Stereotypically, when a woman gets dumped she kicks off the process of reclaiming her identity and dignity by getting a haircut.

But, when your husband’s affair and lovechild is splashed across the front page of every major newspaper in the country, a trim and a new colour is not going to cut it.

A little over 12 months after news broke that former deputy prime minister and leader of the Nationals Barnaby Joyce was having an affair and was expecting a child with his staffer, Vikki Campion, Natalie Joyce has come out flexing her muscles – literally.

The 49-year-old mother of four took out fourth place in the "First Timers" and "Miss Fitness Model Momma" categories of the I Compete Naturally (ICN) North Coast Classic bodybuilding competition at New Lambton on Sunday.