Jillian Michaels (born February 18, 1974) is an American fitness expert, nutritionist, businesswoman, media personality, and author.

Michaels was born in Los Angeles on February 18, 1974,[2] the daughter of psychotherapist JoAnn, and lawyer Douglas McKarus.

Her mother enrolled her in martial arts classes to help her deal with stress, the result of which was Jillian focusing on health, wellness and fitness.

[8] Michaels has also developed a continuing education series for trainers with AFAA and holds a nutrition and wellness consultant certificate with the American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA).

[13] Michaels recently formed a partnership with Bill Maher's Club Random to expand her audio podcast "Keeping It Real" to video.

[14] Michaels launched her company Empowered Media LLC in 2008 and released her fitness video membership website called Fitfusion.com.

[25] On May 6, 2011, CBS Television Distribution announced that Michaels had signed a multi-year deal to become a co-host of the panel-discussion show The Doctors, as well as to serve as a special correspondent on the CTD program Dr. Phil.

[26] On the show, Michaels hosted a recurring segment called Ask Jillian, which dealt primarily with nutrition and diet topics.

Michaels left The Doctors in January 2012 after half a season, because, she said, the arrangement "wasn't the fit both the show and I hoped for".

[46][47] Michaels referred to Donald Trump as "a bigot trying to rob Americans of their equal rights" during the 2016 United States presidential election.

[48] That same year, Michaels labeled Trump's vice presidential candidate Mike Pence "the number one anti-gay politician in the country right now.