As tributes pour in, some social media users also debated whether bodybuilding was a suitable means of recovery from her struggle with anorexia. Here’s everything we know about Alix Small.
How did Alix Small pass away?
Alix Small passed away on November 8, 2026, at the age of 26. News of her passing was broken by bodybuilding news account Beyond The Stage TV on Instagram, “Shocked to hear to the terrible news of the passing of 2 x Fitness Pro winner and Olympian @alixsmallll.”
The account revealed that her death was confirmed by Small’s best friend and her mother. Per TMZ, the exact cause of her death has not been officially disclosed and the circumstances surrounding her passing remain unclear.
Who was Alix Small?
Born in Forfar, Scotland, Alix Small had a background as a competitive gymnast from age five before transitioning into bodybuilding. She claimed two IFBB Pro League titles and reached the prestigious Olympia – the world’s top bodybuilding competition.
She earned her IFBB Pro card at 19, before going on to win the 2021 Europa Pro Championships in Spain, qualifying to compete at the Olympia. She placed 12th at the competition that year.
Her success was followed up once again in 2022, when she was crowned fitness champion at Mr. Big Evolution Pro. Her victory earned her not only a title but also made her qualify for the Olympia once again. However, she was unfortunately forced to withdraw due to health concerns. She ultimately, never returned to professional competition.
Alix Small’s struggle with eating disorders
Beyond her professional endeavours, Alix Small also emerged victorious against eating disorders, a journey she has documented on her Instagram. Small began struggling with anorexia at the age of 15, and later she struggled with bulimia. In 2018, she turned to body building to help overcome her eating disorders.
Image credit : Instagram @alixgabriellasmall | Alix Small had shared before and after photos of her eating disorder recovery
In an interview with STV News in 2021, she credited bodybuilding and strength training with helping her through her recovery, by shifting away her focus from her physical appearance towards physical strength.
“People think bodybuilding is an aesthetics sport and it is, but you’ve got to let go of what you look like and it’s about the performance side of it,” she had explained. “That’s really helped me along my journey, and I just want to be the best that I can be.”
Tributes pour in for Alix Small
Following her untimely passing, the internet was flooded with tributes from her peers and from those who resonated deeply with Small’s journey.
“You were such a funny, caring and thoughtful person, and I’ll always remember the kindness you showed me,” wrote fellow body builder Phoebe Goodwin o Instagram, “I’ll never forget you being there for me when we got home after winning my IFBB Pro card. It’s a memory I’ll always hold close.”
We join the bodybuilding world in mourning the passing of Alix Small. She was only 26 years old. Cause of death is unknown at this time. May she rest in peace. 😔🕊 https://t.co/RJoKw1QZUP
— FitGems Nation (@FitGemsNation) November 10, 2026
Simultaneously, some maintained bodybuilding may not necessarily be appropriate means of recovery. An X user wrote, “We need to stop celebrating bodybuilding as healthy when someone have an insanely low body fat percentage it’s just as harmful as being anorexic or morbidly obese, yeah it can be maintained with close observation of doctors and professionals but it’s not healthy it’s harmful.”
Similar responses:
Image credit : From X user @NotLizBrody
Image credit : From X user @MargBarAmerica
While there is currently no established connection between Small’s passing and anorexia, social media is rife with speculation. It remains to be seen whether further details involving her death are revealed.
