, his career faced a major setback at the 1994 Arnold Classic, where he collapsed on stage due to severe dehydration. His heart stopped briefly, and he later admitted the incident impacted his long-term conditioning.

Later Career

After the incident, Paul Dillett took a year-long break from competitive bodybuilding. He made his return in 1996, securing impressive third-place finishes at both the Arnold Classic and the Grand Prix in the Czech Republic.

These back-to-back podium spots helped Dillett regain his confidence. From there, he continued to compete actively until 2006, entering a total of 29 professional bodybuilding contests and earning several wins along the way.

In addition to his victories, Dillett also claimed multiple runner-up titles, including second place at the 1996 Grand Prix Spain and the 1996 Ironman Pro. His final appearance at the prestigious Mr. Olympia came in 1999, where he placed seventh. Unfortunately, he was unable to qualify for Olympia again in the later years of his career.

Retirement and Post-Retirement

Dillett continued competing until 2006, though his later years were marked by inconsistent placings. He officially retired in 2012, having competed in 40+ pro shows.

After retiring, Dillett shifted to entrepreneurship. In 2007, he founded the World Beauty Fitness & Fashion (WBFF), a competition emphasizing marketability alongside physique.

Personal Life and Today

Dillett is married to Allison Dillett and has two children. He resides in Toronto, Canada, and remains involved in fitness through WBFF events.

Competition History

1991:

North American Championships - Heavyweight, 2nd place

1992:

North American Championships - Heavyweight, 1st place (won Overall title)

1993:

Arnold Classic - 4th place
Ironman Pro Invitational - 4th place
Mr. Olympia - 6th place

1994:

Grand Prix England - 4th place
Grand Prix France (2) - 2nd place
Grand Prix France - 1st place
Grand Prix Germany (2) - 1st place
Grand Prix Germany - 3rd place
Grand Prix Italy - 2nd place
Grand Prix Spain - 3rd place
Mr. Olympia - 4th place

1996:

Arnold Classic - 3rd place
Grand Prix Czech Republic - 3rd place
Grand Prix England - 3rd place
Grand Prix Germany - 4th place
Grand Prix Russia - 4th place
Grand Prix Spain - 2nd place
Grand Prix Switzerland - 2nd place
Ironman Pro Invitational - 2nd place
Mr. Olympia - 5th place
San Jose Pro Invitational - 2nd place

1997:

Arnold Classic - 6th place
Grand Prix Czech Republic - 6th place
Grand Prix England - 4th place
Grand Prix Finland - 5th place
Grand Prix Germany - 4th place
Grand Prix Hungary - 4th place
Grand Prix Russia - 5th place
Grand Prix Spain - 4th place
Ironman Pro Invitational - 5th place
Mr. Olympia - 5th place
San Jose Pro Invitational - 5th place

1998:

Mr. Olympia - Did not place

1999:

Night of Champions - 1st place
Mr. Olympia - 7th place

2000:

Night of Champions - 3rd place

2002:

Night of Champions - 6th place
Southwest Pro Cup - 8th place

2003:

Grand Prix Hungary - 14th place

2006:

Montreal Pro - 10th place

Dillett’s Training Style

Training Routine and Split

Dillett did not follow a typical weekly schedule. Instead, he trained four consecutive days and then rested on the fifth day before repeating the cycle. This pattern allowed him to maintain high training intensity while ensuring adequate recovery.

During the off-season, his split generally looked like this:

Day 1: Shoulders
Day 2: Quads in the morning, Hamstrings in the evening
Day 3: Chest in the morning, Arms in the evening
Day 4: Back
Day 5: Rest

During contest preparation, he adjusted this to training three days in a row, followed by a rest day to allow more recovery and reduce injury risk.

Training Twice a Day

At his peak, Paul often trained twice daily. He would start his day with cardio and a first training session targeting larger muscle groups.

After a meal and rest, he would return to the gym to work smaller muscle groups and finish with additional cardio. This approach helped him maintain conditioning while maximizing muscle growth.

Cardio Approach

Unlike many bodybuilders who limit cardio to avoid muscle loss, Dillett incorporated a significant amount of cardio into his routine.

He sometimes did up to two hours of cardio daily, primarily using the treadmill and stationary bike. He believed this helped his conditioning without sacrificing muscle mass.

Paul Dillett Diet

Paul's daily meals were high in protein, moderate in carbohydrates, and included healthy fats. Typically, he ate five to six meals spread throughout the day to provide a steady flow of nutrients for muscle growth and recovery.

Typical Foods

Paul’s diet focused on whole, natural foods rather than fancy or complicated meals. Common protein sources included chicken breast, lean cuts of steak, fish, and egg whites.

For carbohydrates, he preferred complex options like brown rice, oats, and potatoes. Vegetables were also part of his meals to supply essential vitamins and minerals. Healthy fats come from sources such as olive oil, egg yolks, and nuts.

Supplements

While Paul did not heavily rely on supplements, he consistently used whey protein year-round to meet his protein needs. During contest preparation, he added fat burners, multivitamins, and fish oil to support fat loss and overall health.

Best Supplements for Your Bodybuilding Journey

1. AnaFuse by Vital Alchemy

Anafuse by Vital Alchemy is a muscle support supplement designed to assist with lean mass building. It contains a blend of ingredients aimed at promoting muscle growth and improving recovery. The formula combines several anabolic-support compounds in one product to help support strength and size without relying on harsh substances.

Key Benefits:

It supports muscle mass gains.
It doesn’t cause water retention.
It may help reduce body fat.
It supports better muscle endurance.
It helps improve muscle hardness.
It can assist in increasing strength.
It promotes fuller muscle pumps during workouts.
It may help control myostatin levels.
It speeds up muscle recovery after training.
It can help reduce post-workout soreness.
It supports protein synthesis.

Key Ingredients:

Epicatechin
Ajuga Turkestanica
HICA
Eriobotrya Japonica
Vitamin D3
Quercetin

Customer Reviews

Anafuse

“I have used Anafuse many times over the years and have been very satisfied with the gains that I get each time. The gains are noticeable enough that I get several comments at the gym. I’m very satisfied with this product and will continue to use it.”

-Dewayne

10lbs in a month!

“I weighed in at the doctor's office July 5th and went back August 8th. I gained 10lbs! My strength and stamina has increased slightly but many people have commented that I've gotten bigger. It wasn't until I went back to the doctor and weighed in did I notice how much mass I've put on on my 5'2" frame. This is huge considering the firs”

-Erick

Excellent

“It's a good product. I am on my 2nd cycle and I feel and see the difference in my body. I get massive pumps and less get less fatigue. Since I been on this I been hitting the gym harder and much more longer”

-Alejandro

2. Pepti-Bolic by SNS

Pepti-Bolic by SNS is a natural anabolic supplement designed to support lean muscle growth, strength, endurance, and recovery. It contains peptides such as PeptiStrong® and DL-185™, which are supported by human clinical studies. This next-generation supplement works through multiple mechanisms, including activating mTOR, increasing protein synthesis, and reducing muscle fatigue.

Key Benefits:

It supports lean muscle growth and better body composition.
It helps improve strength and overall performance.
It reduces muscle fatigue and supports faster recovery.
It helps retain muscle during dieting/ageing phases.

Key Ingredients:

PeptiStrong™
DL185™ (Dileucine)

Customer Reviews

Loving it so far!

“So far so good! Waiting to try it out for a month to see results but feeling stronger and looking leaner: delivery was fast and exactly what I expected. Great communication”

-Agape M.

3. Colossal Muscle by Hard Rock Supplements

Colossal Muscle by Rock Hard Supplements is a natural anabolic product to increase muscle mass and strength. It contains two main ingredients, one of which was reportedly studied over ten weeks and showed significant increases in muscle mass and strength in participants.

Key Benefits:

It helps build muscle.
It supports increased protein synthesis.
It aids nitrogen retention to promote lean muscle growth.
It helps prevent muscle breakdown.
It supports improved endurance.
It assists in increasing strength and power.
It helps boost muscle mass.
It may support fat loss.
It can help enhance physical performance.
It may improve focus during workouts.

Key Ingredients:

20-Hydroxyecdysone
Uzbekistan Ajuga turkestanica

Customer Reviews

On second bottle

“First bottle was great - took a little to see the resutlts but then they hit and you are like yes im loving it! just started my second bottle - thanks!”

-HK

COLOSSAL

“This hard rock product is awesome. My strength increased rapidly and extreme pumps during the sessions. ********** muscle gain!”

-STEPHAN

Quality product

“So i have almost finished my first bottle of this stuff and I can honestly say that it does work. I have noticed some size increase but what I have definitely noticed the most is strength increase. I recommend this product and I will definitely be using it again.”

-Zv

4. Mandro the Giant Gold Stack

Mandro The Giant Gold Stack is a supplement combination designed to support muscle growth and help overcome plateaus. It includes two highly rated bulking products intended to work together to promote gains in muscle mass. This stack is used by individuals aiming to increase muscle size and strength more effectively.

Disclaimer: This supplement stack is intended for individuals over the age of 21 who have maintained a consistent training routine for at least two years. It is recommended only for users who have a solid understanding of resistance training, nutrition, and recovery practices. Not suitable for beginners or those unfamiliar with advanced supplementation.

Key Benefits:

It helps increase strength.
It supports muscle mass growth.
It aids in faster muscle recovery.
It improves muscle endurance.
It helps increase muscle hardness.
It supports better muscle definition.
It promotes protein synthesis.
It enhances muscle pumps.

Supplements in this Stack

Customer Reviews

Absolutely the best

“Best product in the market that's legal super mandro”

-Patrick

Best Stack Yet

“I've used this stack a few times and each time I am blown away with the results. 10/10 recommend. If looking to cut I would throw in androvar as well!”

-Donnman

Outstanding

“I originally bought this stack for myself but decided to stay natty so i passed it on to a friend who has gained nearly 20kgs :O yup he's 3 or 4 weeks into his pct which is not otc and his gains are sticking. Highly recommend this.”

-Mrbig

5. Advanced Hormonal Bulking Stack

The Advanced Hormonal Bulking Stack is a supplement combination formulated for experienced users focused on bulking. It provides a blend of prohormones and supporting nutrients aimed at promoting muscle growth, strength, and recovery. This stack is intended to help maintain an anabolic state during intense training periods.

Disclaimer: The Advanced Hormonal Bulking Stack is designed for experienced users aged 21 and older with a well-established background in training and diet management. It is not recommended for individuals without prior experience using hormonal supplements. Proper knowledge of nutrition, hormone support, and cycle protocols is essential before use.

Key Benefits:

It supports enhanced muscle growth and mass.
It helps maintain consistent hormone levels during use.
It may improve athletic performance.
It offers protection for vital organs during the cycle.
It supports liver health and detoxification.
It helps boost testosterone levels.
It may reduce estrogen levels.
It supports increased muscle hardness and strength.
It aids muscle protein synthesis and helps prevent muscle breakdown.
It can improve vascularity and help reduce body fat.
It supports immune system function.
It may enhance libido and mood.
It helps optimize hormonal balance.

Supplements in this Stack:

(FAQs): Paul Dillett

Q: When did Paul Dillett start his professional bodybuilding career?

A: Paul Dillett began his professional bodybuilding career in 1992 after winning the overall title at the North American Championships and earning his IFBB Pro Card.

Q: Did Paul Dillett win Mr. Olympia?

A: No, his best Olympia placement was 4th (1994). His biggest win was the 1999 Night of Champions competition.

Q: What happened to Paul Dillett at the 1994 Arnold Classic?

A: He collapsed on stage due to extreme dehydration. His heart stopped briefly, but he recovered and returned to compete.

Q: What was unique about Paul Dillett’s training style?

A: He trained twice a day, focusing on heavy compound lifts and a flexible routine targeting large muscle groups. He also incorporated cardio regularly, unlike most bodybuilders.

Final Thoughts

Paul Dillett will be remembered as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. His massive physique and dramatic stage presence made him stand out during the 1990s era. While he never won a Mr. Olympia title, his extreme size and conditioning pushed boundaries.

After retiring, Dillett shifted focus to the WBFF, proving his influence extended beyond competition. His career reflects the evolution of bodybuilding, where mass, presentation, and marketability intersect.

Dillett's story captures an important chapter in bodybuilding's history. Today, Paul Dillett continues to be a key figure in the fitness industry through the WBFF, shaping a new era of fitness competitions.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dillett
https://www.greatestphysiques.com/male-physiques/paul-dillett/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da-mJA-AWQw
https://bodybuilding-wizard.com/paul-dillett-from-humble-beginnings-to-bodybuilding-fame-a-complete-biography/
https://dr-muscle.com/paul-dillett-bodybuilder-age-height-net-worth-wife-more/

Image Credits:

Paul Dillett Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paul_dillett/

Written and Sponsored by Leonard Shemtob

Leonard Shemtob is President of Strong Supplements and a published author. Leonard has been in the supplement space for over 20 years, specializing in fitness supplements and nutrition. Leonard appears on many podcasts, written over 100 articles about supplements and has studied nutrition, supplementation and bodybuilding.

Leonard's articles have been published in many top publications around the web. Leonard enjoys weight training, playing basketball and yoga, and also enjoys hiking. In his free time he studies and works on improving himself. For more detailed information, visit his official blog.