Jillian Michaels is an American fitness expert, nutritionist, businesswoman, media personality, and author.
She is best known for her appearances on NBC series such as The Biggest Loser. She has also made an appearance on the talk show The Doctors. In 2015, she hosted and co-judged a series on Spike titled Sweat, INC. In 2016, her reality television series Just Jillian premiered on E!.
Michaels was born in Los Angeles on February 18, 1974, the daughter of psychotherapist JoAnn, and lawyer Douglas McKarus. Her mother is Jewish and her father is of Syrian descent. She was raised in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Michaels was heavy in her youth, using food to comfort herself, which became more pronounced at age 13 when her parents divorced. 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.
She attended California State University, Northridge, supporting herself as a bartender and personal trainer during that time. In 2002, after working briefly as an agent with International Creative Management, she opened the sports medicine facility Sky Sport & Spa in Beverly Hills.
