Health, wellness expert Jillian Michaels advises audience to know their 'why'

Getting out of your own way, knowing your passion and following your heart will help you achieve happiness in life, health and wellness expert Jillian Michaels told an audience of 1,618 at the Show Me Center on Monday evening.

Michaels was the first speaker for this year's Southeast Missouri State University Speaker Series. She is best known for appearances on "The Biggest Loser," a reality show in which contestants compete for prize money by losing the most weight, and "Losing It with Jillian," in which she spends a week with a family and helps them lose weight.

Michaels said she could not be further from perfect. She was an overweight child and had a "crappy relationship," a job she hated.

"I was very fortunate to have some fantastic teachers who helped me craft my purpose," and believed in her when she didn't believe in herself, Michaels said.

When she looked out into the audience, she didn't wish or wonder whether those attending could achieve their goals, she knew they could, she said.

"Each and every one of us has a reason for being here," Michaels said. "We are not an accident; none of us are. We all have a purpose. We've all been called and brought to this place for a reason. ... That purpose is to be uniquely you. That is the one thing you have to offer the world; your one true obligation to the world."

"A great man once said, if you have a 'why' to live for, you can tolerate any 'how,'" Michaels said. "That 'why' is passion, your purpose, uniquely your own."

When she asks people about their why, Michaels said she gets sweeping generalizations. Without risk, you'll never know that reward, she said.

Michaels' personal "why" is that she wants to be active with her children -- now age 3 and 17 months -- when they get older. She also wants to feel strong and confident, and wear skinny jeans and a two-piece bathing suit instead of a one-piece.

"How come so many people are out of touch with their true calling in life?" she asked the audience.

Many times, people live the lives they think they're supposed to instead of the lives they want, she said.

"People can break the rules and they do; it's OK to do your own thing, follow your own path, follow your passion, and do the things you love," Michaels said.

And don't be afraid to hope and act, because failure is an "integral part of success," she said.

One of her rules, she said, is "don't hurt other people and don't be a jerk."

"It's that simple. If you follow that one rule and with everything else you pursue your passions, I guarantee it will all work out the way it's supposed to," Michaels added.

Audience members got to ask Michaels questions after her presentation. One was Carolyn Childs, who was with a group from Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Ill. Childs said she has had one knee replaced and has arthritis in another, but wants to exercise to lose weight.

Michaels advised her to seek a physical therapist to get started.

Childs said she thought Michaels' presentation was "wonderful."

"I was glad she answered my question," Childs said.

Madi Whited, a freshman at Southeast Missouri State University, said she "really liked" the Michaels presentation.

"My aunt's been trying out for 'The Biggest Loser.' It was really cool to meet her," Whited said, adding she's supporting her aunt in her efforts to lose weight.

LeeAnn George, an adviser at Shawnee, brought 10 first-generation college students with her to Michaels' speech.

"I thought it was wonderful. I definitely think Jillian was a lot more down to earth than I thought she would be. She was very inspiring," George said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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