The Beginning

 

Geoff was brought up in a little fishing village called Newton Ferrers just outside Plymouth,  Devon, England. Son of a Captain in the merchant Navy most of his early years were spent traveling around the world on board ship, including going to school in Japan.

 

The Marines

 

He joined the British Royal Marine Commandos at 17 and went on to study anti-terrorist and CQB techniques in preparation for  Northern Ireland Tours and a unique opportunity, his unit was assigned to guard HRH, Buckingham Palace. 

 

After a number of serious injuries  Geoff was forced to change direction specialising in Recruit rehabilitation and troop fitness training as well as earning a diploma in advanced security management and personal protection.

 

Personal Training  

He left the Marines and pursued a career as a lecturer in motivation and body shaping, sparking a new passion,  Bodybuilding. He started personal training people during his preparation for Bodybuilding competitions winning his city championships as as well as placing in the national titles and landed  himself several add campaigns that began his interest in the media.

 

 

In 1990 he worked his passage on a container ship scrubbing decks for a month  to get to Australia, where he started out living in a Combi van in Kings Cross for a year, working as a trainer at several inner city gyms.

 

Over the next few years Geoff worked both as an Actor appearing in a number of Australian shows and campaigns and becoming one of Sydney's first and best known Personal Trainers .

The Beginning

Bessie was Born in the Australian Blue Mountains, to a Norwegian/ Russian nomad and the daughter of a jazz musician. She was raised in the laid back, free spirited town of Mullumbimby not far from the famous hippy town of Byron Bay

Her parents named her "Little-wing" but thought better of it when she was two, renaming her after both the famous jazz and blues singers Bessie Smith and Mahalia Jackson.

After her father's mysterious disappearance when she was 7 her mother remarried a preacher and became very religious. The free spirited life she had become accustomed to was replaced with strict religious discipline, bible studies and church rules. At 14 she landed her first modeling job for girlfriend magazine although due to her religious beliefs she did very little to follow this up

At 21 she found herself 18 months into a marriage with a new husband who had spent all her savings and had multiple affairs. She had a dead end job as a receptionist was bored, distraught and had lost everything.

She decided not to be a victim of her past and decided to make a new start.

Within 2 years she had re designed her life entirely. She was married to author and TV personality Geoff Barker (her husband of 8 years) and had started several businesses including Australia's first and soon to be biggest model agency and was beginning to carve a career in the media.

 

Bessie has featured in numerous editorials, interviews and social pages - here are just a few;

Gladiators

From personal training celeb's Geoff went on to become 'Commando'  on Channel 7 Gladiators

Geoff's Website HERE

Bessie and Geoff

 

Entertains troops in IRAQ

 

• Tearing through the streets in armoured vehicles with bullet proof jackets and helmets to get to the venue to perform.

• Wild Hercules  rides over the rooftops of Bagdad to avoid rockets and small arms.

• Having an Orion plane named after her for luck.

• Watching tracer shells and bombs flash through the sky from the balcony of her room in Saddam’s palace nightly.

• Sleeping on a dead Iraqi VIP bed in one of Saddam’s rooms, while black hawks circled overhead all night.

• Speaking at a dinner that included the top 15 representatives of the coalition including corps commander Lt General Metz and the Iraqi liaison

• She also spoke with many of the active soldiers about how they felt about their situation and found out some interesting things we just don’t get to hear at home.

• And more

Bessie is a keynote speaker and hostess/MC. She has been asked to speak at many events ranging from corporate functions, women's conferences, charity fundraises, business events and much much more.

For more info on Bessie's Speaking and hosting click

www.bessiebardot.com

Author-BEST SELLER

'Casting Couch Confidential' - by Pan Macmillan

Bessie and Geoff (her partner) released their first book together in April 2003. Commissioned by Pan Macmillan Publishing it takes a look at the inside and untold story of the model and fame industries. Was one of the most publicised books of the year

'Bessie's Body Secrets' - by New Holland

‘The Busy Girls guide to weight loss and well being – Based on her extensive experience in the model industry helping young women beat health disorders and shape up and her personal fight with wheat and Gluten Allergies. Sold out in 1 month and is a best seller as well as top 5 fastest selling books in Australia.

To see more info on Bessie's books click

LAST WORD

Blending sass with style and professionalism, Bessie pushes the envelope of what a business woman should look and act like, preferring to believe that a fresh honest approach is always the best policy her drive and personality have seen her overcome many stereotypes and obstacles to create the brand she is today.

Increasingly more active on many social  issues, Bessie and Geoff is are strong advocate of women issues including, health self esteem and  breaking through the glass ceiling.

a crusades against moral hypocrisy  Bessie does all this with her high heels on and a twinkle in her eye, challenging  those who would disapprove of her open and fun attitude to life and business to think again before judging.

Bessie and  Geoff  are avid charity worker and gives up much of their time to host and participate in charity events around the country. With their particular passion being children's and women's health. Bessie is also a spokesperson and active fund raiser for several national organisations.

Married for 7 years to ex Gladiator Geoff Barker they work closely together on all her projects. With their motto 'wear who you are on your sleeve' and 'unto thine own self be true', Bess and Geoff  live life to the full. Brining a  fresh face and enthusiastic attitude to the new millennium couple.

If you would like to contact Bessie you can reach her HERE

Geoff's Website HERE