Fans were first introduced to Michelle Young as a contestant on season 25 of “The Bachelor,” vying for Matt James, ultimately placing as a runner-up. The teacher from Edina, Minnesota, was then announced as the next “The Bachelorette” for season 18, accepting a proposal from contestant Nayte Olukoya, before the couple officially split in 2022, just six months after their engagement aired.
Young has since found love outside of reality TV and married Jack Leius back in her home state in June 2025. As she documented her honeymoon in Italy with her fans on social media, she announced that they had to cut the trip short due to serious health concerns. The reality star soon revealed that she was battling a scary chronic illness due to severe exposure to mold and mycotoxins.
Recently, Young provided fans with a “disheartening” update on her health as she continues treatment and hopes to get her health back on track.
Michelle Young Shares Update With Fans After Battling Illness Caused by Severe Exposure to Mold
GettyFormer “The Bachelorette” star Michelle Young is offering fans a much-needed update on her health after she revealed in November 2025 that she was battling a chronic illness after being severely exposed to mold, which took an extreme toll on her both physically and mentally.
According to Bachelor Nation, Young took to Instagram Stories in March to share that she continues to navigate her chronic illness, calling it both “frustrating and disheartening.”
“I know there’s been a lot of people who have asked for a health update recently, and I’ve wanted to give one but I have had a hard time showing up to social media lately. Because I feel like I should only post positive things, I don’t know where that comes from, but dealing with a chronic illness a lot of the days I haven’t felt very positive,” she began.
“And it’s been just really frustrating. Right now I’m currently struggling with grieving the life that I used to have or the energy that I used to have. It’s just so frustrating and disheartening at times,” she continued.
Young went on to share that her husband, Jack Leius, has been extremely supportive: “Definitely not how I wanted to spend my first year of marriage but we really said ‘in sickness and in health’ and I said, ‘Prove it!’ Which he’s passing with flying colors.”
She also thanked her followers for “constantly checking in,” adding, “They are genuinely what get me through a lot of days.”
She ended her update by asking her followers to check in on their friends who may also be going through the same health battles. ““Will fill y’all in soon since there’s been a lot of updates but my brain and energy aren’t working well so today is not the day 🫠 Also, reminder to check in with your friends or loved ones who are dealing with a chronic illness. There’s a lot of silent battles that can feel incredibly lonely (even when there is a support system) and a simple text goes a long way ♥️.”
Young First Believed Her Symptoms Were Caused by Stress
According to Us Weekly, Young had shared on Instagram Stories in November 2025 that she and her husband had to cut their honeymoon “seven days early” because her “health couldn’t keep up.”
She then revealed some of her concerning symptoms: “For the last eight months to a year, I’ve been battling with extreme fatigue, brain fog, panic attacks, heart palpitations, hypoglycemia and POTs-like symptoms.”
Young believed that what she was experiencing was due to “stress and anxiety with the wedding” after the “test came back normal.” However, after continuing to struggle with the same symptoms, she revealed that after taking a Mycotoxin and Mold test, she was “SEVERELY exposed.”
Young added that she had been doing several treatments to get her health back on track, including “an intense detox, along with many medications and IV therapy to help my body get rid of everything.” The former Bachelorette also shared that she and her husband moved, making sure their new residence “was safe” and no mold was detected.
In late November, Young shared photos from the days she and Leius spent in Itay. The reality star shared in her caption that she hoped the two would have a “honeymoon redo” this year.
“Wasn’t a honeymoon filled with perfect pictures or perfect moments with my health not holding up. But it has shown me that I chose the perfect person who will always be there to help me get through it all 🫶🏾 Love you @jackleius 🫶🏾 Italy 2026 is sounding like a good time for a honeymoon redo ❤️,” she wrote.
