Celebrity health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels shares how motherhood transformed her mindset around balance, discipline, and long-term wellness for families.
What is it like balancing your work with being a mother of two?
Balancing work and motherhood isn’t a tightrope — it’s a terrain. Some days are smooth; other days feel like I’m hiking with a full pack and no map. I’ve learned that it’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about being fully present where you are when you’re there.
As a mother, I want to raise strong, grounded, empathetic kids. As a professional, I’m passionate about purpose-driven work that leaves the world better than I found it. I’ve stopped aiming for “balance” as some static ideal, and instead, I aim for alignment — making sure my values guide my time, even when my schedule gets messy.
Yes, there’s guilt and there are missed moments, but there’s also pride when my children see me show up for what I believe in. They’re learning from my example that being a woman means having agency, discipline, compassion, and voice.
I don’t do it alone. I lean on help. I set boundaries. I’ve redefined “success” not as having it all, but as knowing what actually matters — and protecting it fiercely.
How has being a mother reshaped your approach to health and fitness?
Becoming a mom didn’t just reshape my approach — it deepened my purpose. Health and fitness were always personal to me, but once I had kids, they became generational. I’m not just working out to stay strong; I’m showing my kids what strength looks like, mentally and physically. I want them to see that taking care of your body is a form of self-respect, not vanity, and certainly not self-loathing. I want them to eat well because they love their body, not because they hate it.
It also made me more intentional. My time is limited, so every minute I spend on my health has to count. I train smarter, eat cleaner, and rest when I need to, because I want to be the best version of myself, not just barely getting by. Kids don’t do what you say; eventually, the hope is that they do what you do. So, if I want them to value movement, nutrition, and self-discipline, I have to lead by example.
Ultimately, I don’t see being a mom as just raising children; I’m shaping future adults. I want them to grow up knowing that health isn’t about looking a certain way. It’s about showing up for yourself so you can show up for everyone you love.
What are your core principles when it comes to ensuring your kids live a healthy lifestyle?
For me, it comes down to common sense, not extremes. I’m not trying to raise health fanatics; I’m trying to raise informed, capable humans who understand how their choices impact their bodies and minds. The core principle is simple: Knowledge is power. When kids understand why whole foods matter, why sleep matters, and why movement matters, they’re far more likely to make smart decisions on their own.
I don’t believe in rigid rules or fear-based thinking. I believe in moderation. We eat birthday cake and we have screen time, but we also talk about balance, energy, and how to feel your best. I give them tools, not ultimatums.
Ultimately, my job isn’t to control every bite or every step — it’s to guide, educate, and model a lifestyle that’s sustainable, flexible, and rooted in self-respect. The goal is to help them build a healthy relationship with food, fitness, and their own bodies that they can carry for life.
What are some tips you have for making fitness fun for kids who might be less enthusiastic about it?
Ditch the word exercise. Kids don’t want to “work out,” nor should they. They want to play, compete, and move their bodies in ways that feel exciting. The key is making fitness about fun, not force. Find what lights them up. Is it soccer? Dance? Martial arts? Skateboarding? Great — lean into that.
The goal isn’t to raise gym rats; it’s to help kids associate movement with happiness, confidence, and accomplishment. That means giving them options, letting them explore, and cheering them on when they find something they love. Not every kid is into traditional sports, and that’s okay. Build obstacle courses in the backyard, do silly dance-offs in the living room, or go on adventure hikes. Make movement part of life, not a chore.
If they need a little extra motivation, point to the people they admire — athletes, dancers, musicians. Show them that the artists they look up to don’t just have talent; they have stamina, strength, and focus. That kind of vitality doesn’t come from sitting still. It comes from taking care of your body. Help them connect the dots between physical energy and the success they dream about. The bottom line: Keep it positive, keep it creative, and let them lead the way.
What is something your kids have taught you about yourself?
Kids hold up a mirror we never asked for but deeply need. Personally, mine have shown me where I’m impatient, where I try to control too much, and where my own childhood wounds still live. However, they’ve made me want to be a better person — someone more flexible, more vulnerable, and more thoughtful.
Parenting has taught me that love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a daily practice of showing up, even when you’re tired, triggered, or unsure. They’ve made me more honest, because kids don’t care about your curated version — they see you, raw and unfiltered. The beautiful thing is, they just want your love, not your perfection.
More than anything, they’ve taught me to slow down, to find wonder again, to find laughter in the freefall, and to recognize that strength isn’t about powering through — it’s about staying soft when it would be easier to toughen up.
What do you think is misunderstood about parenting in the health and wellness space?
I think a big misconception is that if you’re into health and wellness, your parenting has to be rigid or perfect. Like, your kid’s lunch had better be organic, gluten-free, sugar-free, and arranged in the shape of a dolphin, or you’ve failed. That kind of pressure is not only unrealistic, it’s unhealthy in its own right.
Health and wellness aren’t about control; they’re about consistency, balance, and adaptability. You can raise strong, healthy kids without being militant. The goal isn’t to micromanage every bite or every step. It’s to create a home environment where healthy choices are the norm, but flexibility and joy still exist.
Another thing people get wrong is thinking that your own wellness should come last, that “good parents” are martyrs. No, your kids need to see you value yourself. When they see you prioritize movement, sleep, nutrition, and boundaries, it gives them permission to do the same. You’re not being selfish — you’re setting the standard.
The real message is: Lead with common sense, model the values you want to instill, and stop chasing perfection. Health is a lifestyle, not a performance.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to parents who are looking to incorporate wellness and fitness into their own children’s routines?
To quote Gandhi, “Be the change.”
