YouTuber and bodybuilding influencer Jo Lindner, known to fans as Joesthetics, has died at the age of 30, his partner confirmed.
The athlete, originally from Germany, rose to internet fame after sharing details of his fitness journey and providing tips for bulking and weightlifting.
The news was first shared by his friend Noel Deyzel in an Instagram post.
“Rest in peace Jo. I keep checking my phone, still waiting for your reply so we can meet at the gym,” he wrote.
His girlfriend Nicha, also a bodybuilder, took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to her partner, revealing that he died in her arms on Friday afternoon.
“We were just lying down cuddling, and then this happened too fast. Three days ago, he kept saying he had pain in his neck.” By the time they realised what was happening, it was too late, she said.
Nicha went on to say the YouTuber died of an aneurysm, though this has not been confirmed as the cause of death, before sharing the last video they recorded together.
Mr Lindner had previously shared that he suffered from rippling muscle disease, a condition in which the muscles are unusually sensitive to movement or pressure. In an interview with fellow YouTuber Bradley Martin, the German bodybuilder spoke about his health concerns related to overtraining: “The heart is also a muscle, that’s my biggest concern – what if I get such a bad cramp that my heart cramps.”
He also mentioned that he was considering limiting his participation in bodybuilding competitions to prioritise his health. In his last post on Instagram, the YouTube star discussed his struggles with Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and warned of its potential long-term effects.
During his time as a social media influencer, Lindner had amassed almost a million subscribers on YouTube and eight million followers on Instagram. Many of his fans rushed to express their sadness at the tragic news.
“Your work as a fitness connoisseur and professional has inspired and motivated millions of people to become the strongest and best-looking versions of themselves. We’ll miss you, man,” one fan wrote.
Another said: “Rest in peace. You motivated me to believe in my potential and fight to achieve it. Today, I dedicate my training to you. Legend.”
