Tragic Loss: Young Bodybuilder Dies from Dehydration

Heartbreak: Bodybuilder Passes Away at 20

Jodi Vance, a 20-year-old bodybuilder from Amarillo, Texas, tragically passed away on March 3, 2025, due to a heart attack resulting from severe dehydration. She was attending the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, to support fellow athletes when she began experiencing dehydration symptoms, including vomiting. Despite being transported to a local hospital, medical efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.

Her family expressed their profound grief on social media, describing her as “a beautiful person inside and out” and emphasizing the suddenness of her passing. They urged others to prioritize health, stating, “If anyone takes anything from this, please put your health first.”

Vance’s coach, Justin Mihaly, revealed that she had been using hazardous supplements without his or her family’s knowledge, likely in preparation for the event. He expressed deep sorrow over her passing and emphasized the importance of prioritizing health over physical improvements.

Vance had recently graduated from West Texas A&M University with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science and had placed third in the 2024 NPC Battle of Texas Women’s Physique division.