Most know her as the tough-talking, vomit-provoking, pint-sized trainer on The Biggest Loser. But Jillian Michaels is sharing her softer side with the world during her 2013 cross-continent “Maximize Your Life” tour. And she’s not just talking about how to lose the pounds for good – she’s also dishing out advice on how to affect change in all aspects of your life for true, optimal health.

- Rachel Crocker, Deputy Editor

Hey, it’s Jessica here, Oxygen’s editorial intern. My one-month internship is coming to an end, but I loved helping this magazine put together content that helps women achieve their fitness dreams. It’s been exciting to see all the hard work that creates Oxygen – the tweeting, editing, researching, fact-checking, interviewing and more. My favorite project, though, was writing the "Future of Fitness" section. These girls are so inspirational! So as I leave Oxygen, I thought I’d share a bit about myself also, hoping it will inspire someone else.

Four years ago, I decided to get serious about scoring abs. While a lot of little changes helped me reach my goal, I started seeing real progress after one big shift. And it wasn’t cutting back on cheat meals or adding an extra training day – it was something much deeper than that.

-Jessica Culver, Editorial Intern

Hello Oxygen readers! This is Jessica, Oxygen's new editorial intern. I’ve followed oxygenmag.com for years, but I never thought I’d be on the other side of the screen! Needless to say, I’m pretty thrilled--especially when I got this assignment.

World Gym fitness ambassador Matt Mendrun is a nutrition expert, personal trainer, physique competitor, fitness writer and self-proclaimed chef. (What doesn't he do?!) He was kind enough to answer my rapid-fire questions about nutrition, fat loss and speedy workouts. Here's the dirt.

-Jessica Culver, Editorial Intern

The final stretch of the Boston Marathon leads off one of the most iconic finish lines in sport. Almost 26 miles into the 26.2-mile race, you make a final left-hand turn off Hereford Street and onto Boylston, and there in the distance, you can see the blue arc of the bridge that’s mounted above the thick blue and yellow finish line that’s painted onto the road.

I’ve run the Boston Marathon five times and this last quarter-mile always brings me to tears. Runners are always a bit of an emotional wreck this far into a marathon, but there is something magical about Boston, with its 117-year history, that brings out a powerful sense of being a part of something big.

Are you guys as excited as I am about Month Two? Say it with me: no more quinoa! Or wall squats. Hallelujah!

I ran though the program for the first time this week and--once I got over my fear that the resistance band was going to snap in my face like a giant elastic--I am loving it so far.