Michelle Bridges admits she was wrong for giving out “naive” advice when she welcomed her son

Trigger warning: This story discusses issues of fertility. If you, or someone you know, has experienced infertility, miscarriage or the sadness of a stillborn and would like more support, contact Sands on 1300 072 637 or visit their website: www.sands.org.au

Celebrity trainer Michelle Bridges has opened up about her past comments about fertility.

She admits that after years of reflection, she can understand why she was heavily scrutinised for what she said in the past.

When Michelle was pregnant with her son Axel in 2015, she caused controversy after she told WHO Magazine that she attributed her ability to conceive naturally at 44 to her healthy lifestyle.

In the interview, the former Biggest Loser coach said: “All of my years and all of Steve’s years of looking after ourselves and taking care of our health and our bodies – it just goes to show for someone my age for it to happen so quickly, it’s obviously got to do with good health.”

After the story was published, the public and health professionals condemned Michelle’s comments because of how they attribute to the shame felt by women who struggle to fall pregnant.

In 2021, Michelle has reflected and learnt from the public fallout.

In an interview on the podcast The Good Chat with Anita Anabel, she openly discussed the naivety of her comments and why she had expressed that opinion in the first place.

“I remember saying ‘Oh, you know I maybe put it down, maybe, to the fact that I’ve always looked after myself: I’ve always had really good health and I’ve taken care of myself’ and I got blasted in the media for saying that,” Michelle began.

“There was a lot of backlash from people who have said ‘I look after myself, I’ve done all of that too’, and I get that so I thought ‘that was a really naive thing to say, Michelle,’ lesson learnt.”

Michelle continued to explain that witnessing people she knows struggle made it more apparent that falling pregnant isn’t a linear experience.

“There’s a lot to it and if you are fortunate enough to fall, then great, sometimes you need assistance, great. I feel for all the woman and men out there who are trying to fall pregnant and having trouble. I know many people in that boat, personally know them and it’s hard,” she finished.

In a time of cancel culture, Michelle’s admissions prove that it is more productive for society to teach rather than vilify, because holding space for growth allows more progress.

The subject of fertility is still rife with misinformation and uninformed opinions, but this has changed drastically over the past few years.

Michelle’s public announcement is one of many micro-steps forward.