Alex Pike on being more than just Nathan Buckley’s ex-girlfriend

Nathan Buckley’s ex-girlfriend Alex Pike says there’s a lot more to her than her highly-publicised love life.

The 45-year-old cosmetic nurse finally broke her silence on her romance with the Collingwood legend in an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia to promote the relaunch of her eight-week kickstart program, Inside Out Beauty.

The mum-of-three cautiously discussed her time with the 50-year-old former footy star and the scrutiny surrounding their relationship, saying: ‘I’m very grateful for this chapter in my life but I’m more than my ex.

‘I’m a mum, an entrepreneur, a woman who struggles and juggles with balance, but I’m always looking in and trying to do better for myself and those I support.’

When asked if being thrust into the public eye had been challenging, Alex admitted that it was never a big problem.

The former couple made headlines after they started dating in 2021, before going their separate ways roughly a year later. Pictured together in Melbourne

‘At the time I never felt like I was under scrutiny,’ she reflected.

‘Relationships are often of interest to people, especially if they’re in the public eye. But I’m very comfortable in my own skin so I took it in my stride.’

The Albury-based nurse admitted that she’s no longer speaking to the divorced dad-of-two, offering a simple ‘no’ when asked, and insisted that she’s excited to shift the spotlight from her past relationship to her beauty business.

Pike and Bucks made headlines in 2021 when they started dating shortly after the father-of-two confirmed that he’d split with his wife of 18 years, Tanya Minnici. 

The pair appeared to have ended things for good by 2022, and a few months later the AFL icon confirmed that he was dating 34-year-old business manager and Pike lookalike Brodie Ryan.

Alex admitted that she’s no longer speaking to the divorced dad-of-two and insisted that she’s excited to shift the spotlight from her past relationship to her beauty business

The 45-year-old’s Inside Out Beauty program offers women an eight-week kickstart to wellness and incorporates many of the practices and techniques that Alex herself has used

Buckley previously opened up about his personal life while appearing on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last year.

‘I’m going through a separation. So, I’ve been out of home for 18 months, a bit over 18 months, nearly two years,’ he said at the time. 

‘And the paps are following my ex-wife, and sometimes with my boys, and also looking for photos with me with my current partner,’ he said, referring to Pike. 

Since the split, the brunette says she’s happily single and has ‘no time for romance’ as she’s focused on raising her three boys and growing her business.

‘It’s not encouraged as an all-year lifestyle, but it’s a way to shift your everyday wellbeing long term,’ she said of the program

Since splitting with Buckley, the brunette says she’s happily single and has ‘no time for romance’ as she’s focused on raising her three boys (pictured) and growing her business

Speaking about the relaunch of her eight-week lifestyle program Inside Out Beauty, Pike described it as a ‘reset and a kickstart to self-love.’

‘It’s not encouraged as an all-year lifestyle, but it’s a way to shift your everyday wellbeing long term,’ she explained.

Pike said that the program contains many of her own personal practices, which she learned over the years while trying to find ways to balance her busy cosmetic career with motherhood.

‘Many, many years ago, running a business and being a single mum, I was starting to get overwhelmed and really started researching ways that I could ground myself and treat myself a little better,’ she said.

Unlike many other fitness programs on the market, Inside Out Beauty gives users access to consultations with a dermatologist, a plastic surgeon, and even Alex herself, to educate women on aesthetic treatments.

‘It’s not encouraging women to have work, but there’s educational components of the program around skincare routines and different treatments one could do if they wanted to improve their appearance,’ she said.

Pike, who turns 46 this year, also revealed that one of the secrets behind her youthful looks is ditching alcohol for celery juice.

‘Cutting back alcohol has certainly helped me slow down the clock,’ she said, adding that she’s noticed the biggest difference in her skin since giving up the grog and now sleeps and focuses better too.

Despite embracing her forties, the former model admits that her path to confidence has been a journey.

‘As I’ve aged I’ve become a more confident person within myself. In my early forties I tried to hide it a little bit, but now I’m very proud of the fact that I’m turning 46 and through my program I can empower other women to be proud of their age too.’

Alex doesn’t deprive herself when it comes to eating things like bread or the occasional dessert, and believes in eating smart.

Alex also shared her diet with Daily Mail Australia, revealing that she doesn’t deprive herself but likes to make smart choices, such as having carbs earlier in the day 

Next on Alex’s business bucket list is a podcast featuring interviews with the top plastic surgeons in the field, her own skincare line, and expanding her clinics to the United States

She has her carbs earlier in the day and then loads up on lean protein and vegetables around dinnertime.

Keeping fit involves waking up early for morning walks most days, and then adding at least ‘two weighted workouts and a Pilates class’ each week if she’s not too busy.

Next on Alex’s business bucket list is a podcast featuring interviews with the top plastic surgeons in the field, her own skincare line, and expanding her clinics to the United States. 

Alex was voted Australia’s Favourite Injector in 2018 by Plastic Surgery Hub and was recognised as one of the top 250 injectors in Australia, NZ, and the Asia Pacific region by drug company Allergan. 

You can find out more about Inside Out Beauty at the program’s official website.