Michelle has been training in different sports and weight lifting since high school. She started off throwing shot put and discus in a small town just west of Cleveland, Ohio. After graduation, she was a walk-on track and field member at Ashland University and ended her collegiate career as a 5 time All-American in the hammer and weight throw.  She even donned a kilt a few times and threw telephone poles and heavy rocks in the Scottish Highland Games!  After college, Michelle focused her efforts on powerlifting specific training and competing. Michelle competed overseas at IPF Junior Worlds in the Czech Republic in 2010 where she came in second place with a total of 1171 pounds.   

After taking some time off of competing to build their family, Michelle is now a wife and mom to 4 crazy kids.  She first found Jiu Jitsu after listening to powerlifting and nutrition podcasts and fell in love with it right from the first class. She is currently a blue belt under Professor Sebastian B. Rodriguez and has now taken on a position as a kids coach at Checkmat Mt Juliet. Coach Michelle continues her training building her grappling skills in Jiu Jitsu at both Checkmat Mt Juliet and Checkmat Gallatin.