Michelle Bridges joins body+soul: Motherhood, fitness and bouncing back from pregnancy
TRAINER Michelle Bridges — the newest member of the body+soul team — chats about motherhood, fitness and why she’s not “bouncing back” from pregnancy.
SHE might be the closest thing Australia has to Oprah – a straight-talking, tough-loving motivational guru with thousands of acolytes across the country – but Michelle Bridges is no different from any other new mum.
She’s tired. She can’t finish an email or even a conversation without a baby-related interruption.
She’s working hard at breastfeeding but occasionally tops up with formula when she feels she has run dry.
And, like all new mums, she’s completely besotted.
“He’s just gorgeous, I love it [motherhood],” she says.
“The other day a friend of mine texted, ‘Are you just sitting there gazing at your baby?’ Actually, I was.”
Michelle has taken what she wryly describes as maternity leave.
In most people’s worlds that means a break from work, but in hers, in which every minute
is usually accounted for, it means a dramatically pared-back schedule.
She can’t stop, because the ever-growing behemoth that’s Bridges Incorporated is unstoppable.
And the latest project in her grand plan to bring fitness and nutrition to Australia is a column in body+soul.
It will focus on the three pillars of Michelle’s philosophy: fitness, nutrition, and mindset.
“I’m very excited to join the body+soul team, it’s a real opportunity to speak nationally and to the broader community,” she says.
“That fits in with my strategy to reach as many Australians as possible.
“My column will only ever be about empowering people, giving them some tools. Some of the tools they will love and put in their tool room, some they will hate, and that’s fine.
“But it will only ever be about a positive message, trying to empower people to look after themselves.”
TAKING BABY STEPS
INTENSE training for Michelle, 45, has been on hold since Axel was born.
She’s been doing what she feels comfortable with, which might be a power walk one day,
and nothing the next.
“Sometimes I’m in my pyjamas until midday,” she says.
“I know my body, and I know what I’m comfortable with.”
Michelle came under fire for posting her post-baby training regimen on Instagram, with many accusing her of being “irresponsible” for promoting an active exercise regimen only weeks after birth.
But she took the criticism in her stride, saying that no matter how many caveats she added – that women should see their doctor before exercising, and that she’s a professional who has been working out hard since she was 14 years old – her words will always be misinterpreted by some.
“Many people connect exercise with body image, but for me it’s not all about that – sure everyone wants to look good in a swimsuit, but that’s only a little bit of it,” Michelle says.
“I exercise to feel good. I go for a run because it makes me feel better.”
She welcomes the changes pregnancy and birth have wrought on her body – the softer edges, the sore breastfeeding boobs, even the weaker pelvic floor.
“You earn those scars,” she says.
She doesn’t like the phrase “bouncing back” from pregnancy.
“There is no bouncing back. You grow with these experiences, you change.”
And she’s taking some joy from her post-baby body. At the b+s shoot just six weeks post-birth, she was expressing some excitement with her new breasts.
“I love them!”
So far – and she touches wood emphatically – son Axel has been a relatively easy baby.
Yes, he usually feeds every three hours, and yes, there haven’t been decent amounts of sleep for anyone but him since he was born on December 19, but otherwise, so far, so good.
“I feel great today,” Michelle says.
“Last night he slept five hours straight, then an hour feeding, then he slept for another three hours. That’s eight hours, even though it was broken sleep.”
Michelle admits she has drawn on all her considerable reserves of fitness to deal with the physical demands of the past seven weeks, and doesn’t know how she would have managed without them.
Her partner Steve Willis has been a great help.
“He’s changing nappies and disinfecting bottles,” she says.
“He’s very organised – it’s an army thing.”
NO NANNY FOR NOW
WHEN body+soul met Axel on the photo shoot, he was sleeping peacefully, tucked into his capsule.
Michelle says she’s a relaxed mother, but she still presided over her son with a mix of pride and anxiety.
Despite Michelle’s multi-million dollar fitness fortune, there will be no nanny for this future super-trainer (although she says she won’t push her son into fitness; rather, she and Steve will set an example for him to follow).
For the time being, Australia’s fitness queen will have Axel with her at work and when she’s training.
Last week, she had her first session with trainer Joey Sheather, and baby watched from his pram.
“I don’t have a nanny, and I’m not planning on getting one right now,” Michelle says.
“I may have to have one in future, someone who can come in on a case-by-case basis.
“I put out an Instagram shot of me training outside. Ninety-eight per cent of people were supportive, but some said, ‘Oh, maybe if I had a nanny I could do that’.
“No, I don’t have a nanny, he’s actually here with me, we’re out together. No nanny required. Everyone, relax.”
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST COUPLE OF FITNESS
MICHELLE joins another body+soul favourite, “Commando” Steve Willis, 39, who’s also her partner, the father of her son, and fellow TBL trainer.
“I think it’s fantastic that Michelle is on board with body+soul,” Steve says.
“She’s very upbeat, constantly full of energy and thinking of new ways of doing things.
“We’re truly passionate about helping people.
“I feel privileged to be working alongside her – I’m sure as she is me – and to be continuing my relationship with body+soul.”
One can only imagine the conversations in their Sydney apartment, as they devise ways to reduce the nation’s expanding waistline, one burpee at a time.
Michelle says she and Steve complement each other’s strengths.
He’s a cross-fit expert while she’s a weights and cardio enthusiast.
Their columns will be separate, but they might do one together occasionally.
When asked how they train together without fighting, she laughs.
“Maybe we’ll do a column: ‘How To Train With Your Partner Without Murdering Him’.”
Originally published as Michelle Bridges joins body+soul: Motherhood, fitness and bouncing back from pregnancy
Join the conversation
What teens are most worried about
COVID-19 isn’t the most important issue facing Australia today, according to a teen survey. Instead, something else took the top spot.
Read more
Sam Jade’s a true fan of positive self-talk
Singer Samantha Jade believes in positive affirmations and starts off her mornings, every day, by planting her feet on the ground and saying ‘thank you’.
Read more
Ash London’s tips on exercise and motivation
Radio presenter Ash London says having something to focus on — like her goal of training for a virtual running festival — helps keep her happy and motivated.
Read more