Latest news with #RaisingTheBar
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hayley McNeff, former bodybuilding champ, dies at 37
Hayley McNeff, a championship bodybuilder, died last Friday. She was 37. McNeff's obituary did not mention her cause of death, merely stating it was "unexpected but peaceful." McNeff, who was born in Massachusetts, won multiple bodybuilding competitions in 2009. She took first in the 2009 East Coast Classic and at the 2009 NPC Delaware State. Her journey to winning the 2009 NPC Delaware State was captured on the "Raising the Bar" documentary series. The series followed multiple bodybuilders as they prepared to compete at the 2009 NPC Delaware State. McNeff dabbled in a number of sports prior to competing in bodybuilding. She participated in horse riding, board diving and skiing when she was younger. After attending The University of Massachusetts Amherst, she got into bodybuilding. McNeff eventually retired from the sport and pursued a graduate degree in psychology. In her obituary, McNeff was remembered for her "quick wit" and for her "energy and determination." "Hayley was known for her quick wit and constant sense of humor, she had a gift for making those around her laugh and feel welcomed. Her energy and determination was a constant in her life and she always accomplished what she set out to achieve. She treasured her friendships and nurtured strong, lasting relationships with those who knew her best. Hayley will be deeply missed by her parents, siblings, extended family and friends." McNeff's funeral will be held Saturday, Aug. 16.
International Business Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- International Business Times
How Did Hayley McNeff Die? Champion Bodybuilder Dies Suddenly Aged 37 Leaving Fraternity in Shock
Champion bodybuilder Hayley McNeff has died at the age of 37, becoming the seventh bodybuilding death in the last six months. McNeff, originally from Concord, Massachusetts, died on August 8, though tributes only began appearing on Wednesday. Her cause of death has not yet bene revealed, but her obituary describes it as "unexpected yet peaceful." McNeff's funeral is scheduled for this Sunday. According to an obituary on she was active in several sports growing up — including skiing and diving — and was a skilled equestrian. A UMass Amherst graduate, McNeff found her passion for bodybuilding as an adult. After retiring, she planned to earn a graduate degree in psychology. Unexpected Death Hayley McNeff X McNeff shot to fame in the bodybuilding scene during the 2000s, winning multiple titles, including the 2009 East Coast Classic. She continued to compete into the 2010s and appeared in the 2016 bodybuilding documentary Raising The Bar, where she reflected on her career, saying, "The quest for getting huge will never end. There's no limit. I hope there's a day that I'll be able to look in the mirror 100 percent of the time and be like 'yeah man, I'm huge.'| Her death adds to a troubling wave of recent deaths in the bodybuilding world — now totaling seven in the last six months. In late July, Spanish bodybuilding champion Lorena Blanco died at 37 from a suspected heart attack while preparing to travel to Las Vegas for the Ms. Olympia competition. A month earlier, Colombian bodybuilder Zunilda Hoyos Mendez, 43, was brutally killed in Spain in a hammer attack after telling her husband she wanted a divorce. Her husband, Jarrod Gelling, was later found dead with knife wounds in what police suspect was a suicide. Too Many Unexpected Deaths Hayley McNeff X In May, two Brazilian weightlifters died within a week of each other. On May 6, 30-year-old champion Gui Bull died from asphyxiation, and just days later, fellow 30-year-old Wanderson da Silva Moreira collapsed and died while competing in the Pantanal bodybuilding championship. Back in April, 44-year-old bodybuilder and actor Vito Pirbazari suffered a fatal heart attack after collapsing on a treadmill. In March, 20-year-old bodybuilder Jodi Vance died after her heart stopped due to "severe dehydration," her family said in a statement. A study released earlier this year by the European Society of Cardiology found that "sudden cardiac death accounts for an unusually high percentage of deaths among male bodybuilders globally, with the greatest risk seen in professionals." The research determined that professional bodybuilders face a fivefold higher risk of sudden cardiac death compared to amateur competitors.
Scottish Sun
14-08-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Bodybuilding champion Hayley McNeff dies ‘unexpectedly but peacefully' aged 37 as devastated loved ones pay tribute
Her cause of death remains unknown 'TOO SOON' Bodybuilding champion Hayley McNeff dies 'unexpectedly but peacefully' aged 37 as devastated loved ones pay tribute Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BODYBUILDING star Hayley McNeff has died at the age of 37. The fitness fanatic and influencer died peacefully on August 8, according to her obituary. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Bodybuilder Hayley McNeff has died Credit: Instagram 2 The star died unexpectedly Credit: Instagram In the online Legacy tribute, her family described her as a "bright light" and someone who "left the world too soon." "Hayley was known for her quick wit and constant sense of humor, she had a gift for making those around her laugh and feel welcomed," they added. "Her energy and determination was a constant in her life and she always accomplished what she set out to achieve. "She treasured her friendships and nurtured strong, lasting relationships with those who knew her best." read more on sport STAR'S FEARS Legendary bodybuilder needs emergency surgery after pulling out of UK event McNeff's death was "unexpected," her family said, before revealing that she died peacefully. Her cause of death remains unknown at this time. The athlete picked up bodybuilding titles during the mid-2000s. She finished in first place in the 2009 East Coast Classic tournament. She went on to feature in the bodybuilding documentary Raising The Bar. Tributes from the fitness community have poured in following McNeff's death. Retired bodybuilder Dave Palumbo was left "sad" by the news of McNeff's death. "She was a good soul, super intelligent and had tremendous potential as a bodybuilder," he wrote on Facebook. "I was proud to be able to call her a friend." Hayley McNeff's family statement BODYBUILDER Hayley McNeff has died and her family has paid tribute to the athlete. "Hayley was known for her quick wit and constant sense of humor, she had a gift for making those around her laugh and feel welcomed," they said in the obituary published on Legacy. "Her energy and determination was a constant in her life and she always accomplished what she set out to achieve. "She treasured her friendships and nurtured strong, lasting relationships with those who knew her best. "Hayley will be deeply missed by her parents, siblings, extended family and friends." Meanwhile, Maryann Amerault recalled how she first met McNeff while at the prestigious Arnold Sports Festival event. "I actually couldn't stand Hayley the first time we met at the Arnold (turns out I was the problem), but we became besties after meeting up at the USAs later that same year," she wrote online. The pair lived together in Vegas in 2010 and Amerault reminisced on their times together. "Hayley taught me not to take myself so seriously, and that I shouldn't trust my first impressions of people," she added. "She was an old soul: extroverted, blunt, funny, and incredibly kind-hearted. "Oh, and she could hit a most muscular pose on command better than any other woman I know. "She had a way of making everyone around her smile. Hayley was truly a light in this world." McNeff last posted on social media in May where she shared a throwback snap from 2019. Her recent social media content consisted of images showing her working out in the gym. McNeff's death comes just weeks after Spanish bodybuilding star died Lorena Blanco died after suffering a suspected heart attack. And, powerlifting ace Christina Bitner died just three days after her 41st birthday. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Irish Sun
14-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Bodybuilding champion Hayley McNeff dies ‘unexpectedly but peacefully' aged 37 as devastated loved ones pay tribute
'TOO SOON' Bodybuilding champion Hayley McNeff dies 'unexpectedly but peacefully' aged 37 as devastated loved ones pay tribute BODYBUILDING star Hayley McNeff has died at the age of 37. The fitness fanatic and influencer died peacefully on August 8, according to her obit. 2 Bodybuilder Hayley McNeff has died Credit: Instagram 2 The star died unexpectedly Credit: Instagram Her family described her as a "bright light" and someone who "left the world too soon." "Hayley was known for her quick wit and constant sense of humor, she had a gift for making those around her laugh and feel welcomed," they added. "Her energy and determination was a constant in her life and she always accomplished what she set out to achieve. "She treasured her friendships and nurtured strong, lasting relationships with those who knew her best." McNeff's cause of death remains unknown. The athlete picked up bodybuilding titles during the mid-2000s. She finished in first place in the 2009 East Coast Classic tournament. She went on to feature in the bodybuilding documentary Raising The Bar. Tributes from the fitness community have poured in following McNeff's death. Retired bodybuilder Dave Palumbo was left "sad" by the news of McNeff's death. "She was a good soul, super intelligent and had tremendous potential as a bodybuilder," he wrote on Facebook. "I was proud to be able to call her a friend." Meanwhile, Maryann Amerault recalled how she first met McNeff while at the prestigious Arnold Sports Festival event. "I actually couldn't stand Hayley the first time we met at the Arnold (turns out I was the problem), but we became besties after meeting up at the USAs later that same year," she wrote online. The pair lived together in Vegas in 2010 and Amerault reminisced on their times together. "Hayley taught me not to take myself so seriously, and that I shouldn't trust my first impressions of people," she added. "She was an old soul: extroverted, blunt, funny, and incredibly kind-hearted. "Oh, and she could hit a most muscular pose on command better than any other woman I know. "She had a way of making everyone around her smile. Hayley was truly a light in this world." McNeff last posted on social media in May where she shared a throwback snap from 2019. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
Scoop
30-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Raising The Bar Serves Up Fresh Thinking In Auckland Pubs
Raising the Bar is back, pouring the University of Auckland's most fascinating and future-shaping research straight into bars across the inner city. Among the topics on the menu at this year's event on Tuesday 26 August are the power of urban design to create and connect communities, how cutting-edge science is personalising health treatment like never before, the science of safer drug use and why big tech's unchecked AI development is a code red for democracy. With 20 talks held across ten bars in Auckland's CBD on one night, Raising the Bar gives alumni and the general public a chance to directly engage with top academics from the University of Auckland, all while enjoying their favourite drop. 'At its heart, Raising the Bar is about making research real and relevant,' says Mark Bentley, Director of Alumni Relations and Development at the University of Auckland. 'These talks bring important ideas into everyday spaces, sparking conversations about health, technology, culture and more – conversations that extend far beyond the University.' Originally launched in New York in 2013, Raising the Bar is now a global initiative – and the University of Auckland has proudly brought the event to local audiences since 2017. This year's talks will be held at bars across Auckland's CBD, including in Wynyard Quarter, Victoria Park and City Works Depot. Each venue will host two sessions, starting at 6pm and 8pm, with punters free to move from one bar to another to catch their preferred talks. All talks are free, but with the event expected to sell out early registration is recommended. Visit the Raising The Bar website to register your place now. This year's full line-up: Merryn Tawhai – Reimagining healthcare with human digital twins Rhys Ponton – From lab coats to late nights: the science of safer drug use Simon Young – Broken knees, bionic fixes and the rise of robot surgeons David Krofcheck – Out of this world: the smallest and most surprising liquid in the Universe Justin O'Sullivan – Swab, sequence, surprise! How science is personalising your health Mohsen Mohammadzadeh – Robo-rides and city life: what could go wrong? Andrew Erueti – The limits of liberal equality and the future of Māori self-determination Christina Stringer – Closer than you think: migrant exploitation and modern slavery in Aotearoa Olaf Diegel – 3D printing the future Darren Svirskis – The quest to find a cure for spinal cord injury Claire Meehan – Not just jokes: how misogyny online is shaping teen culture Alexandra Andhov – Code red for democracy: when big tech becomes bigger than government Sophie Tomlinson – 'Tragical-comical-historical-pastoral': Shakespeare's Cymbeline Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere – We know animals are sentient. What does that mean for their legal status? Chris Ogden – Global authoritarianism: how to spot it and how to stop it Joel Rindelaub – Breathing plastic: Aotearoa's invisible pollution problem Antje Fiedler – Rewriting the playbook: how Kiwi businesses can thrive in a changing world Lee Beattie – Beyond buildings: urban design's power to create and connect communities Laura Burn – A human history of looking up: from stargazing to space lasers Tom Allen – A carbon fibre yarn: weaving fossil fuel roots into a sustainable future
