When Michelle Bridges found success as a personal trainer on The Biggest Loser in 2007, she was determined not to let the opportunity slip by.
While many women consider starting a family in their thirties, Michelle poured all her energy into her burgeoning career.
But in 2013, something happened that changed her perspective – she met and fell in love with fellow The Biggest Loser trainer Steve “The Commando” Willis.
Two years later, they welcomed their first child, son Axel, into the world.
Reflecting on that time, Michelle, 48, reveals her path to motherhood was rather unexpected.
“My career took off when I was 35, and I hadn’t really experienced the idea of having children; I didn’t know if I was that maternal,” she tells TV WEEK.
“So there I am, aged 44, in this wonderful relationship and we decided to have a baby – when I thought it wasn’t going to happen in my life. I thought, ‘I’m 44 − have I left my run too late?'”
Steve and Michelle at the TV WEEK Logie Awards.
With flourishing TV careers – including appearing on Australian Survivor and Dancing With The Stars – and a toddler on their hands, Steve and Michelle are now busier than ever.
They wouldn’t have it any other way. Michelle insists it’s just part of life.
“We’re just like any other family who have full-time jobs and children; we’re not special!” she says with a laugh.
“We didn’t plan to be so busy [with Michelle on DWTS after Steve appeared on Australian Survivor], but that’s often the way it is – you have to figure it out as you go!”
Michelle and Steve with their son Axel.
As Michelle prepares to dance her way to victory in DWTS, she knows she has the full support of her family at home.
“Steve is 100 per cent behind me,” she says. “We make a good team. By the time I get home, he’s prepared Axel’s bath, got dinner sorted and even got the bottle ready.
“He’s ex-military, so everything’s always done before it even needs to be done!”
Dancing With The Stars airs Monday, 7.30pm, on 10.
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