Celebrity fitness instructor and life coach, Jillian Michaels

by Lindsay Zier-Vogel, CTV.ca

Professional fitness instructor Jillian Michaels is known for her special brand of encouragement and tough love. But after 11 seasons as the strength trainer and life coach on “The Biggest Loser,” she’s ready to move on.

“It’s been such an incredible opportunity, but I’m 37 and I want to start a family,” says Michaels. “And professionally, I want a more direct relationship with the audience.”

Instead of focusing her work on television, she says she wants to get into the fray, advocating for healthy food production, inclusion of PE in schools and advocating for healthy lifestyle choices in Washington, D.C.

“I’m very interested in spreading information for people to help improve their lives,” she says.

In addition to promoting her clothing line, Michaels has been heavily involved with charity work and, she tells Marilyn, is in the process of adopting a child.

Professionally, to fulfill her desires to “uplift, inspire and entertain,” she’s thinking of starting a speaking tour or perhaps beginning her own talk show.

“I’m not sure what the platform’s going to be, but when it comes, I’ll know,” she muses.

One of her ways of reaching out is through her new book, “Unlimited: How to build an exceptional life,” where she offers her thoughts on finding direction and positivity.

“I was an overweight kid, I had a dysfunctional background,” Michaels says, but reflects on the impact her martial arts mentor had in helping her recognize her potential.

The book involves a three step plan: “Imagine, believe and achieve.”

• Imagine: “A lot of people don’t know what they want to do,” she says, and directs readers on how to begin dreaming again, “using their emotions as a compass.”
• Believe: “People don’t (always) believe in their ability to achieve their goals,” Michaels says. “(This part) is the how-to to believe in yourself.”
• Achieve: “This is an action plan,” Michaels says, adding, “The type of action you take is so critical – if it’s not specific…your actions might be ineffective, they might also be destructive.”

“It’s not about crunches or calories, but about doing the deeper work,” she says.