'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAnoz/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAECEAAAAD//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAdEAABBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAQIDEQUSAAYT/9oACAEBAAE/AO0NhwuH6ziwAg2xEwxGEyvjVz53K5Ep63w8hghxA3kr/GR0e21bUtXz/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/2gAIAQIBAT8Am//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACMf/aAAgBAwEBPwB4f//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
On Tuesday 22nd August 2017 it was reported that professional bodybuilding and Instagram celebrity Dallas McCarver had passed away at the age of 26.
Followers of professional wrestling may have heard about his death due to the fact that McCarver enjoyed a loving relationship with WWE Superstar Dana Brooke. She has since posted a message on her Instagram page calling Dallas a beautiful individual who she saw as the 'yin to her yang'.
We at Sportskeeda would like to pass on our thoughts and prayers to McCarver's friends and family, as well as to Dana. In memory of his short but highly successful life, here are five things you might want to know about the late Dallas McCarver:
#1 He started competing in Bodybuilding at the age of 21
McCarver was seen very much as an 'up and comer' in the world of bodybuilding. He first gained a passion for the sport when at high school where he originally started his active, sporting life as a footballer.
Due to the size and strength requirements when playing the US version of the game, it's hardly surprising that many footballers get themselves into weight lifting. McCarver like many before him decided to concentrate on the latter activity and ended up making a lot of money and acclaim for himself in the process.
By the time 2017 can come about, McCarver struck an instantly impressive figure, standing at 6ft 1 and weighing over 300lbs.
#2 He has won several bodybuilding competitions
McCarver was not just a keen bodybuilder, he was a successful one too. Whilst competing under the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) umbrella, he became successful in three out of the five years he competed between 2012-2015.
At the age of 21, in his first full year as a pro, McCarver became the youngest ever male to win at the North American Championships in a pro qualifier. Since then, his career grew from strength to strength.
McCarver also built up a reputation for himself as an agile performer on stage. We typically associate bodybuilding competitions with standing and posing, but Dallas would often incorporate athleticism into his judging time by performing star jumps. Anyone who watches the bigger athletes in WWE will know how difficult it is for such a big man to leap around like that with ease.
#3 Has garnered over 475k followers on Instagram
Dallas McCarver became somewhat of a celebrity through his bodybuilding work and attracted a huge following on his Instagram page. Many aspiring bodybuilders, as well as young men and women interested in hitting the gym in their spare time, will seek out the motivation and assistance that social media based builders can offer.
McCarver would often post positive, meaningful messages on his Instagram page, which was an indication of the kind of person he was. He would also film himself performing safe lifting techniques and pose with friends and family all while looking super impressive.
Since his death, his recent posts have been filled with comments commemorating his life and achievements. Sometimes it can only be seen as a good thing that we live in such a connected age.
#4 He suffered a health scare earlier this year
Back in March of this year, McCarver suffered a health scare during a competition in Australia. The incident came during the 2017 Arnold Classic where he collapsed in front of the audience whilst on stage.
This appeared to be because of a bad case of bronchitis caused by an upper respiratory infection. Despite the scare, McCarver was soon back on his feet and looking to work towards more competition.
Sometimes when we learn about some of the world's top athletes experiencing underlying conditions like this, we are able to appreciate just how dedicated they are. Their lives often put things into perspective for the rest of us and make us believe that anything is possible if we have the motivation to succeed.
#5 He started his own clothing brand
Dallas McCarver also had a keen entrepreneurial spirit. Not only was he the face of RedCon1, an online sports supplement product that he often promoted on his Instagram account, but he also began work on his own line of clothing.
'Out Grow your Ego' — the name of McCarver's brand — has become very popular with gym goers across the US and beyond. In a recent Instagram post on the company's profile, McCarver can be seen modelling the clothing range with his girlfriend Dana Brooke.
The central message of the clothing line was to remind people that it doesn't just take motivation and personal dreams to achieve the best results, it also takes hard work. By looking past what we want and concentrating on what we're doing right now to get it, we will be better able to complete the tasks we set.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
