A female bodybuilder is dead at 20 years old after suffering a heart attack last week following what her trainer is calling a “serious error.”
Jodi Vance died last Thursday while attending the Arnold Sports Festival in in Columbus, Ohio.
“Her heart stopped due to complications of severe dehydration. Despite all efforts by the hospital, they were unable to revive her,” Vance’s family wrote in a social media post.
“She was a beautiful person inside and out, and she will be missed every single day. This was sudden and unexpected. Please give her family time to process this loss in peace. If anyone takes anything from this, please put your health first.”
According to TMZ, Vance was not competing at the event and was in attendance to help coach her trainees.
Vance reportedly began to feel sick after attending the competition and eventually was transported to a local hospital, where she later died.
In a post on Instagram earlier this week, Vance’s coach, Justin Mihaly, alleged that the bodybuilder was using potentially harmful supplements without his knowledge despite not having any upcoming competitions.
“Jodi made a serious error,” Mihaly said. “Jodi used two extremely hazardous substances to improve her physique — I assume just for the Arnold Expo — without my knowledge, my approval, without family’s knowledge, their approval.
“There is no reason that she should have been dehydrating.”
In the caption for the clip, Mihaly wrote that he was posting the video with consent from Vance’s mother, Jenny, and that they could reveal more at a later date.
“Thank you for keeping Jodi first and to all who have shown an outpouring of love to Jodi and her family,” he also wrote.
Mihaly added that everyone is sad and grieving over Vance’s death.
“You are welcome to direct your blame towards me if that’s how you believe we can best honour Jodi,” Mihaly said.
Several of Vance’s followers expressed their sadness over her death, while also being critical of the state of bodybuilding.
“Please stop recommending water pulling, diuretics, or BOTH to clients. Not only is it dangerous, it’s absolutely NOT NECESSARY. It does not make you ‘leaner,’” one commenter wrote, adding that “any coach that recommends this needs to be put on blast and called out.”
“Sad and in my opinion inexcusable. These ‘gurus’ are more like witch doctors. This industry has major, major problems,” another posted.
Vance, a Texas native, placed third in the Women’s Physique division of the 2024 NPC Battle of Texas and regularly posted pictures of her physique, as well as motivational thoughts and quotes, to her Instagram account.
“A champion isn’t measured by wins, but by the courage to rise every time they fall,” Vance posted last week.
“It’s not about how many times life knocks you down – it’s about standing up, pushing forward, and refusing to surrender. True greatness is forged in resilience, not just victory. #iameminent.”
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