Before TikTok fitness influencers, Australian fitness influencer Zyzz was filming gym selfies on a Nokia phone, and thousands were watching. His iconic gym selfies, feathered hair, and bodybuilding poses, captured on his classic Nokia phone, got him noticed for several reasons.

Now, over a decade after his sudden demise at 22 in 2011, a fresh documentary revisited the tragedy. The documentary will help shed light on his untimely passing.

15 years later, we finally know the official cause of his demise and why he passed away suddenly. Zyzz suffered from a congenital heart condition called cardiomegaly (enlarged heart).

When Zyzz suffered a heart attack in a Pattaya sauna in 2011, at the age of 22, the fitness world went silent. According to the Guardian, Zyzz obsessed over perfecting his looks. From tanning to teeth whiteners and experimental substances, it seemed he wasn’t afraid to experiment.

Although initial speculations pointed to his use of anabolic substances, the truth was far from it. The coroner explained that it was actually the underlying congenital heart condition.

Reportedly, he suffered respiratory failure due to the combined use of several substances and his underlying heart condition.

Beneath the persona lay a teenager who had set an impossible standard for himself, battling criticism.

The untold story of Zyzz’s rise against the odds

A documentary releasing on the 15th anniversary of his demise (August 5), as reported by Men's Health Australia on Instagram.

Zyzz always struggled to fit in. As a child, he and his older brother, born in Russia to Kurdish parents, felt they did not fully fit in when they moved to Australia. However, they finally found their haven in the bodybuilding community.

Often described as a skinny teenager with low self-confidence, Zyzz felt immense pressure to ‘fit in’ and maintain his self-created image. He would scrutinize and nitpick over his training methods and lifestyle.

Like many public figures online, Zyzz experienced both support and criticism despite having over 60,000 Facebook followers.

Though his life was cut tragically short, he left a legacy that continues to inspire millions. His passion, energy, and positivity remain unforgettable.

What is your favorite memory of Zyzz? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar