Alix Small, a Scottish professional bodybuilder and two-time fitness champion who spoke publicly about overcoming anorexia, has died at age 26, according to a bodybuilding news outlet that said it received confirmation from her family.
Small, of Forfar, Scotland, won two professional fitness competitions and competed at the prestigious Olympia bodybuilding championships. She had previously credited bodybuilding with helping her recover from an eating disorder that began when she was 15.
“I found out about fuelling my body properly then I found such a passion for bodybuilding,” she said.
Small explained that bodybuilding required her to focus on physical performance rather than appearance, an approach she said aided her recovery.
“That’s really helped me along my journey and I just want to be the best that I can be,” she added.
Small began her athletic career in gymnastics before entering professional bodybuilding. When she was 19, she earned her pro card at the 2019 Amateur Olympia United Kingdom Pro Qualifier in London, according to National Physique Committee records
Two years later, she won the fitness division at the 2021 Europa Pro Championships in Alicante, Spain, earning a place at the Olympia competition in Florida.
She recalled calling her mother immediately after leaving the stage, while her family celebrated her victory after watching the competition online.
Her coach, Darren Farrell, praised her achievements in the same interview. “Alix is a phenomenal athlete, for 21 years old it’s incredible,” Farrell said.
In her 2021 interview, Small said she had spent two years preparing for her breakthrough at the Europa Pro Championships and hoped to continue competing at the highest level.
“I went there for one thing and it was to qualify for the Olympia,” she said. “I am a competitive person but it was just an absolutely amazing experience.”
