The bodybuilding world is mourning the heartbreaking death of Alix Small, a two-time professional fitness champion who overcame a serious eating disorder to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages. She was just 26 years old.
The Scottish athlete’s death was announced Sunday, November 8, by bodybuilding media outlet Beyond The Stage TV after receiving confirmation from her mother and best friend.
Her cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, and the circumstances surrounding her passing remain unclear.
Small had become a rising star in competitive bodybuilding, earning her professional status at just 19 years old before achieving remarkable success on the international stage.
In 2021, she captured her first major professional title at the Europa Pro Championships in Spain, securing a coveted spot at the prestigious Olympia competition in Las Vegas.
At just 21, she competed against some of the world’s top female fitness athletes, ultimately finishing 12th.
Her success continued in 2022 when she won the Mr. Big Evolution Pro competition in Portugal, earning another invitation to the Olympia stage.
However, health problems forced her to withdraw from the competition, and she never returned to professional competition.
Beyond her accomplishments in bodybuilding, Small had openly discussed her difficult battle with anorexia, an eating disorder she said began when she was just 15 years old.
She previously credited bodybuilding with helping her recovery, explaining that the sport allowed her to shift her focus away from her appearance and toward building physical strength.
Her personal story resonated with fans who admired her determination to overcome serious challenges while pursuing her athletic dreams.
Following news of her death, emotional tributes poured in from fellow competitors and members of the fitness community.
Professional bodybuilder Phoebe Goodwin remembered Small as a funny, caring and thoughtful person who had made a lasting impact on her life.
“I still can’t quite believe you’re gone,” Goodwin wrote in an emotional tribute.
She also recalled how Small supported her after she earned her own professional bodybuilding card, describing it as a memory she would always cherish.
“Life is so incredibly cruel sometimes,” Goodwin added, expressing her wish that they could have shared more time together.
Small’s death has stunned the bodybuilding community, particularly given her young age and the success she achieved so early in her career.
Although she stepped away from professional competition in 2022, her accomplishments and willingness to share her personal struggles left a lasting impression on fellow athletes and supporters.
No additional details about her death have been released, and there is no confirmed connection between her previous health struggles and her passing.
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