Jillian Michaels, born February 18, 1974 in Los Angeles, California, grew up overweight and unhappy. When she enrolled in a martial arts class during adolescence, her life changed then and there, pledging to help other overweight individuals. After 17 years of martial arts background, a black belt in both Akarui-Do and Muay Thai, several fitness books and DVDs, two TV shows, Jillian kept her promise and helped everyone she could. However, it was her job as a personal trainer for NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” that made all these things possible.

In 2004, Jillian Michaels got her big break when she was chosen as a personal trainer for a reality show that featured overweight people competing to become ‘the biggest loser.’ For two years, Jillian Michaels became a mentor for the contestants, but left at the end of season 2 in 2006 after becoming unhappy with how the show portrayed her. That same year, Jillian joined the Australian version of the show and worked again as a personal trainer for two seasons. In 2008, Jillian Michaels came back to the US show for season 5.

While working with the Biggest Loser franchise, Jillian Michaels has released numerous fitness books and DVDs. She has also worked with eDiets.com to produce a meal plan for health-conscious people called “The Jillian Michaels Meal Delivery Plan.” Jillian Michaels is also a celebrity advisor for the National Day of Dance for Heart Health. Even her businesses not related to the Biggest Loser show encourage a healthy lifestyle – Jillian Michaels co-owns the Sky Sport & Spa in Los Angeles and Empowered Media. In 2008, Michaels worked with Nintendo Wii to release a new video game called “Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009.”

Jillian Michaels is also featured on a two-hour radio show for KFI AM 640 and is a fitness coach for AOL and Everyday Health Fitness.