As an avid fitness enthusiast, Cooney had been involved in bodybuilding since the age of 16. When he was 18, a doctor warned him to limit weightlifting to avoid harming his body, but Cooney, who considered himself "invincible," did not take this advice seriously.
In order to improve his physique, Cooney had long consumed large amounts of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing supplements. Later, he experienced chest pain and sought medical attention, where he was diagnosed with severely impaired heart function. Despite this, he continued to engage in high-intensity workouts three to four times a week, disregarding the doctor's advice. As a result, he suddenly collapsed on his way home from visiting friends and died despite rescue efforts.
Cooney's attending physician stated that while it is understandable for people to enhance their self-image through fitness to boost confidence, sacrificing health for this purpose is not worth it. It is known that many fitness enthusiasts resort to injecting anabolic steroids to improve their physique, despite the potential health risks associated with these substances.
