Who – August 10, 2019

(Marcin) #1

REALITY TV


THE EX


FOOTY


PLAYER


Melbourne mother of two boys and personal
trainer Melissa Armstrong is coming back to
Ninja Warrior for a second time, and while she’s
in it to prove her strength to herself, the
39-year-old wants to make a statement for
women around the nation – to ensure they get
outside of their comfort zone. “I’ve been a
personal trainer for 16 years and it drives me
insane, really upsets me when I just hear women
assume they can’t try a difficult exercise ... Men
don’t do that,” she tells WHO.
“I love working with women, but even more
so I love being around young girls, and just sort
of going, ‘No, no, don’t do that. Just try it, assume
that you can do it.’ ” Go girl!

THE FIT MUM


Fijian-born NRL player Eloni
Vunakece was forced to retire at
the end of last year because of
repeated concussions after making
his football debut when he was 28
years old. But he won’t let setbacks
get him down, telling WHO he is
inspired by his four children to
make it to the end on Australian
Ninja Warrior. “I had my older two
on the sideline with me during the
competition,” the now 32-year-old
says. “They love the show; they
love it so much. So my older three,
they just go mad.”
In fact, they’re so excited for
their dad, they’ve been setting
up their own courses around their
family home in the Sydney suburb
of Ryde. “Our kids created a ninja
course around the house. We live
across the road from a park and we
have set up a little course there.”
Fingers crossed he makes the finale!

Melissa is ready to
give the competition
her all this season.

Melissa and her sons
Duke and Lawson.

Eloni may or may not take
home the winning title,
but regardless he’s got the
physique of a champion.

STYLING: KIM ELLMER; HAIR AND MAKEUP: JULIAN JONES AND KATH CARLIN; INSETS NINE NETWORK (3)


Who l 33
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