Jillian's Story

Committed to helping people to be the best versions of themselves and live their happiest and healthiest lives, Jillian Michaels has dominated the health and wellness space in every realm of media – apps, podcasting, streaming, television, print, publishing, and social media with a collective community of over 100 million strong.

The Fitness App created by Jillian is the top-rated diet and exercise app for women, having won best-of awards from both Google and Apple.

Jillian is an Emmy nominated television talent having starred in multiple hit TV shows and regularly contributes to E! News, Access, Insider, Wendy Williams and more.  Her extensively successful fitness DVDs are the highest grossing, best-selling home workouts in history.  She is the author of 8 New York Times best-selling books, and host of the Apple award-winning podcast,  Keeping It Real: Conversations with Jillian Michaels.  Jillian is also a world renowned public speaker, having successfully completing two sold out global speaking tours and participating regularly in iconic events like Maria Shriver’s Women’s Conference and OZY Fest. She has graced over 50 magazine covers and writes op ed pieces monthly for numerous outlets from Women’s Health and Livestrong to Parade and Healthline

In 2008, Jillian launched her company, Empowered Media, LLC, with her business partner Giancarlo Chersich. Over the past decade, Empowered Media has become a monumental wellness empire dedicated to total-life solutions comprising of all aspects of living well, including nutrition, fitness, self-help and overall lifestyle. The company has invested in like-minded companies including Thrive Market, Lucky Jack Coffee, AQUAHydrate, Flywheel, and Alaya Naturals.

Jillian’s overwhelming success and unique connection with her audience was born from her own personal journey toward health and happiness. Having been an overweight child, Jillian’s passion for fitness stems from its transformative powers. She trained for 12 years in the martial arts practice of Muay Thai and Akauri-Do, in which she holds a black belt, and holds four personal training certificates from the leading certification programs in the United States and Canada: the National Exercise Sports Trainers Association (NESTA), CanFitPro, and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), and Kettlebell Concepts. She is also a certified nutrition and wellness consultant with the American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA). 

Jillian’s current projects include her hugely successful line of fitness equipment at retailers nationwide with partner iWorld. The launch of her athleisure clothing line with IHL, also at retailers nationwide.  And she’s focused on her next book set to release January 2022.

Furthering her commitment to help as many people as possible, Michaels is an avid activist who works closely with a variety of charities including the UNHCR to help raise awareness and funds for refugees around the globe.  She’s also involved with the NFL's Play 60, Stand Up to Cancer, Hope for Haiti, and Dress for Success. Jillian also devotes time to animal welfare causes, and is a PETA ambassador.

Most importantly, Jillian is the mom to two young kids, Phoenix (9) and Lukensia (11).