JILLIAN'S BIO
Jillian Michaels is one of the leading health and wellness experts in the country. Perhaps considered one of the most inspiring people on television through her role as trainer, wellness expert and life coach on her hit TV shows and regular TV appearances, Michaels has created a brand name for herself. Every week she motivates millions in every form of media from TV to publishing to the 1.6 million monthly visitors to her Web site and daily e-mail newsletter. In September 2011, Jillian will expand her television presence into daytime as a co-host on the Emmy award winning syndicated series
The Doctors and act as a special contributor on
Dr. Phil.
As a motivator and role model, Jillian has a unique connection with her audience that stems from her own personal journey toward wellness. Before she was a huge TV success, Jillian struggled with her own weight. She was determined to reach her goals — and through dedication and hard work, she did.
Jillian has been a personal trainer for 19 years. In addition, she owned and operated a sports medicine facility, where she worked as a physical therapy aid under the physiatrists, physical therapists, and chiropractors. Jillian's passion for fitness training originates from 17 years of martial arts practice in Muay Thai and Akarui-Do, in which she holds a black belt. Since 1993, Jillian has held two personal training certificates from the leading certification programs in the country: the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) and the American Fitness Association of America (AFAA). In addition she is Kettlebell Concepts certified. Jillian has also developed a continuing education series for trainers with AFAA and holds a nutrition and wellness consultant certificate with the American Fitness Professionals Associates (AFPA).
Books, DVDs, and video games — Jillian has them all covered. She is a New York Times bestselling author of four books — Master Your Metabolism, The Master Your Metabolism Cookbook, Making the Cut,and her newest release, Unlimited: How to Build an Exceptional Life — and also the author of Winning by Losing, The Master Your Metabolism Calorie Counter and Optimiza tu Metabolismo, the Spanish-translated version of Master Your Metabolism. Her DVDs, Yoga Meltdown, 30-Day Shred, No More Trouble Zones, Banish Fat Boost Metabolism, 6-Week Six-Pack, Shred It With Weights, and Ripped in 30 are consistently top sellers. Her most recent DVD is Killer Buns & Thighs and Extreme Shed & Shred hits stores in December 2011. Jillian’s Web site, JillianMichaels.com, also enjoys tremendous success as a top site for people who look to Jillian for a comprehensive online wellness program.
Jillian is the inspiration editor for EverydayHealth.com – the leading provider of online health information. In addition, she has a video game for Xbox 360 Kinect, Fitness Adventure, and three video games for the Nintendo Wii — Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009, Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010, and Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum 2011 which was released in November 2010. In fall 2011, she will release Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Adventure exclusively for the Xbox 360 Kinect gaming system. Jillian also has an iPhone app, Jillian Michaels Slim-Down Solution, available from iTunes, has partnered with K-Swiss to develop a line of footwear and sportswear available now, and is continuing her partnership with ICON Health & Fitness on a new line of in-home fitness equipment that hit stores in fall 2010. In October 2010, Michaels set sail on her first Jillian Michaels Ultimate Wellness Cruise. Jillian is also an official “GoDaddy Girl®” for GoDaddy.com and was seen as part of their 2011 Super Bowl ad campaign.
Jillian launched her company, Empowered Media, LLC, with her business partner Giancarlo Chersich, with the goal of creating total life solutions for people that involve all aspects of living well, including health, wellness, weight loss, and overall lifestyle. By sharing a unique and inspiring philosophy that stresses the integration of fitness, nutrition, and behavioral changes, Jillian empowers people everywhere to define and reach their personal goals, both physical and psychological. Empowered Media allows Jillian to communicate her message of health and wellness to a large audience through different media, including an online community, books, DVDs, gaming and exercise equipment. The company continues to work toward its objectives with a circle of experts who collaborate with Jillian to act as life architects, helping people to restructure their lives. The company's motto is, "Inspired by Jillian, empowered by YOU!"
Jillian lives in Los Angeles. When she's not on set for TV, she enjoys traveling and getting involved in charitable activities, which include her work as an ambassador for the American Cancer Society, an ambassador for Stand Up 2 Cancer, an ambassador for NFL Play 60, working with military families through the USO, and her work as a champion of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a program dedicated to eradicating the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States.