"I did more push-ups than her" — Michelle Obama opens up about being challenged by Ellen DeGeneres on her show in 2012

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama looked back on her time when she appeared on Ellen DeGeneres' show in 2012. On May 13, 2025, she sat down with Amy Poehler on the latter’s Good Hang podcast.

Amy Poehler asked Michelle Obama if she could do regular push-ups, and Michelle said she could, though it was difficult. She explained that she couldn't go down because of her arm length.

She mentioned that Ellen DeGeneres noticed that during a push-up challenge they did together on the show. Michelle said:

“So, I am on her show doing push-ups and I did more push-ups than her but she still says, ‘I didn't go down all the way.’”

She went on:

“But anatomically, I don't think I really can my arms are very long and she's a much smaller person than me.”

Michelle Obama then commented that smaller people are the best friends of many. While discussing temperature preferences in the room, sleeping habits, and subtly touching on aging, Michelle asked Poehler if she did yoga. The podcast host replied in the affirmative, saying it helped her with her frozen shoulder.

She then asked Michelle if she was into push-ups. The former First Lady replied that she did push-ups on her knees. However, she claimed that she did not need to do regular push-ups as she had nothing to prove.

Here is what Michelle Obama said about her parents and the teasing pact she had with Barack Obama

When Poehler asked if her parents were tall, Michelle Obama said they weren’t. Her mother was around 5'5 or 5'6, and her father was about 5'9 or 5'10. Amy then asked where Michelle’s height came from, and Michelle explained that they believed it was due to better nutrition.

She added that most of her cousins were also tall, even though their parents were average height, and the next generation of kids seemed to be getting even taller. As they conversed, Amy Poehler suggested that teasing was Michelle and her family’s love language. She agreed and said:

“See, we have a deal. Barack and I, in our marriage, and it started very early. It's like I can tease you but you cannot tease me, you know. So, when he does, I was like, ‘Oh oh oh oh wait a minute what's going on here?’ And she he's like, ‘I'm teasing you right?’ I was like, ‘None of that.’”

Michelle Obama shared that when she, Malia, and Sasha were together, they often teased Barack Obama, and he didn't stand a chance against their playful jabs. She explained that teasing was their way of showing love, like giving a gentle nudge.

Trending

Amy Poehler agreed that the closer one is to someone and the safer they feel with them, the more likely they are to tease. She mentioned that formal manners are usually saved for people one doesn’t know well.

Michelle Obama shared that both of her parents had a playful side. She recalled a phase when her mother would suddenly jump out and scare her and her siblings when they were little. It started as harmless fun, but gradually became more intense and strange.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback