Medical, Science, and Health Advisory Council

Director, University of Michigan Sport, Health, and Activity Research and Policy Center

Michelle Segar Ph.D., MPH, MS directs the University of Michigan’s Sport, Health, and Activity Research and Policy Center. She is an award-winning scientist and has spent over 27 years studying how to create systems that cultivate sustainable healthy behaviors through research and health coaching. Her bestselling book, No Sweat: How the Simple Science of Motivation Can Bring You a Lifetime of Fitness, was featured in The New York Times, and is being used to train health coaches and medical professionals around the world. She is passionate about translating the latest research into engaging and impactful concepts and graphics for use in behavior change products and services.

She is frequently interviewed in the media and consults and speaks internationally about these issues. She was the inaugural chair of the U.S. National Physical Activity Plan’s Communication Committee and is a member of the H.E.R.O. (Health Enhancement Research Organization) Research Advisory Group. Dr. Segar holds a doctorate in Psychology (Ph.D.), a master’s degree in Health Behavior/Health Education (MPH), and a master’s degree in Kinesiology (MS) from the University of Michigan. She ran with the Olympic Torch at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.