Jillian Michaels is a fitness trainer, television host, and businesswoman who was born in Los Angeles, California on February 18th, 1974. Aside from working as a personal trainer, she has also written nine different books on health, fitness, and dieting. Most of Jillian Micheals’ fame, however, comes from her appearance on the hit NBC television series, The Biggest Loser.
The Biggest Loser first aired in 2004, and it has run for a total of 18 seasons so far. The show takes overweight contestants who want to turn their lifestyle around. These contestants put into teams and they enter into a cutthroat competition. Contestants receive personal trainers to help them successfully work out and lose weight. Jillian Michaels worked as a trainer on the show for a total of 12 seasons. With a black belt in karate, as well as an expertise in Pilates, yoga, kickboxing, weight training, and plyometrics, Jillian Michaels is able to teach her clients a variety of skills that can help others improve their physique.
With many Americans suffering from obesity-related illnesses, it’s no wonder physical fitness is becoming a priority. People are trying to learn how to properly take care of their bodies. However, this craze in physical fitness can sometimes clash with a more recent body positivity movement.
The Ideal Skinny Body
It’s no secret that society promotes skinny bodies as being the ideal. Sometimes, women force to become unhealthily underweight simply to be attractive. There is a fine line between celebrating diverse bodies and promoting healthy lifestyles. After all, no two healthy people will look exactly alike, and people are finally realizing that it is unreasonable to expect all humans to look exactly the same. Today, people are working hard to strike that delicate balance between promoting healthy lifestyles while also celebrating people’s bodies, rather than shaming them.
Unfortunately, not everyone is on the same page. Recently, Jillian Michaels sparked some controversy in an interview with Buzzfeed News, where she shamed another woman for her body. Furthermore, some experts claim that her expertise isn’t completely warranted. In today’s video, we’re going to take a look at why Jillian Michaels may not be as deserving of her fame as a fitness trainer. Make sure you stick around so you can find out exactly what Jillian Michaels said that has enraged people all over the Internet!
She Once Humiliated Her Assistant
It’s no secret that many people who have climbed their way to fame may not be the kindest humans in the world. However, while most television personalities and celebrities will at least put on a mask in order to appear more likeable, others aren’t afraid to show off their mean side. While some people find Jillian Michaels’ candor refreshing, others have become increasingly more aware that she’s rather rude. Even if she considers to be quite competent in her field, should we really celebrate people who can’t even be kind to others?
In an episode of her personal show, Just Jillian, Jillian Michaels showed a glimpse of her true colors to her audience, seemingly without remorse. She slammed her assistant’s car, using profane language to describe the vehicle. She also reduced her assistant to little more than a butler, saying “One of the perks of having an assistant is that you have a chauffeur, right? You can work in the car. Someone else drives, you don’t have to worry about anything.”
It’s sad that Jillian Michaels seems to have so little respect for her assistant, who clearly makes Michaels’ day-to-day life significantly easier. Clearly, Jillian feels that she is better than others around her, which likely makes her very unpleasant to be near.
She Was Sued for Using a Trademark Name
Corinne Greenhalgh, who owns Body Revolution Personal Training located in Raynham, Massachusetts, was furious when she discovered that Jillian Michaels had used part of her company’s name. Corinne Greenhalgh had attained a trademark of the name, which Jillian Michaels violated after she created a fitness program entitled “Jillian Michaels Body Revolution.”
Greenhalgh’s attorney, Tim Perry, felt confident about the lawsuit, saying “… The case is pretty elementary. We have obtained a trademark that’s valid and enforceable. We do know Miss Michaels is marketing on the Internet and TV infomercials, so we expect royalties from infringement are quite high.”
However, much of the lawsuit keeps under wraps, likely hushed up due to Michaels’ prominent position. While we don’t know the exact outcome of the case, things certainly didn’t look good for Michaels.
Some Allegations Suggest One of Her Pills Is Misleading
Jillian Michaels may be a fitness trainer, but she is also a business woman. She released a Maximum Strength Calorie Control pill, which many customers complain has been misleading. Despite the packaging, which claims that eating two pills before main meals will help a person lose weight, many dissatisfied customers explain that the pill doesn’t do exactly what it describes.
Furthermore, the subject of diet pills itself is quite controversial. While Jillian Michaels claims to promote a healthy lifestyle, studies have shown time and time again that the real way to lose weight and keep it off is to change your lifestyle, rather than relying on pills or fad diets.
She Made Rude Comments About Another Celebrity’s Body
On the Buzzfeed News show “AM to DM,” Jillian Michaels made some controversial comments about the popular singer Lizzo. Lizzo, while overweight, has embraced her body, which has inspired many others to feel more comfortable in their own skin. While it is important to recognize that being overweight can lead to health complications, it is also entirely possible to be healthy without being stick-thin. Many women especially have been taught that their bodies are undesirable, even if they eat healthily and exercise. Lizzo’s positive messages have been a beacon of hope to women all around the world.
Jillian Michaels, however, had some strong words to say about Lizzo. “Why are we celebrating her body? Why does it matter? … Cause it isn’t gonna be awesome if she gets diabetes.” Jillian Michaels seemed to miss the mark on why Lizzo’s body positivity does matter; she has helped countless women realize they are truly beautiful no matter their size. Even if being overweight does lead to health issues, it doesn’t decrease a person’s worth. Jillian’s candid comments led to extreme backlash on Twitter, but the fitness trainer doesn’t seem to feel guilty at all about the comments she made.
Jillian Michael’s rude comments aren’t the only thing that have sparked plenty of backlash. Criticism from some professionals has led many to realize that the supposed fitness expert may not be all that she’s cracked up to be. Make sure you stick around until the very end of this video to find out why critics are calling some of Jillian Michaels work “appalling.” And if you’re enjoying this story so far, please take a moment to like this video and subscribe to our channel for more!
Her Fitness App Isn’t For the Faint of Heart
This one isn’t actually too negative, but more of a caution to anyone looking to download her app, which is appropriately named Jillian Michaels Fitness App. Many fitness apps are targeted towards people who are just starting to monitor their weight, health, diet, and physical fitness. However, Jillian Michaels’ app is very different. This app is designed specifically for people who are already at least a little fit.
If you are still looking to change your relationship with food or trying to get into a healthier mindset, you should definitely consider downloading a different app. Jillian Michaels’ fitness app is aimed towards more intermediate and advanced walks of life, and it isn’t recommended for beginners.
Some of Her Products Contained Dangerous Ingredients
Jillian Michaels has been the victim of many lawsuits, some of them for good reason. One of Michaels’ diet supplements, called the “Triple Process Total Body Detox & Cleanse,” was under fire for dangerous ingredients. A class-action lawsuit claimed that the combination of toxic ingredients could cause liver damage, as well as ulcers, vomiting, and nausea. While none of these symptoms are exactly lethal, they’re nothing to be sneezed at, and it’s unfortunate that Jillian Michaels didn’t think to specify the potential dangers of her product.
Even more shocking is the fact that the case against the “Triple Process Body Detox & Cleanse” wasn’t the only case of dangerous ingredients. Another product, the “Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Fat Burner,” was the subject of yet another lawsuit for containing several ingredients that combined into what one person described as a “toxic cocktail.” One of the ingredients, citrus aurantium, was even dangerous enough to be potentially lethal.
Experts Are Critical of Her Fitness Abilities
James S. Fell, a strength and conditioning specialist, described Michaels as being “an actress playing the role of fitness trainer.” He explained that her technique was poor, and her training practices were often unsafe. One weight lifting expert watched her video demonstrating work with kettlebells, and he explained in horror, “Her technique is appalling…. I would not recommend this from a safety perspective.” Despite many people believing Jillian Michaels to be a credible expert on the subject of fitness, it seems she may be far from safe to listen to.
A pattern of lawsuits and criticism from experts has led many people to realize that Jillian Michaels may not be as credible as TV has led us to believe. Do you still trust Jillian Michaels as a fitness trainer, or do you think her work is all a performance? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to Facts Verse for more!
