Fitness Coach Dies After Dangerous Binge-Eating Challenge

A Russian fitness coach tragically died of cardiac arrest after taking on a dangerous binge-eating challenge meant to promote his new weight-loss program.

Dmitry Nuyanzin, 30, from Orenburg, reportedly spent weeks consuming 10,000 calories a day to gain more than 50 pounds. His plan was to then shed the weight using his new fitness program, according to Russian social media posts translated by the Daily Mail.

Nuyanzin began feeling unwell, canceled his training sessions, and told friends he was going to see a doctor. He ultimately died in his sleep from cardiac arrest.

In just a month, Nuyanzin had gained nearly 30 pounds. To promote his program, he promised $100 to anyone who lost 10% of their body weight by New Year’s using his method. On Instagram, he wrote, “My WEIGHT LOSS COURSE is starting soon, where you can win cool prizes and, most importantly, build a beautiful body, learn how to eat and have fun! I’m going to be losing weight with my minions, so this will be twice as exciting!”

His extreme weight gain came from consuming high-calorie, cholesterol-heavy foods. He reportedly said, “For breakfast, I have a plate of pastries and half a cake. For lunch, I usually eat 800 grams [nearly 2 lbs.] of dumplings with mayonnaise. During the day, I may snack on crisps, and for dinner, I have a burger and two small pizzas, either at a café or delivered.”

Social media users mourned the fitness coach’s death. “I’m in total shock. Why does God take the best people?” wrote one. Others remembered him as “bright” and “incredible.”

Medical experts note that excess weight puts significant strain on the heart. Brown University explains: “The larger the body, the harder the heart must work to pump and circulate the blood. Extra weight also gives the body volume, which creates more resistance for the heart to overcome as it pumps.”