Julia Linn was told she wouldn’t live past 40 but overcame all odds to become a champion.
At 11 years old, Julia Linn was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This led to many health complications, which led to a double-organ transplant. Linn was told by doctors that she might not live past 40 but she overcame all odds to become a bodybuilding champion.
Linn suffered many complications such as blindness, nerve damage, kidney failure, and early heart disease. At 34 years old, Linn’s kidneys failed and she was being prepared for dialysis while being place on the transplant list. According to Daily Mail, Linn spoke about a 12-hour surgery that was on the table.
“It was up to me to risk having both organs transplanted in a 12-hour touch-and-go surgery.
They were performing experimental pancreas transplants at the time. Only about 2,000 had been competed globally, and the risks were high. Countless people died during or after due to strokes, heart attacks, or other complications.”
Linn was eventually matched with an organ donor and underwent a transplant surgery. This is when Linn began defeating all of the odds and taking on a new venture in fitness.
Julia Linn’s Journey To Bodybuilding
Julia Linn quickly fund a passion for fitness. She was able to lose weight and build an impressive physique thanks to her extreme motivation and work ethic.
“I lost over 35 pounds on my 5’1 frame and gained a lot of stamina. My body became more sculpted than ever.”
Linn began working out multiple times a day, five days a week. She would go to the gym for one to two hours each day and do cardio, walking between 30-50 minutes four times a week. Along with her new workout regimen, Linn changed her diet plan. She made sure to incorporate plenty of protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats along with using a macro system to track food.
Julia Linn began competing last year and earned her first victory in 2023. She took the stage during the NPC Mel Chancey Champion Muscle Classic and won first place in the 60+ Masters Bikini division. This was her first of three competitions that she has competed in this year.
“My ‘why’ is still gratitude for being alive in this body. I would not live past the age of 40 unless I received a double-organ transplant that provided me with a functioning kidney and a pancreas.
You are never too old to learn. You have the knowledge and most likely the time but you must have a ‘why.'”
Linn’s story is an inspiration for those who are looking to better themselves with fitness. After overcoming all of her health issues, Linn has become a champion and will continue to show off her impressive physique on stage.
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