If you’ve ever watched The Biggest Loser Australia, you already know Michelle Bridges as the tough-but-inspiring trainer who pushed contestants to transform their lives. But outside the gym and the TV set, her own life story — especially her journey into motherhood and co-parenting — has drawn just as much curiosity.
Born: 20 October 1970 ·
Occupation: Personal trainer, author, television personality ·
Known for: The Biggest Loser Australia (2007–2015) ·
Number of children: 1 son ·
Age when had first child: 45 ·
Ex-partner: Steve ‘Commando’ Willis
Quick snapshot
- Australian personal trainer, author, TV personality (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Born 20 October 1970 (Aussie Pulse (entertainment profile))
- Known for The Biggest Loser Australia (2007–2015) (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Founder of 12 Week Body Transformation (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Current relationship status (not publicly disclosed) (Daily Mail (entertainment tabloid))
- Exact net worth (not publicly verified) (Aussie Pulse (entertainment profile))
- Details of her son’s private life (not shared) (The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine))
- Born 20 October 1970 (Aussie Pulse (entertainment profile))
- Began career as personal trainer early 2000s (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Son Axel born 19 December 2015 (The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine))
- Separated from Steve Willis in 2020 (The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine))
- Continues running 12WBT and promoting fitness (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Co-parenting son Axel with ex-partner (Now To Love (celebrity news))
- Describes herself as “consciously single” as of 2024 (Australia Press (entertainment blog))
The table below captures the essential biographical details for Michelle Bridges.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Michelle Bridges |
| Date of birth | 20 October 1970 (Aussie Pulse (entertainment profile)) |
| Place of birth | Australia (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)) |
| Occupation | Personal trainer, author, television personality (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)) |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Number of children | 1 (son Axel, born 19 December 2015) (The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine)) |
| Ex-partner | Steve ‘Commando’ Willis (The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine)) |
The implication: Michelle Bridges’ public profile rests on a fitness empire built over two decades, but her private milestones are what draw the most audience curiosity.
Does Michelle Bridges have a partner?
Who was Michelle Bridges’ partner?
- Michelle Bridges was in a long-term relationship with Steve ‘Commando’ Willis, a fellow Biggest Loser trainer. They were together from 2012 to 2020, according to The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine).
- The couple met on the set of The Biggest Loser and became one of Australia’s most recognisable fitness duos.
What is Michelle Bridges’ current relationship status?
- As of 2025, Bridges remains single. In 2024 coverage she described herself as “consciously single” (Australia Press (entertainment blog)).
- No new partner has been publicly confirmed (Daily Mail (entertainment tabloid)).
How old was Michelle Bridges when she had a baby?
When did Michelle Bridges give birth?
Michelle Bridges gave birth to her only child, a son named Axel, on 19 December 2015. She was 45 years old at the time (The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine)). This made her one of the older first-time mothers in the Australian public eye.
What was her pregnancy like?
Bridges has spoken candidly about the experience. In a 2021 interview, she admitted that her earlier comments about pregnancy had been “naive” (Now To Love (celebrity and lifestyle)). She said: “I chose to have a little boy and gave birth to him at 45.” The pregnancy was unexpected, but she embraced motherhood wholeheartedly.
Bridges built her brand on controlling her body through diet and exercise, but her pregnancy reminded her — and her audience — that biology doesn’t always follow a script. Her “naive” admission became a teachable moment about the realities of late-in-life motherhood.
The pattern: Bridges’ willingness to admit naivety signals a shift from fitness guru to relatable parent.
How many kids does Michelle Bridges have?
Details about Michelle Bridges’ child
Michelle Bridges has one son, Axel, born on 19 December 2015 (The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine)). She has not had any other children. In 2023 coverage, Axel was described as seven years old, confirming the timeline (Now To Love (celebrity news)).
Bridges has chosen to keep most details of her son’s life private, sharing only occasional glimpses on social media. She has stated that protecting his privacy is a priority.
The catch: The public knows Bridges has one child, but the details of Axel’s life remain under her protective guard.
Are Commando and Michelle still together?
Why did Michelle Bridges and Commando separate?
Michelle Bridges and Steve ‘Commando’ Willis ended their relationship in 2020 (The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine)). Neither party has publicly detailed the reasons, but both have described the split as amicable. Willis has three children from a previous relationship (Daily Mail (entertainment tabloid)).
How do they co-parent now?
Both Bridges and Willis have spoken positively about their co-parenting arrangement. Bridges said in a 2024 interview: “You really have to step up to be a co-parent” (Now To Love (celebrity news)). Willis has echoed that they remain friends and work together for Axel’s wellbeing (Daily Mail (entertainment tabloid)).
Who is the father of Michelle Bridges’ son?
What is Commando’s real name?
Steve “Commando” Willis is a former Australian Army physical training instructor who became a personal trainer and television personality on The Biggest Loser Australia. His nickname “Commando” stuck from his military background (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
Is Commando involved in his son’s life?
Yes. Willis co-parents Axel with Bridges. He has spoken in interviews about the importance of being present for his son (Daily Mail (entertainment tabloid)). The two parents maintain a friendly relationship, often appearing together for milestone events.
What this means: Willis is an active father despite the separation, reinforcing the amicable co-parenting narrative.
Timeline: Key milestones in Michelle Bridges’ personal life
- 20 October 1970 — Michelle Bridges born (Aussie Pulse (entertainment profile))
- Early 2000s — Began career as a personal trainer (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- 2007–2015 — Trainer on The Biggest Loser Australia (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- 19 December 2015 — Son Axel born; Bridges aged 45 (The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine))
- 2020 — Separated from Steve Willis (The Australian Women’s Weekly (lifestyle magazine))
- 2021 — Called her pregnancy comment “naive” in an interview (Now To Love (celebrity and lifestyle))
- 2024 — Described being “consciously single” and focused on co-parenting (Australia Press (entertainment blog))
Clarity: What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Michelle Bridges was born 20 October 1970.
- She was a trainer on The Biggest Loser Australia from 2007 to 2015.
- She has one son, Axel, born 19 December 2015.
- Her ex-partner is Steve ‘Commando’ Willis.
- They separated in 2020 and co-parent amicably.
- She is currently single and not publicly dating.
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (not publicly verified).
- Details of her son’s private life (not shared).
- Future relationship status.
Quotes: In their own words
“I chose to have a little boy and gave birth to him at 45.”
— Michelle Bridges, in a 2024 interview with Now To Love (celebrity and lifestyle)
“You really have to step up to be a co-parent.”
— Michelle Bridges, speaking about her arrangement with Steve Willis (Now To Love (celebrity news))
Steve Willis has described the co-parenting relationship as “beautiful” and said they remain friends.
— As reported by Daily Mail (entertainment tabloid)
Summary
Michelle Bridges has carved a unique path: from fitness empire builder to single mother navigating co-parenting with her ex-partner. Her willingness to admit that her earlier pregnancy comments were “naive” shows a rare public vulnerability. For readers following her story, the takeaway is clear: Bridges is proof that life’s biggest transformations happen outside the gym. For Australian parents in blended families, her example offers a concrete model: co-parenting can work when both sides commit to it, even after a public split.
Bridges herself made this clear when she said that stepping up to co-parent was a conscious choice, not an accident.
australiawatch.net, australiapress.org, newidea.com.au, youtube.com, facebook.com
For a deeper look at her financial journey alongside her personal milestones, Michelle Bridges relationship timeline and net worth provides additional context on her career and family life.
Frequently asked questions
What is Michelle Bridges’ most famous book?
Her most well-known book is Crunch Time, a fitness and nutrition guide. She has also published several other bestselling titles in the 12 Week Body Transformation series (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
How did Michelle Bridges start her fitness career?
She began as a personal trainer in the early 2000s before joining The Biggest Loser Australia in 2007 (
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.