Michelle Bridges: 'I Don't Apologise For Who I Am'

It’s 3:30pm when Michelle Bridges jumps on the phone for our interview. She’s been up since 5am meeting readers on the book trail, and in the background, I can hear her new baby wailing.

But in true Bridges style, she soldiers on – and though she probably doesn’t feel like it, she’s as affable and inspiring as ever.

RELATED: Michelle Bridges is pregnant

RELATED: Michelle Bridges and Commando's babymoon pics

The new mum has a new book out (Make It Happen) – and rather than focusing on fitness, it has a distinctly personal theme that Bridges says arose from her signature keynote address.

“I asked my publicist to come a long one day to hear it and asked her if there was a book in it. She said, ‘Absolutely, there’s a book in it’.

“So we had the skeleton of the story, and it went from there. I delve into fitness of course, but also career, family and relationships. It intertwines my life stories with people that I’ve worked with.

“At the end of the day, my hope is that the book helps people move forward with their lives or recognise a roadblock they might have put in their own way. I really wanted to challenge my readers by opening them up to the possibility of something new and a different way of thinking.”

For Bridges, 45, this way of thinking has been ingrained from a young age. At the age of seven, she says, she knew she wanted to help motivate others.

As she got older, that dream became a possibility. At just 14, she began teaching exercise classes at school in a bid to involve classmates that were less sporty.

“Having been bullied myself, I knew what it was like to feel left out,” Bridges offers. “Once I started that class and they realised how great it was, it was like something just clicked. I realised I wanted to help people become the best versions of themselves.”

But as for being motivated all the time? It’s rubbish, says Bridges. “Motivation is like a bad boyfriend - never there when you need them,” she laughs. “You don't have to be motivated 24/7 – god, I'd jump off the balcony if that were the case!

“It's great to be motivated by setting goals - but don't feel that you've constantly got to be in this motivational mindset.”

At this point, Axel can be heard making noises in the background – and when asked about him, you can hear Bridges’ voice light up on the other end of the phone.

“Axel is fantastic,” she says. “He’s the best. I just adore him and I can’t get enough of him right now!

“I take him to the gym sometimes – he’s only been to a few sessions – but it’s so cute. He does tummy time while I do my crunches.”

Last month, Bridges came under fire for publicising a post-pregnancy workout some said could be dangerous for new mums.

Today, Bridges refuses to apologise for it, saying her fans aren’t stupid.

“I took all that controversy with a grain of salt,” she explained. “My fans know me. They know that when I post my own exercises, it’s not necessarily something they can do straight away.

“I shouldn't have to hide it or apologise for who I am. I'm a professional at the end of the day.”

So how does she deal with the criticism?

“That's when I go back to what I am and who I stand for. I’m basically taking my own advice from my book,” she laughs.

Touching on the subject of social media, Bridges is contemplative.

“I always put my phone away when I’m with friends or family,” she explains. “But I love Instagram. On the flipside though, I definitely think it conveys a side to people that isn’t necessarily true.

“My Instagram account is never going to look like a Vogue magazine shoot. That’s not me! It’s a difficult one to navigate. I feel like it’s a really interesting topic, particularly when you think in terms of future generations. Are we doing the right thing by our kids?”

Bridges is full of words of wisdom - but what’s the number one piece of advice she’s ever gotten?

“A life unexamined is a life not worth living,” Bridges answers immediately. “I know, that sounds so dramatic! But it’s really not. It’s more about stopping and checking in with where you’re at. Are you happy with who you are and where you’re going?

RELATED: Michelle Bridges welcomes baby boy to the world

“I’ve also always held something my grandma always told me close to my heart,” she adds. “Instead of asking, ‘What do I get from this?’, ask yourself, ‘Who can I be? For my community? For my friends? For my family?’

“It’s kind of beautiful – the ‘what’s in it for me’ syndrome is like a microscope, while the flipside is a telescope. It’s an important lesson to learn.”

Michelle Bridges will be signing copies of her new book, Make It Happen, at the following locations:
•Saturday 27 Feb VIC - BIG Eastland Westfield (12noon)
•Sunday 28 Feb NSW - BIG W Penrith Westfield (12noon)
•Saturday 5 Mar WA - BIG W Whitford City (12noon)