Michell began her weight-loss journey in November 2013, at age 25, and at 253 pounds. Two reasons inspired her to get serious about losing weight. One was her physical health, because about two years earlier, she had been diagnosed with high cholesterol. "My cholesterol levels were three times higher than the normal range," Michell said.
The other reason was for her mental health. "I was depressed and didn't recognise the person I had become. I didn't want to feel tired all the time," Michell said. She also wanted results that would last, so she knew whatever changes she made would have to be for the rest of her life. It took her about three years to lose 108 pounds. "The first year I lost around 60 pounds. After that year I decided to go back to college and the weight came off slowly after that," Michell said.