Recently through watching certain bodybuilding memes and videos across the internet I came across a persona called Zyzz. Somehow, I was curious about this personality and wanted to know more about him. He died 10 years back and is still being referenced in videos till today. Who was Aziz Shavershian, and why is he still remembered in the fitness world?
Aziz Sergeyevich Shavershian better known as Zyzz was a Russian born Australian bodybuilder and model. He was born on 24th March 1989 in Moscow. He was the youngest son of Maiane Iboian and Sergei Shavershian. He had an elder brother Said Shavershian who goes by the screen name ‘Chestbrah’.
Aziz was 4 years old when his family moved to Australia. He was raised in Eastwood, New South Wales. Aziz before his bodybuilding life was a skinny kid who spent most of his time inside his house playing world of warcraft. Apparently, his thin size made him insecure and his brother was already spending time in the gym.
Aziz decided to sell his world of warcraft account for 500 dollars and got a membership in the gym. From then on, he would work out everyday. He even made a youtube account called ‘7zyzz7’ which has about 50 k subscribers. He would post videos of his day to day life and eventually he gained popularity on the internet for his figure which had been transforming through time spent in the gym.
Eventually, he developed a persona on the internet where he spent time trolling people and sharing his hilarious content which garnered further attention from people some of whom became his cult followers. Even though, he was just having fun with his persona and came across as a different individual in real life, a lot of people saw him as narcissistic and criticized him. Zyzz was known to be the alter ego that he created. His character in real life was probably a lot different. Zyzz was his the stereotypical image that Aziz fantasized about being.
So, that is how one of the most polarizing figures of the 21st century was born. He featured in shows like the Underbelly and National Road Trip. He launched his own protein label and also his book on bodybuilding.
However, the fame he gained took a toll on him to the point where in he could no longer leave his house without feelings of anxiety and paranoia. Zyzz had had enough of fame and girls flocking to him. He made a post on the internet where he wanted to stop being the alter persona ‘Zyzz’ that he had created. He took time off and went to Thailand for a 1 month vacation to relax his mind.
Tragically, he suffered a heart attack while sitting in a sauna in Pattaya on 5th August 2011.
His youtube channel is still present on youtube today. Zyzz is a motivation to a lot of people and his legacy lives on to this day.