Natalie Joyce put on a leggy display in a dazzling green competition bikini with diamante encrusted straps
The ex-wife of former National Party leader Barnaby Joyce has celebrated her newfound success as a bodybuilder after months of hard work.
Natalie Joyce took to the stage at the I Compete Naturally (ICN) North Coast Classic bodybuilding competition on Sunday, wowing judges and audiences alike in a sparkly, green bikini.
The competition ensemble was complete with dazzling diamante encrusted straps and clear heels.
The 49-year-old mother-of-four shed 15kgs ahead of her first competition, and wowed judges in her categories, walking away with a fourth place medal in both the First Timers and Miss Fitness Model Momma categories.
Following the competition, the brunette beauty took the time to thank her coach, Kylie Steel, on Instagram, telling the fitness guru she is ‘one awesome person’.
‘I love you, and you’ll be in my heart forever,’ Ms Joyce said.
‘There were doubters, but you never did. You believed in me, encouraged me, and were a gentle, strong guiding hand.
‘Thank you for being a part of my amazing journey and to my friends who believed I could; love for ever.’
Those doubters she referred to may have initially been her very own daughters.
In an interview with Women’s Day last month, Ms Joyce said her four daughters – all teenagers or young adults – were less than thrilled when she told them she was planning to flaunt her hard-earned figure.
She said the idea of their mother ‘strutting around wearing nothing more than a skimpy bikini, flexing my muscles for all to see’ wasn’t initially appealing.
The 49-year-old mother of four shed 15kgs in the months leading up to her first competition
She (second from right) said her four daughters – whom she shares with Mr Joyce – were skeptical of her desire to compete in the competition at first
Ms Joyce shared this picture of her with her personal trainer wearing her medals around her neck
Ms Steel was equally as thrilled with her clients’ results on the weekend.
‘One very proud coach!! 2 x 4th placings, first Comp!’ she wrote alongside a slew of pictures from the event.
The coach had plenty of reasons to smile, with another one of her client’s taking home two first place medals in separate events.
Over the course of the past few months, Ms Steel has shared numerous progress videos of Ms Joyce as she worked out in preparation of the big event.
In an ode to the 49-year-old’s dedication, her coach shared a video of Ms Joyce working up a sweat on her birthday.
Ms Joyce held her own against her competitors, most aged in their 20’s, at the ICN competition, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The brunette beauty flaunted her taut stomach and toned legs on stage, striking poses alongside a slew of other women also competing for the title.
She said she was inspired to transform her body after her husband of 25 years left her for his much younger staffer, Vikki Campion, in 2017.
She said she was inspired to transform her body after her husband of 25 years (pictured together in 2015) left her for his much younger staffer, Vikki Campion
‘I had two choices: either unravel, or shake myself off and aim to get the best out of myself,’ she said in a previous interview.
‘In June last year I looked in the mirror and thought ”I’m not going to let someone else’s appalling behaviour derail me”. So I joined the local gym, and I’ve never looked back. And I’ve always wanted to compete in a bodybuilding comp.’
Ms Joyce said the public separation was one of the most humiliating and heart-breaking periods of her life.
Barnaby Joyce and new partner Vikki Campion were seen on the NSW coast with their 9-month-old son Sebastian
Her ex-husband (left) is now expecting a second son with Vikki Campion (right)
In an interview with Women’s Weekly, she detailed the moment her husband walked away.
‘In late September 2017, I gave him back my wedding ring. He said, ‘Nat, give me a week. I thought I had this sorted. I love you – you know that – I just f* up’. Not a week later I got the news: Vikki was pregnant.’
‘My world came crashing down.
‘I asked him to come home. He said, ”I can’t, she’s pregnant and I have to be there for my son.” I was wild! I said, ”What about our daughters?” He always wanted a boy and, while the girls really are the epicenter of his universe, we had no chance: she was giving him a son.’
Her ex-husband is now expecting a second son with Ms Campion.
While the former Deputy Prime Minister is building a new family with the woman he had a workplace affair with, Ms Joyce has jumped from strength to strength with her fitness.
It is not yet clear if Ms Joyce has any plans for future bodybuilding competitions off the back of her successful first performance.
The brunette beauty flaunted her taut stomach and toned legs on stage, striking poses alongside a slew of other women also competing for the title
She walked away with a fourth place medal in both the First Timers and Miss Fitness Model Momma categories
While the former Deputy Prime Minister (pictured) is building a new family with the woman he had a workplace affair with, Ms Joyce has jumped from strength to strength with her fitness