"I’ve been on quite the journey in the last five years: I lost my manager of 16 years [Mark Byrne in 2014] and then a dear friend to suicide. There was so much grief and I didn’t know how to deal with it.
I had a breakdown at the beginning of 2018; I lost faith in my ability as an artist and as a person. It was a very scary and emotional time.
I didn’t want to see anybody. I took myself off social media and closed down my email. I was broken.
Up until that point I’d just put on a brave face and kept plowing through. Whether I was on screen, on stage or running a business, I’d just put on a mask. But slowly [behind that mask], my life was unraveling.
You can’t keep going and going without dealing with grief.
I needed to heal privately. And I did that with the help and support of my amazing friends and family, especially my friend Elisa [a medium] who really ignited my spirituality and my belief in myself again.
She dropped everything and flew to Melbourne to be with me when I needed her. Knowing she had my back was everything.
Elisa introduced me to meditation, kinesiology, naturopathy, energy healing and Chinese herbs. She taught me that I’m brave and that I’m a good person. She’s a real life angel.
After five years, I’ve finally come out the other side. I feel like a better mum, a better wife and a better friend. I’ve become my authentic self."
Natalie hosts Changing Rooms on Channel Ten from February 13.
