Growing up, Michell didn't enjoy working out, especially running. She was never enrolled in any sports and dreaded her PE classes. In her early 20s, she began going out more and partying, and said she became careless about the food she was eating. She said, "I eventually became addicted to fast food, eating out at least five days out of the week." Michell attempted to lose weight many times by going on low-carb diets. She even lost 20 pounds at one point but gained it all back, plus an extra 15 pounds.