Cedric McMillan cause of death – Bodybuilder died from heart attack on treadmill as tragic final Instagram post found

‘He was everything this industry needed’

Those who say they knew him have taken to social media in memory of McMillan.

Fitness trainer Matt Weik said: “I’ll never forget when @CedricMcMillan commented on my home gym & joked he was coming over to train.

“He was everything this industry needed. We’ve lost WAY too many lately. Thank you for your service and for what you’ve brought to the industry. RIP Cedric.”

‘He gave his time and energy towards connecting and inspiring’

RXMuscle wrote to Facebook and said McMillan will always be remembered for his “generosity toward fans.”

“He gave his time and energy towards connecting and inspiring, completely aware of his stature as a bodybuilding icon,” RXMuscle wrote.

“Cedric was an American hero, who was proud to be an American and to serve his country in our armed forces. We will never forget his service to our country.

“A dedicated family man, Cedric was a pure inspiration for bodybuilders and people to look up to. He will be greatly missed, by all.”

Arnold Sports Festival remembers McMillan, continued

“While Cedric’s competitive accomplishments, which included multiple professional wins alongside his 2017 Arnold Classic title, made him a star in the world of bodybuilding and fitness, the career he was most proud of was his 20+ years of selfless service to his country in the United States Army, where he achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class in July of 2021,” the post continued.

“Above all, Cedric McMillan was a husband and a father, and we send our most heartfelt condolences to his family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Arnold Sports Festival remembers McMillan

The Arnold Sports Festival, also known as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival, is a yearly multi-sport event including professional bodybuilding (Arnold Classic), strongman (Arnold Strongman Classic), fitness, figure, and bikini.

After McMillan’s passing, the event’s Instagram shared a tribute to the bodybuilder.

“Our entire family at the Arnold Sports Festival is heartbroken to learn of the passing of 2017 Arnold Classic Champion Cedric McMillan,” the post from April 12 reads.

“Known for his larger than life personality, his infectious smile, a gentle heart, and a sense of humor that was loved by fellow competitors and fans alike, Cedric will be deeply missed.”

Army service

Cedric McMillan didn’t just have a career as a bodybuilder.

He also served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, out of Fort Jackson in South Carolina.

When did McMillan go pro?

After winning the NPC Nationals in 2009, he went pro and went on to win the 2011 Orlando Show of Champions.

He backed that up with a win in the New York Pro in 2012, according to Popculture.com.

When did McMillan earn his Pro Card?

A bodybuilder must first get an IFBB Pro Card before becoming an IFBB Pro and to do so, a bodybuilder must first win a regional contest weight class.

When a bodybuilder places first or second in a competition, they are invited to compete in their country’s National Championships for that year.

After the National Championships, the champions of each weight class will compete in a separate tournament to determine who will be the overall champion for the year.

The overall champion may be granted a Pro Card depending on the federation.

McMillan earned his in 2009.

More on McMillan’s life

McMillan was a Sergeant First Class and an instructor at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

He presented himself as a family man who remained in touch with childhood buddies.

McMillan, a gifted drawing and amateur artist with a passion for music and culture, frequently displayed his creative abilities in elaborate and carefully choreographed posing routines.

McMillan’s early life, part three

Neil urged McMillan to compete in a bodybuilding event that was only four weeks away after seeing how his physique improved after only one month of training.

He went from a starting weight of 195 pounds to 225 pounds in the four weeks leading up to the tournament, competing at 205 pounds.

He won the super heavyweight class at the NPC South Carolina in 2007.

McMillan’s early life, continued

McMillan joined the US Army after high school and relocated to South Carolina.

His buddy Mark Neil persuaded him to attend his first bodybuilding competition not long after.

Neil assisted McMillan in gaining weight and learning more about bodybuilding.

McMillan’s early life

McMillan was fascinated by powerful physiques as a youngster, and he sketched comic characters with amazing physiques.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was an inspiration to him, especially after seeing him in Conan The Barbarian.

McMillan began exercising at the age of thirteen when his mother purchased a weight set for him.

It wasn’t long before he discovered he had strong bodybuilding genetics and a liking for the sport.

What did Brandon Curry say about McMillan?

Bodybuilder and friend of McMillan Brandon Curry took to Instagram to express his sadness at McMillan’s death.

In his caption, he wrote in part: “He loved bodybuilding no doubt. Bodybuilding will miss you bro and I will miss you too. Time to rest. Condolences to the family and friends.”

Other recent bodybuilding tragedies, part five

Following Meadows’ death in August, fans speculated his passing may have been related to a heart attack the bodybuilder suffered early last year following a career that spanned 30 years.

The athlete died after suffering a pulmonary embolism.

Finally, in July, female bodybuilder Odalis Santos Mena, 23, suffered cardiac arrest and died following a botched operation to stop her excess underarm sweat.

Coroners pointed to a lethal combination of the steroid Mena was taking and the anesthetic, The New York Post reported.

Other recent bodybuilding tragedies, part four

Shawn Rhoden, who became the oldest person to win the prestigious Mr Olympia title at the age of 43 in 2018, suffered a fatal heart attack in November.

Hours before he died, he posted about someone caring for his heart.

Rhoden said: “Be with someone who will take care of you. Not materialistically, but takes care of ur soul, ur well being, ur heart & everything that’s you,” the quote said.

Rhoden also added his own commentary to the quote, writing, “Real talk.”

Other recent bodybuilding tragedies, part three

Prince’s death came just days after the bodybuilding community was rocked by the passing of Ashley Gearhart as well.

The pro-bodybuilder passed away on January 29, her sister announced online.

She died in her sleep but her cause of death currently remains unknown.

Other recent bodybuilding tragedies, continued

In another example of tragedy striking down bodybuilding champions, Virginia-born athlete Tom Prince, 52, passed away on February 5 with his wife by his side.

He earned his pro card following the 1997 NPC National Championships before making his debut for the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness governing body in 1999.

However, the star was forced to retire in 2002 due to kidney issues that were caused by a genetic blood condition.

Other recent bodybuilding tragedies

The death of pro bodybuilder Cedric McMillan is just the latest tragedy to blight the sport.

His passing comes just two months after fellow stars Tom Prince and Ashley Gearhart died within days of one another.

And it comes just months after the industry was left reeling from the passing of Shawn Rhoden, who suffered a heart attack, and John Meadows, who died of a blood clot.

What heart issues did McMillan have, continued

He said he had spent three weeks in the hospital and lost 30 lbs, and spent the following month “ignoring the doctor’s advice” and trying to regain the weight he lost.

However, in a call-to-action for other bodybuilders, McMillan expressed the importance of spending a little less time at the gym and instead giving your time to the people you love.

What heart issues did McMillan have?

McMillan freely disclosed his cardiac problems prior to his death, and in November 2021, he explained why he would not compete in the Arnold Classic.

His near-death experience, he claimed, motivated him to take a step back and focus on his health.

“Back in July (2021), I was almost dead. Like almost notify the next of kin. My wife was with me but I was out of here,” he told Generation Iron.

McMillan’s final video shows medicine-covered counter, conclusion

McMillan then explained that a doctor recommended he pull out of the show and showed his followers his counter filled with medicine.

“I did what they asked and went on a liquid diet. Eating f***ing soup and eating weight gaining shakes,” he added.

McMillan’s final video shows medicine-covered counter, continued

“I’ve been having some issues for about four weeks now,” he shared, adding that he wanted to address rumors about his health.

“Ever since I tried to compete at the Legion show in Nevada back in October, I’ve been having issues with my stomach. I can’t keep food down for some reason,” the bodybuilder said.

“It creates some stupid a** hiccups, I’m hiccupping all day long and for half the night and anytime I eat, or even drinking water. It comes back up, nothing wants to stay down.”

McMillan’s final video shows medicine-covered counter

Bodybuilder Cedric McMillan’s final posts show his counter filled with medicine as he opened up about his health issues leading up to his death.

The 44-year-old’s passing was confirmed on Tuesday by his longtime sponsor Black Skull USA, following months of health troubles.

His family has not yet released a statement but confirmed the news to Generation Iron, which has reported that McMillan suffered a heart attack while on a treadmill.

Back in February, McMillan shared a video where he explained that he pulled out of the 2022 Arnold Classic a week before due to stomach issues.

Fans react on last Instagram post

Although Cedric McMillan’s last Instagram post seems to be a promotion for a product, people still took to the comments to remember the bodybuilder.

“RIP Cedric, you will be greatly missed my man,” one person wrote.

“RIP brother… I never got a chance to meet you but you were always an inspiration for us talk guys,” another commented.

“Im Heart broken. My condolences to your wife and family. You will be missed my brother,” someone else responded.

Final Instagram post

Cedric McMillan’s final Instagram post seems to be an ad.

He promoted WHEY ZERO ® in the post, alongside Blackskull USA.

Who was Cedric McMillan, continued

In 2011, at the Orlando Show of Champions, he won his first bodybuilding competition. He won the bodybuilding competition at the 2012 New York Pro a year later.

McMillan was known as “The One” because he was regarded as one of the greatest bodybuilders in the world.