Natalia Coelho can be considered much more than one of the most popular female athletes in the Women & # 39; s Physique division. The Brazilian’s popularity could be among the best in the entire IFBB Pro League. The two-time Arnold winner and Olympic runner-up accompanied Dennis James in this week's episode of "The Menace Podcast".
While James Coelho asked about her background, she revealed that she had trained in Muay Thai with her father. She also shared that she wasn't afraid to mistake it for the boys either.
“I started doing the same courses with him. I would go and there were only men in there. I didn't care. I would go in there and get slapped in the face and everything. I like "this is hard, but I can do it". I think that's how we get stronger, but I just loved the whole thing. "
Coelho, who was actually born in New York, would eventually return to the US as a teenager, and then she went all-in on bodybuilding. It turned out that the germ of her love of exercise had indeed been planted long before that. She would watch the competitions on television when she was a child. She also saw two other athletes train in the gym when she was supposed to be in ballet class.
“There were two bodybuilders who showed me what bodybuilding is. Zack and Vinnie, and they competed as bodybuilders. They were always downstairs where the strength training area was at the time of my ballet class. I would find a way to get out of class, go downstairs and watch them train like beasts. I would always think that's so nice. "
Obviously, she decided to start the competition too, and the rest is history. Her biggest wins on stage included her two wins at Women & # 39; s Physique International at the Arnold Classic. She also took second place at the Olympics. The scary part is that she is only 24 years old. She won the 2015 Nationals in Figure at the age of 19, which she competed in before moving to Women & # 39; s Physique in 2018. James asked her about this decision, which arose from a conversation with Judge Sandy Williamson.
"She's like & # 39; Natalia, if you find out this character isn't about stripes and feathers, even if we put you in the first callout and compare you to the other girls, you'll stand out because you do did and they don't. However, this is not the criterion for mapping. So I can give you two options. Either step back, soften up, increase your body fat, do less cardio or whatever, or step on and do women's physique. "
Coelho talks more about her career and background with James on this episode of TMP. You can see it in its entirety on the Muscle & Fitness YouTube channel. Audio versions of the show are available on Spotify.
