The ex-wife of former Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has revealed her incredible new body as a competitive bodybuilder.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce’s marriage breakdown may have delivered him a new baby as well as a new relationship. But for his ex wife Natalie it’s delivered her a whole new body.
Ms Joyce has stepped out on stage in Newcastle at the weekend and revealed her new hobby — competitive bodybuilding.
Natalie Joyce prior to her full body transformation. Picture: Ray StrangeSource:News Corp Australia
She reportedly won two medals in her first competition in the First Timers and Miss Fitness Model Momma categories at the iCompete Natural (ICN) North Coast Classic bodybuilding competition in New Lambton in Newcastle on the weekend.
Natalie Joyce shows off her incredible new look during the iCompete Natural bodybuilding competition on Sunday. Picture: Ignacio TseSource:Supplied
The 49-year-old has reportedly lost 15kg as part of her body transformation.
Her trainer Kylie Steele was stoked at her student’s success: “One very proud coach!! 2 x 4th placings, first Comp!!!” she said on Instagram. “Congratulations Natalie Joyce you did me proud!”
The mum of four repaid the compliment to Ms Steele remarking: “There were doubters, but you never did. You believed in me, encouraged me (with) a gentle, strong guiding hand.
“Thank you for being part of my amazing journey and to my friends who believed I could.”
Ms Joyce included the hash tag #strongwoman.
Barnaby and Natalie Joyce in Tamworth in 2016 in happier times. Picture: AAP Image/Dan HimbrechtsSource:AAP
Natalie Joyce pictured with her daughters (from left) Odette, Bridgett, Caroline and Julia.Source:News Corp Australia
Barnaby Joyce with his new partner Vikki Campion and their son Sebastian in July last year. Picture: Channel 9Source:Channel 9
Ms Joyce told The Daily Telegraph her daughters thought she “had gone mad when I told them I would be strutting my stuff wearing nothing more than a skimpy bikini, flexing my muscles for all to see”.
Ms Joyce split with her husband last year after it was revealed he was in a relationship with former staffer Vikki Campion.
Mr Joyce lost his job over the controversial relationship with his former media adviser.
They have since had a son Sebastian and in January they revealed they were to have a second son to be named Thomas. Ms Campion is expected to give birth in June.
In a tell-all interview with Women’s Weekly last year, Ms Joyce unloaded on the pair’s very public affair and their decision to broadcast details of their relationship in a controversial paid interview with Channel 7 in June.
“I wasn’t surprised she sold their ‘exclusive’ story, and certainly not surprised the $150,000 went to her child, but it begs the question, if Barney agreed to be a part of it, how could he allow his four girls to be overlooked?” she told the magazine.
“In saying that, I wouldn’t want a cent of that money. It was all we could do to watch it without throwing a brick at the TV!”
Barnaby Joyce lost his job over the controversial relationship with his former media adviser.Source:News Corp Australia
The mother-of-four said she would not “lie down” and that she was speaking out “so the girls feel empowered and know their mum stood up and defended our fine name”.
She also spoke of the first time she confronted Ms Campion after she suspected the pair were having an affair.
Ms Joyce said she saw Barnaby and Ms Campion smoking outside together. When Barnaby saw her, she said that he “bolted”.
But Ms Campion was still there — and the two faced off in one of the moments Ms Joyce said that she was proud of.
“I was very measured. I didn’t raise my voice,” she recalled.
“She and Barney were smoking outside. He bolted when he saw me.
“I turned to her and said, ‘My husband is out of bounds, off-limits, he’s a married man with four children, ‘ and then I called her a home-wrecking wh***.
“It was not one of my finer moments but, looking back, I’m proud I stood up to her.”
Natalie Joyce said her interview was an important part of helping her to move on.Source:News Corp Australia
In a Facebook post after her magazine interview, Ms Joyce revealed how the experience had helped her turn a corner.
“This week I was proud to be featured in the AWW Rural Women’s special,” she wrote. “I found speaking to my trusted journalist friend Lizzie Wilson and the AWW team a cathartic experience.
“I implore that journalists and media outlets respect my story and not sabotage or transcribe as this factual story was deliberate to empower myself and my girls.
“We feel that we have completed our journey … our lives move forward from this point.”
She was not paid for the interview and described herself as normally very private.
Article source: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/barnaby-joyces-exwife-natalie-is-now-a-competitive-body-builder/news-story/7d0eadcf7bc6c90903472335a3e68003