My name is Michelle Heffernan, and I am a 52-year-old mother of two teenagers, living in Kilkenny City and originally from Mullingar.
From a young age, I developed a passion for movement, enjoying activities such as dancing, swimming, running, and cycling—much like many children growing up in the 1980s. In 1990, I began college, and after my first year, I noticed I had started to gain weight. Determined to take control of my health, I visited a video store in search of fitness tapes.
I committed to regular exercise, and before long, I returned to my normal weight. However, what began as a solution to a problem quickly became a lifelong passion. I continued exercising not just for physical benefits, but because it brought me joy and a sense of well-being.
Whether you are a complete beginner or want to challenge yourself, I have something for everyone
In 1998, I had the opportunity to travel again, but with long working hours required to support myself, I began to gain weight. By 2001, I had put on a significant amount.
It took several years to fully address this challenge, but with determination, I regained my fitness before my wedding in 2006, which served as my primary motivation at the time.
In 2012, shortly after the birth of my son, I was inspired to pursue independent work and decided to take the leap. I launched my journey with The Biggest Loser, running fitness classes while closely tracking my clients’ progress. The program quickly gained momentum, growing stronger each year.
However, I soon encountered a challenging period. Just as I was beginning to move past these difficulties, I received a cancer diagnosis in 2019, followed shortly by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, I wasn’t sure if things would ever return to normal.
Fortunately, by 2021, I was able to start teaching live classes again—an experience that reignited my passion and reaffirmed my commitment to health and fitness.
