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Read Insight's exclusive Personal Insights with Michelle Bridges
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At 14-years-old, Michelle Bridges trained her classmates in an empty room in the local squash club. Two decades on, she is one of Australia’s most popular personal trainers and still encouraging people to kick their bad habits and empower themselves. The Biggest Loser’s ‘tough’ trainer has released two books and travels across Australia visiting schools to promote her healthy living message. Read below to benefit from her professional insight and advice that has helped so many others.
What do you see as your role in influencing Australians’ health?
I believe every little bit counts and that everyone can do something, so I just keep chipping away. Fortunately, I managed to get myself on The Biggest Loser a couple of years ago which meant I could deliver the same message I have been advocating since I was 14 to a larger group of people. People down at my local park stop and tell me they have lost 10 kilograms since watching the show! If I can talk to one person each day and give them a couple of ideas about what to eat and exercise tips, then that is a great thing.
How has your upbringing influenced your direction in life?
My mum was a single parent who worked her heart out to raise my sister and me, so I think I took on a very strong work ethic from that. These days there are a lot more single parents, but when I was young there were not many. All my friends had parents that were married, so I was the only one in my circle of friends. I could really see that my mum put in the effort to look after us and give us a wonderful home and a really good strong supportive upbringing.
Why did you decide to become a fitness trainer?
I have been involved in sport all my life and practically played every kind there is. I was pretty good at some, pretty bad at others, but at the end of the day it was just a passion of mine. I really fell in love with training so I went to my school principal and started teaching fitness classes for the kids who did not want to play actual sport games. Then I went down to the local squash club and said ‘I can teach people in that empty room downstairs?’, and they said yes - to a 14-year-old kid!
In a career where you motivate others everyday, do you find it difficult to keep motivated yourself?
Of course I do, I am only human! Everyone always says, ‘it is okay for you, you are motivated’, but that is not the case at all. It is hard for everyone when the alarm goes off at 5am, it is cold and you really do not want to go outside for a run. I do not get out of bed and say, ‘Joy! Let’s go for a run!’ It is not always easy, but I always tell my clients and contestants that it is about consistency. It is about getting out there everyday and choosing to do the same things, eat the same foods and making those choices everyday.
What keeps you motivated?
I think it is very important to have a goal and to keep resetting new ones, but at the end of the day, there will come a time when you are not motivated, and that is when you are going to have to ask yourself whether you will throw in the towel or keep going. I always go back to my catchcry of consistency. Be motivated by goals, but do not hang your hat on them.
What have you got playing on your iPod right now?
On my iPod is all hard and fast 80s diva music, especially when I am running,!
How do you resist breaking your diet?
I think there are a few things you can do to outmanoeuvre your weaknesses, but first, you need to know what they are. If you know that when you fill up the car you cannot resist the chocolate bars at the counter, then you need to get smart. For instance, make sure you eat breakfast so when you go to the café to get your mid-morning coffee, you do not get a muffin or piece of banana bread.
Wherever you are going, think ahead so you can avoid potential danger zones. We have got to stop eating like teenagers whose parents have left town! We have got to stop thinking we need that chocolate bar at 3pm and the biscuit with our coffee because before you know it, you have filled most of your daily intake with foods that have no nutritional value whatsoever and are full of fat and calories.
How difficult is it to keep up the ‘tough love’ training on The Biggest Loser when you see the contestants breaking down emotionally and physically around you?
It is hard. This show is emotionally charged and emotionally draining; these people come into the house broken. They have a lot of problems with their health and twice the number regarding how they feel about themselves – emotionally and mentally. This weight has been with them for most of their lives, so you can imagine what it does to their heads. That is why I think when they lose the weight, the contestants take longer to get their heads around the fact they have lost the weight because they still think of themselves as fat.
How do you balance your career and personal life?
Sometimes okay, sometimes really badly! It is tough though because there is a lot to be done and there always seems to be so much more to do. I try to pull myself out every now and then so I leave my phone at home or turn it off. I always make time for my family and friends, even if it is to just go down the street and have a coffee together.
What do you like doing in your time off to relax?
I go down to the park with my dog and throw a frisbee with him. If my husband is not too busy he comes along, too. We go and just muck around in the park, maybe mooch around a couple of the cafés, drink coffee and read the newspaper. I also love going to the beach!
With the stress of your public life, what keeps you grounded?
My husband, my dog and my friends keep me grounded. We always try to catch up with our mates whenever we can and because they have known me forever, no one ever wants to talk about diets or nutrition. It is great, I think it keeps me very grounded.
What issues do you feel are most pressing in the world today?
I think the way religion is portrayed is a massive issue, not just in this country but around the world. I also believe obesity and the epidemic it has become is another pressing issue. These are probably the two issues I have been talking about more recently with my partner.
What do you see happening in the world in the next ten years and what will your contribution be?
I think in ten years the obesity epidemic is probably going to get worse. I have had this discussion with many of my colleagues and they look at me with their eyes wide and jaws dropped when I say I think it is going to get worse before it gets better. I have just finished reading a book called The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and I am living in hope that we are going to reach a tipping point with the obesity epidemic and it will come back the other way. Unfortunately, I do not see that happening very soon though. I think when you talk about my contribution to the world it has to be related to health and fitness.
Which two books would you recommend people to read?
I could recommend The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, but it is pretty heavy reading and it twisted my brain! If you are up for a hardcore read, that one is for you. I am also reading Cesar Millan’s books, which I love - for any dog lovers out there, they are great read!
Name someone who has inspired you on your journey.
My husband, he gives me the strength to keep pushing on, encouraging and inspiring me to keep going.
Sum up your philosophy on life.
A good cup of tea in the morning is a great way to start the day!
Michelle Bridges begins filming for series six of ‘The Biggest Loser’ at the end of this year and is developing an online program called the ‘12 Week Body Transformation’. Read her blog and download the free ‘New You’ Journal from www.michellebridges.com.au |
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