Jodi Vance, 20-Year-Old Bodybuilder, Dies After Heart Attack Linked to Dehydration- wna24
New Delhi: Jodi Vance, a 20-year-old bodybuilder from the United States, has died after suffering a fatal heart attack while attending the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. Her family described the tragedy as “sudden and unexpected” in a statement on social media.
“Her heart stopped due to complications of severe dehydration. Despite all efforts by the hospital, they were unable to revive her,” the statement read. “She was a beautiful person inside and out, and she will be missed every single day,” the family added while requesting privacy to grieve.
Vance was not competing at the festival but was present to assist in coaching her pupils, according to the New York Post. She reportedly began feeling unwell after attending the competition and was subsequently taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Following her death, her family urged others to prioritise their well-being. “If anyone takes anything from this, please put your health first,” they wrote on Instagram.
Her trainer, Justin Mihaly, provided further insight into the circumstances leading to her passing. In an Instagram video, he stated that Vance had made a “significant error that should not be taken lightly.” Mihaly alleged that she had used “dangerous” substances without his or her family’s knowledge, which led to her severe dehydration.
“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,” Mihaly explained.
He further expressed concern over her health leading up to the incident. “Many people who loved Jodi tried to get her to pull off the gas pedal a bit,” he said. “Her work ethic was actually second to nobody. It was so hard getting her to pull back,” he added, noting that her vitals at the time suggested she had taken a substance he had previously warned her about.
Vance had previously achieved notable success in bodybuilding, securing third place in the Women’s Physique division at the 2024 NPC Battle of Texas. She was also active on Instagram, where she shared photos of her fitness journey and motivational content with her more than 8,000 followers.