20-year-old bodybuilder dies after making 'serious error' before competition, trainer claims

A young professional bodybuilder died suddenly while attending a competition, which her trainer has now said was due to a 'serious error' as he tried to get her to 'pull back'.

Jodi Vance was just 20-years-old when the sports pro suffered a fatal heart attack while attending a bodybuilding competition in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday last week (February 27).

Her family announced her death in an Instagram post to her thousands of followers, writing: "She was a beautiful person inside and out, and she will be missed every single day. This was sudden and unexpected."

Jodi was not due to be competing in the games but was attending to help coach her clients, according to TMZ.

However, she reportedly began feeling sick afterwards and was raced to hospital where she was tragically pronounced dead as her 'heart stopped due to complications of severe dehydration,' her family added.

The post continued: "Despite all efforts by the hospital, they were unable to revive her.

"Please give her family time to process this loss in peace.

"If anyone takes anything from this, please put your heath first."

Now, her coach, Justin Mihaly, has issued a statement with consent from Jodi's mom, Jennifer, where he alleges the sports and exercise science graduate was potentially using harmful supplements.

He said it was an 'appropriate time' to reveal 'all aspects of what transpired in the last few days that tragically took Jodi's life, far too soon.'

Justin started by saying: "We're all experiencing grief" and that Jodi was 'freaking loved' before going to reveal 'what transpired' around what 'took Jodi's life, far too soon.'

The 'elite' coaching pro, who boasts almost 60,000 Instagram followers, described her as a 'beam of light' at at 'every' social, networking event and expo show.

"The person she was, the way that she loved, I want to highlight and I want to remember Jodi that way.

"That being said, Jodi made a significant error," the coach continued as he said he wanted to share what happened to 'make sure this never happens again.'

"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.

"But Jodi was not prepping for Arnold... There is no reason that she should have been dehydrating."

He said Jodi last competed in December last year, where she placed third in the Women's Physique division of the 2024 NPC Battle of Texas, and had allegedly indicated to Justin that she wanted to compete again this year.

He also said her health had been 'quite concerning', adding: "Now we know why."

"Many people who loved Jodi, including myself, had tried to get her to pull off the gas pedal a bit and anyone who knows Jodi knows what a challenge that would be.

"Her work ethic was actually second to nobody, it was so hard to get her to pull back."

He went on to claim Jodi had expressed interest in a drug that he believed she went on to use against their agreement.

This is because he was 'told' her results at the hospital showed she had an 'insanely high reading' of potassium, suggesting she had been using a diuretic, possibly alongside another fat-burning drug.

"You're welcome to direct your blame towards me if that's how you believe we can best honor Jodi," he added. "I accept for you to bring your anger towards me."

In a separate video, the coach appears to be advocating to 'get rid' of diuretics and is calling on professional bodies to make a change to the sport.