Natalia Coelho has spent years climbing to the top of bodybuilding, turning herself from a promising amateur into a two-time Women's Physique Olympia champion. Now, with the 2026 Olympia fast approaching, she finds herself dealing with pressure that has little to do with the stage itself.

During a recent appearance on RXMuscle, former IFBB Pro King Kamali addressed the PMMA controversy that has followed Coelho since her win last year, offering his advice on how she should handle it heading into the contest.

Having built his own career in a sport where speculation about enhancement is nothing new, Kamali didn't hesitate when asked what he'd say to Coelho directly.

"My last word on this subject today is, I'm going to send a message straight to Natalia: Go to the Olympia, let your condition speak for itself, kick ass, do what you need to do, and the best person will win," as reported by Generation Iron on their website on September 2. 

He further spoke about why she shouldn't let the noise get to her.

"Don't worry about the other s***. Everybody is doing something."

The controversy began after Sarah Villegas, who lost the title to Coelho at the 2025 Olympia, accused her of using site enhancements and labeled her a "light weight OIL-ympia Champion."

With Kamali's message out there, the focus now shifts back to Coelho herself and whether she can silence the noise the same way he believes she should at the 2026 Ms Olympia. 

When Natalia Coelho spoke about her ultimate dream 

Natalia Coelho didn't just fall into being one of the most decorated names in Women's Physique. She pictured it long before it happened.

In an interview with Isabelle Turell's "Fit Rockstar Podcast," the Brazilian star revealed she'd envisioned this exact moment since her very first competitions, imagining longtime announcer Bob Cicherillo calling her name as the new Olympia champion.

Reflecting on the grueling sessions with her coach, Wade, that shaped her mentally long before the accolades came, Coelho recalled the demands he placed on her.

"I would read workouts online and all that stuff. They would say 'do 8 to 12 reps, 12 to 15 reps.' He was like 'just do it.' I'm like 'what do you mean? When should I stop?' He said 'I will tell you.'" Coelho said during the interview posted on the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel on July 10, 2021. 

That determination has clearly paid off. Coelho has graced the Olympia stage six times across the Figure and Women's Physique divisions and won twice. She also captured the Women's Physique International title at the Arnold Classic twice.

Even with all that success behind her, she's always credited the same thing for getting her there: visualization, a habit she picked up in those early days and never let go of.

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco