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‘I stop educating to develop into an excellent jacked bodybuilder – now blokes are intimidated by me’

The 35-year-old has spent the last decade transforming her body through weight training after started lifting weights as a distraction from her poor mental health

Natasha Kostalas changed her look – and her career(Image: Jam Press)

A former secondary school teacher is now getting the grades as a top bodybuilder. Natasha Kostalas now says her muscular physique leaves men feeling ‘intimidated’ – but she couldn’t care less.

She had been an English teacher for 10 years. Now, the 35-year-old has spent the last decade transforming her body through weight training. She started lifting weights as a distraction from her poor mental health and binge eating disorder. The hobby quickly turned into a passion, with Natasha quitting her job as an English teacher to focus on bodybuilding competitions.

Natasha, from Hertfordshire – who is set to release a book, ‘Beyond the Barbell: Confessions of a Female Fitness Competitor’ – says what started off as a hobby changed her life, improving her mental health and turning into a passion.

Natasha Kostalas bodybuilder show
She started training when she was still a teacher(Image: Jam Press)

Natasha, from Hertfordshire – who is set to release a book, ‘Beyond the Barbell: Confessions of a Female Fitness Competitor’ – says what started off as a hobby changed her life, improving her mental health and turning into a passion.

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Training multiple times a week, she decided to take it to the next level a few years later having watched her brother’s success as a bodybuilder.

She said: “I competed in 2019 and came fifth and forth in two of my shows.

“It was crazy.

“I was training for my bodybuilding shows while I was still a teacher.

“But I realised the only place I was happy was in the gym. “Despite some people saying, ‘No, you shouldn’t do it,’ it’s led to so many things I’m doing now.

“What was meant to be a little hobby to cure me turned into something else.”

Natasha Kostalas transformation
It started as a ‘little hobby’(Image: Jam Press)

“We live in a world where women are more equal than they ever have been in the past yet especially men who don’t train and probably feel intimidated if they meet a woman who can.

“Old fashioned values still persist especially the older generation who don’t understand the benefits.

“I think it’s time to challenge these ideas and show that strength is for everyone.”

The Daily Star recently reported that Lucy Garland might be the fittest postie in Britain or maybe on the entire planet, after an historic Ms Universe 2023 victory.

Lucy Garland was a former triathlon athlete after a serious road accident left her with a serious injury. After the injury Lucy turned to strength training and began her rapid rise through the body building ranks.

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Every day Lucy, who works for the Royal Mail, wakes up before the crack of dawn to get in some early morning cardio – then after pushing parcels at her day job she pushes some serious pounds after work.

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