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‘Nothing can bring him back’

Former TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter and her family are mourning a devastating loss.

Carter made a social media post Monday informing everyone that her mother Janice has passed away. Janice Carter, along with her husband Bob, founded the independent power company Panda Energy International in 1982 and served as an executive of Panda for decades. They played an important role in pro wrestling history by financially backing TNA and keeping the promotion in business while it was owned by Panda Energy.

In her tribute, Dixie called Janice the rock of their family and promised to spend the rest of her life making her proud.

“I’m heartbroken that my precious mama passed away last night. I’m heartbroken for all selfish reasons. I will miss her in more ways than I could ever count,” Dixie wrote. “It’s such a surreal feeling and I know the weight of it has not hit me yet. I will survive knowing she is with God and surrounded by her family in heaven. Please pray for our family as we have lost our Honies, our rock. She was the most amazing mom and I have been so blessed in countless ways by her. She loved her family fiercely and there was nothing more important except her love for God. She was beautiful, smart, a great businesswoman, giving, tough, and always helping others. I will live every day for the rest of my life trying to do the same and to make you proud. I love you so much, mama. I’m going to miss you like crazy!!”

When TNA lost its lead investor in 2002, Dixie — who had worked with TNA in a public relations role — pitched the idea of Panda Energy buying the promotion to her parents. The move saved TNA then and kept the promotion alive even at its roughest points. Because of that, TNA still exists today under the ownership of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, which acquired the promotion from Dixie in 2017.

Whether it’s social media influence, peer pressure, or the competitive nature of high school sports, it’s common for teens to develop body image issues. Some are determined to become dangerously thin, while others are the opposite, fixated on building excessive muscle. Those in the latter category might develop a condition called bigorexia, or muscle dysmorphia. 

For teens with bigorexia, the desire to get bigger and more muscular leads to compulsive workout schedules, strict diets, and, at times, consuming risky supplements or steroids. Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about what bigorexia entails, potential risk factors, dangerous effects on the body and mind, and how to create a positive body image in a society plagued by unrealistic body and beauty standards.

What is Bigorexia?

Bigorexia is a type of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a mental health condition that causes someone to become obsessed with perceived flaws in their physical appearance that are often unnoticeable to others. 

More specifically, bigorexia falls into a subcategory of BDD called muscle dysmorphia—a debilitating fixation on muscle size and physical appearance. Research published in The International Journal of Clinical Practice states that those with bigorexia hold a strong desire to have less body fat and more muscle.

A person struggling with bigorexia might believe they are too small or not muscular enough, even if they’re actually in great shape. They may feel the need to keep working out and building muscle to get the exact look they want, even when other people see them as strong or well-built.

“[Their] concern causes such distress that they engage in a lot of compulsive checking behaviors and rituals to try to change how they look,” explains Nancy Zucker, PhD, Director of the Duke Center for Eating Disorders. “It’s to such a degree that it impairs their functioning. [It’s an] all-consuming fixation.”

Because many with bigorexia turn to supplements and restrictive diets, it can also be considered an eating disorder. While anyone can develop bigorexia, Dr. Zucker notes that it’s thought to be more common in men.

What Causes Bigorexia?

Both societal and psychological factors can play a significant role in developing bigorexia. Possible causes might be some combination of the following:

Underlying anxiety

Dr. Zucker explains that social anxiety, in particular, can be a precursor to body image issues and disorders like bigorexia because of the underlying insecurity and fear of rejection. 

“For many eating or anxiety disorders, social anxiety kind of comes first,” she explains. [There is] this fear of being negatively evaluated by other people and really wanting to be included.” 

This fear of being viewed negatively by others, or not being accepted by your peers, is a key vulnerability that can lead to disorders like bigorexia.

Social media influence

Today’s teens are constantly inundated with images that harm their body image as they scroll through the Instagram-perfect lives of other people. Not surprisingly, many of these images on social media present unrealistic beauty standards that are not achievable for the average kid. 

This can make it easy for them to feel like they don’t look good enough, or that they look different enough from other people their age that it might make them believe they’ll be rejected or ridiculed for their looks. 

“Teens and preteens in the past may have looked at models in single magazines that were published once a month, or on TV shows,” says Julie Stefanski MEd, RDN, a Registered Dietician Nutritionist and Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. “Kids today are constantly inundated with images of people [who] don’t necessarily look like the typical person in society.”

Teens who are trying to mimic adult athletes or bodybuilders will gravitate toward products being sold on their favorite social media platforms.

“Products that are advertised to improve performance, stimulate muscle growth, and increase endurance or stamina can pique a teen’s curiosity and seem like a quick fix for their insecurities,” she says.

Competition and peer pressure

The teenage years are marked by their emotional turmoil—and most teens are especially keen to fit in,at any cost. If friends or classmates are focused on working out, bulking up, or achieving a certain body type, it can lead to an unhealthy sense of competition or comparison.

Along these lines, sports like football or wrestling can put a lot of pressure on teens to improve strength and muscle mass, which are often tied to performance. 

“Children internalize what they hear at home, at sports practice, and at school,” says Stefanski. “Whether you’re a parent, family member, teacher, or coach, it’s completely unnecessary to offer a commentary about body weight or muscular build.”

The same goes for any adults, parents and family members included, who constantly comment on how much and what types of food a child eats—this type of talk can easily lead to damaging body image issues.

What are the Signs a Teen May Be Struggling with Bigorexia?

Certain signs of bigorexia can be obvious, while others are more subtle. Here are some warning signs to look out for that a teen may be struggling with bigorexia:

• Working out interferes with life and relationships: They may prioritize workouts over school, hobbies, and even time with friends and family, often skipping social events to avoid missing a workout. “You should have the flexibility to say, ‘I was planning on doing this workout, but my best friend’s birthday party is tonight,’” says Dr. Zucker. 
• A change in eating patterns: Stefanski adds that teens may skip meals, avoid favorite foods, or repeat meals daily that don’t vary. They may also request protein powders or foods geared toward bodybuilders or dieters from the grocery store. 
• Frequently checking their appearance: They may constantly look at themselves in the mirror (known as “body checking”), measure their muscle size, or wear clothing that emphasizes muscle tone. In contrast, they may also wear extra baggy clothing to hide their perceived lack of muscles. 
• Mood swings: Muscle dysmorphia can cause obsessive behaviors and intrusive thoughts, leading to extreme insecurity, anxiety, depression, or irritability. You may notice they become overly defensive when talking about their body or angry if they have to miss a workout. Keep track of any sudden personality changes. 
• Exercise becomes a need, not a want: They no longer find joy in working out—instead, it’s a way to relieve anxiety or guilt.

The Mental and Physical Effects of Bigorexia 

Bigorexia doesn’t just affect how teens see themselves—it can take a significant toll on both their body and mind, especially if extreme dieting or supplementation is included. These are some potential mental and physical effects of bigorexia in teens: 

• Nutritional deficiencies: Stefanski states that protein-packed meat, especially poultry, may be prioritized over other foods in an attempt to build muscle and reduce body fat. She explains that diets that center on meat do not provide a good balance of vitamins and may not provide adequate calcium for bone development. 
• Overtraining injuries: A compulsive exercise schedule without enough rest can lead to muscle strains, joint pain, stress fractures, and fatigue.
• Hormonal imbalances: According to Stefanski, “An imbalanced diet that prioritizes protein as the only goal decreases other important food groups like vegetables and fruits that contribute beneficial nutrients for the immune system and hormonal balance.” A nutritionist can help your child determine the healthiest diet for their body. 
• Anxiety and depression: The fixation on having the perfect body can cause significant stress, leading to obsessive thoughts and constant worry over working out and food intake. 
• Dangerously low body fat: Dr. Zucker explains that extremely low body fat can negatively impact hormone levels, brain organization, and overall health. If body fat seems particularly low, this should be an issue addressed with your child’s pediatrician. 
• Withdrawal and isolation: They may prioritize workout and diet routines over spending time with friends and family and avoid social events if they interfere.
• A lack of essential calories: Stefanski explains that no amount of protein intake will lead to muscle growth if total calorie needs aren’t met. “Rather than using protein for muscle synthesis, the protein will be converted to use as an energy source by the body.  No amount of protein powders or dietary supplements can make up for skipped meals and excessive restriction.”  

How Can Parents Support a Teen with Bigorexia?

If you’re noticing clear signs of bigorexia in your teen, professional intervention is likely the best option, says Dr. Zucker. She explains that treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy may be needed, as parents may not be able to address the issue on their own.

“You can’t reason someone out of it,” she says.

That said, there are still some ways parents can work in tandem with a mental health professional and a pediatrician to support healing, including:

• Have open conversations: Ask how they have been feeling about their body image and workouts, approaching the conversation with care and without judgment.
• Avoiding criticism: Instead of stating your concern for how much they’re working out, ask questions like, “I noticed you’ve been at the gym a lot—how are you feeling?”
• Encourage balance: Offer to help them find a healthy balance between working out, nutrition, social activities, and rest. 
• Limit social media: Breaks from social media can help them avoid unrealistic body comparisons.
• Validate how they feel: Ensure that it’s okay to feel insecure sometimes and that you understand the pressure of wanting to fit in with their peers. That said, you can also remind them that their body image is not tied to self-worth or value.

How to Create a Healthy Body Image at Home

As parents, you always want the best for your child—but as much as we’d like to, we can’t control every single factor that contributes to the development of body image concerns. You also can’t control everything your teen is exposed to—even if you use strong parental controls at home, you can’t always predict what they’ll encounter once they walk out the door.

Promote positive self-talk in the home 

That said, you can reduce the likelihood that your child will develop an eating disorder by being a positive, steady source of support. One of the best things you can do, says Stefanski, is think about how you’re commenting on your own body. 

“Some families have daily conversations about weight, dieting, and body shape. This type of discussion becomes ingrained in how children view themselves,” she says. “I’ve seen people feel negative about their body weight throughout their whole lifetime. Breaking the constant diet mentality cycle and determining self-worth based on the scale begins with ending conversations about dieting and negative body commentary in front of your children.”

Be careful how you describe certain foods

She recommends avoiding using words like “toxic” or “clean” when talking about foods, adding, “Children are concrete thinkers. If you call a delicious cake a toxic food, they are not going to understand why it’s ok to eat cake for a birthday. This mentality takes the joy out of occasionally enjoying tasty foods that also happen to be high in added sugar.” 

Limit screen time

When it comes to social media, Stefanski stresses the importance of recognizing harmful accounts—and you should also make sure that your kids have other interests besides spending time online.

“Teens need to be aware that social media influencers who are selling dietary supplements or products have an interest in you believing their information, even if it is misleading, so that you buy their products. You can teach kids to look for the hashtag #sponsored, [which means] the influencer is following FTC rules regarding sponsorship of their info.”

Keep Checking in With Your Kids

At the end of the day, all we can do as parents is focus on the things within our control —modeling healthy attitudes, maintaining open communication, and helping our kids build confidence and meaningful connections.

Dr. Zucker emphasizes the importance of connecting with your child as often as possible. Many times, families are so overscheduled they become like ships passing in the night, allowing obsessive behaviors to creep in under the radar. She adds that regular check-ins are important, along with honest conversations about setting healthy limits for certain behaviors—and that it’s possible to do too much of a good thing.

Along with open communication with your teen, fostering strong social connections and teaching them how to engage with others can serve as a powerful tool against disorders like bigorexia. 

“[It’s about] helping them so that they feel comfortable having meaningful conversations with people and helping them with the basics [of] connecting to others,” says Dr. Zucker. “I think that’s the best protection against these obsessive, physical appearance-focused disorders.”

Family photo

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

The father of Norwegian middle-distance runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen has gone on trial accused of violently abusing his son.

Jakob, 24, spent the weekend underlining his position as one of the world’s finest athletes by winning gold medals in the 3,000 metres and 1,500 metres at the World Indoor Championships in China.

His father Gjert, who used to coach his son, could face up to six years in jail over an alleged 14-year campaign of domestic abuse, which also allegedly involved Jakob’s younger sister.

The defence has played the first episode of the TV documentary series Team Ingebrigtsen in court, saying that if there was evidence of abuse the film-makers would have uncovered it.

“This claim of domestic abuse is unique because there were productions being made with the family in training camps, during holidays and in everyday life. If there had been systematic abuse it would have been discovered,” Gjert’s defence lawyer Heidi Reisvang told The Associated Press.

Ms Reisvang added that the court should differentiate between the role of coach and father.

“It is clear that someone training to be a world champion has a different upbringing to most people and the rules will be strict when related to eating, sleeping and training,” she said.

Gjert became a prominent media figure in Norway in 2016 following his involvement in the Team Ingebrigtsen series, in which he was seen coaching his three track and field sons, Jakob, Filip and Henrik.

The series ran until 2021.

By 2022 the trio had parted ways with their coach-father and the following year co-signed a column in the national newspaper, VG, accusing Gjert of physical violence and intimidation.

The police opened an investigation, with court proceedings eventually brought relating to Gjert’s treatment of Jakob and his younger sister.

On Monday, the prosecution read out the charges, which relate to violation of sections 219 and 282 of the Norwegian Penal Code relating to maltreatment in close relationships.

Asked how he pleaded, Gjert replied “not guilty”.

Gjert continued coaching after the split with his sons and now guides Jakob’s 1,500 metres Norwegian rival Narve Gilje Nordas, who will give evidence for the defence in court.

Jakob missed the first day of the trial but is due to give evidence on Tuesday after a 5,000-mile journey from Nanjing in China back to the Soer Rogaland District Court in his home city of Sandnes on the west coast of Norway.

The trial is due to last until May 16.

A woman in Colorado is facing a criminal negligence charge and more than 50 counts of animal cruelty after she allegedly left her elderly mother with dementia home alone with dozens of loose and caged dogs.

Jessica Hoff, 47, was arrested on Friday, March 21, in connection to the February death of her mother, 76-year-old LaVonne Hoff, according to a press release from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said that they were sent to the mother and daughter’s home, located on the 4800 block of Jefferson Blvd in Colorado City, on Feb. 3, after receiving a report about an unconscious woman.

When they arrived at the scene, deputies found several dogs running around the house and “another approximately two dozen dogs and seven birds in cages in the home.”

Medical personnel pronounced LaVonne dead at the scene, and an autopsy later concluded she had died from injuries sustained in a dog attack, according to the sheriff’s office.

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“LaVonne Hoff reportedly had dementia and required 24-hour care,” the press release stated, adding that Jessica had allegedly left her mother home alone to run errands in Pueblo, about 25 miles away.

Detectives said they searched another Colorado City property owned by Jessica, where they found 54 dogs and seven birds in her possession.

“The dogs and birds were found living in unsanitary conditions and several of the dogs were in poor health,” deputies said. “The Sheriff’s Office worked with Animal Law Enforcement to seize the dogs and the birds.”

The sheriff’s office added that Jessica has officially been charged with criminal negligence resulting in the death of an at-risk adult, as well as 54 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

According to court records obtained by PEOPLE. she has been booked into the Pueblo County Jail and jail records show that her bond was set at $50,000. Jessica is next due in court on March 27.

Where do you draw the line?

Have you ever said something that you felt was “brutally honest but needed to be said” and then thought the conversation was over? If you did, and then people started to “bite back” at your comments, you’d likely regret the words that started the whole thing. For a certain Roblox CEO, he got to experience that the hard way when, not too long ago, he made the statement that parents who didn’t want their kids playing his game…should just not let their kids play the game. That “brutally honest” statement immediately sent shockwaves throughout the community, with many unhappy at what he said.

For proof of this, you need only look at this BBC article. Roblox is huge in the UK among kids under 13, and that means that there are plenty of parents within the UK that have seen the “various sides of the game” and how it affects their kids. Many parents called the BBC to let their stories be known, and you might be stunned at how wide the range of stories they got were.

For example, one parent of a 15-year-old said that their “boy was addicted to the game” and that they couldn’t get him off it. In fact, even when this player has gotten bans, the teen was able to figure ways around those bans so he could keep playing it!

Another parent noted how their child, a young girl, was approached by someone on the platform who asked her for very inappropriate things. Thankfully, the daughter didn’t do it, but the interaction was enough to bring the mother to tears. Yet, when she reported it to the game’s support team…she never heard back from them.

Now, to be fair, the BBC also has stories about parents who have had positive tales about what the game did for their children, and that’s to be expected when you have so many people playing this massively expansive title. There will be those who are able to have “pure” experiences without anything being ruined.

However, on the flip side, there will also be tales of those who have been hurt by the game or are addicted to it. The problem here isn’t that these bad tales happen, per se, but that they happen in great numbers, and that the dev team’s response is to “just not let the kid play the game.”

In today’s day and age, kids and teens often know their tech better than their parents, so that’s an easy “pitfall” to get around.

The actress is currently basking in her baby bubble having welcomed her first child into the world with her husband Mark Wright

Michelle Keegan has been flooded with messages as she offered a fresh update, but this time not on her new motherhood journey.

The actress is currently basking in her baby bubble having welcomed her first child into the world with her husband Mark Wright earlier this month.

Michelle and Mark, who surprised fans with their pregnancy news after Christmas, announced the arrival of their sweet baby girl on March 12, days after she officially made her entrance into the world.

The loved-up couple, who will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in May, confirmed they had welcomed their daughter on March 6, before announcing her arrival alongside a first photo and the bundle of joy’s unique name.

Alongside a black and white photo of them holding their newborn’s tiny hand on Instagram, Michelle and Mark told their millions of followers: “Together we have a new love to share … Our little girl. Palma Elizabeth Wright… 06.03.25.”

Former Coronation Street star Michelle previously said that she’d be taking a chunk of time off work to enjoy being a new mum but on Monday (March 24), she did return to social media with a bit of a professional update.

She was sharing a look at her latest clothing collection with Very. The new spring/summer range for the online retailer eatures minimalist, modern styles with key wardrobe staples like dresses, loungewear, knits, denim, and jackets.

The new mum herself, who shot the photos for the collection while pregnant, looked sensational as she was seen posing in a brown cut-out gown with gold embellishments before slipping into a pearl-encrusted knitted maxi dress.

The former soap star, who shot to fame playing Tina McIntyre in ITV’s Corrie, was also seen in a lemon suit with oversized blazer and matching scarf in the Grecian inspired photoshoot.

Sharing a number of pictures on Instagram, Michelle wrote to her millions of followers: “A new season calls for a wardrobe refresh… spring, I’m ready for you!”

And the comments quickly came flooding in. @bead_dazzled_by_jade said: “Stunning.” @swannyboy2 commented: “Absolutely beautiful.” @char.lucie replied: “Really beautiful.”

@sophieedaviss posted: “Oh they all look unreal!! May have to treat myself.” @rivergibbsclothing posted: “Absolutely beautiful.” @mythreegrandsons3 added: “You look amazing, picture 5 is the best I think.”

It comes after Michelle also shared a sweet update on their little girl on social media. She posted a close-up shot of her baby girl’s tiny foot on her Instagram Stories, captioning the sweet snap on Saturday (March 22) with: “Simply magic,” alongside a twinkling star emoji.

Gjert Ingebrigtsen, the father and former coach of the Norwegian runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen, pleaded not guilty as his trial began on Monday. He is accused of physically abusing two of his children, including the two-times Olympic champion.

The 59-year-old could face up to six years in prison if found guilty, with the trial expected to run until mid-May in the city of Sandnes. Norwegian police pressed charges against Ingebrigtsen Sr last year, accusing him of abusing two of his seven children, including Jakob for several years.

The police started their investigation in October 2023 when Jakob and his fellow athlete brothers, Filip and Henrik, accused their father of physical violence and abusive behaviour in a Norwegian newspaper column. The charge against Gjert for the abuse of his daughter was filed at the end of April 2024. Six months later he was also charged with abusing Jakob.

Jakob, who completed a golden double in the 1500m and 3,000m at the world indoor championships in Nanjing, China on Sunday, accused his father of several incidents of abuse, according to Norwegian media, including slapping him twice in 2008 and kicking him in the stomach after he fell off a scooter in 2009.

Gjert announced in 2022 that he was stepping down as coach not long after Jakob won Olympic gold in the 1500m in Tokyo, prompting widespread speculation in Norway over their rift.

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The family became a household name in 2016 when the TV show Team Ingebrigtsen aired for five seasons on the national broadcaster, NRK, showcasing the large family as they trained and balanced their sporting ambitions with daily life.

A mother-of-four struck by terminal stomach cancer and given months to live has warned of the easy-to-dismiss symptom that she mistook for a complication of her weight loss diet.

Camilla Chapman, 40, from Chichester, West Sussex, embarked on a low-calorie slimming diet early last year, which featured a large number of liquid meals like soups and shakes. 

But she soon found she had trouble swallowing solid foods, a classic symptom of stomach cancer. 

Unbothered, the nursery owner assumed it was merely a sign her muscles had ‘become lazy’ while chewing as a result of her primarily liquid diet. 

The few solid foods she could manage would ‘quite often get stuck’, she told The Independent.

‘I ignored it. I thought my body was just used to swallowing liquid and not food.’

It was only in June, when Ms Chapman noticed a small lump underneath her jaw, that she visited her GP for advice.

A subsequent scan found ‘nothing was wrong’ and put her mind at ease for several months.

 However, when the swallowing problems continued, she decided to return to her GP for advice in January of this year.

This time, Ms Chapman was referred for a blood test and then, three weeks later, an endoscopy, where a flexible camera is inserted down the throat to examine the stomach.

A sample of the tissue from her stomach was taken and analysed and, on February 1, Ms Chapman was given the devastating news she had stomach cancer.

A CT scan then revealed her disease had spread to her lungs, liver and lymph nodes, putting her in the advanced stages of the illness that cannot be cured. 

‘The doctor told us there was nothing he can do,’ she said.

‘Surgery isn’t an option and chemo may give us a bit more time but overall my life would be over within a year.’

She has now urged others not to dismiss difficulties swallowing.

‘It can be just a small change, maybe how you swallow or sound, but I would tell anyone who had the same symptoms as me to just go and get it checked out.’

Other symptoms of stomach cancer include heartburn or acid reflux, nausea, frequent burping, and feeling full very quickly after eating.

Ms Chapman said she didn’t experience any of these problems.

Ms Chapman, who has four sons aged eight, seven, five and three, has decided not to undergo end-of-life chemotherapy.

‘Unfortunately I am unable to have any immunotherapy and the only option for me is palliative chemo, this only has a 50 per cent chance of slowing things but will also make me sick. I don’t want to become a sick mummy,’ she said. 

‘I can’t even imagine not being here to see them grow up.’ 

She is seeking to raise £100,000 to have private treatment at a clinic overseas via an online fundraiser. 

‘I really need to get some money in quickly so I can get this treatment booked and give me a chance of surviving, because I need to be here,’ she said.  

About 6,500 patients in Britain and 30,000 in the US are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year.

The disease kills about 4,000 Britons and 11,000 Americans per annum. 

If caught in its earliest stages, the majority of stomach cancer patients (65 per cent) will survive a decade after their diagnosis according to charity Cancer Research UK. 

However, for stage four patients, 10-year survival drops to just one in five.