I first met Steve through his spin class, after several years of competing in sprint triathlons. The first class I took proved that I was in over my head, as my legs were shot after ten minutes and I had blown myself up. But I found Steve very easy to talk to and soon after, I developed a deep admiration and closeness that I will always carry.
Shortly after, with Steve’s encouragement, I signed up for the Ironman with Steve as my coach and mentor. His approach was very hands on, doing everything he asked of me himself. Never once did he doubt me and never allowed me to doubt myself.
He was there for all my milestones, my first 70 mile ride, century ride and even a 120 mile ride to Tucson. My swimming went from over a 2 minute hundred yard swim to a 1:30. I became such a strong swimmer from all the drills and group swimming that I finished the Ironman swim with a comfortable time of 1:06.
Steve coached me in 2015 through the Coeur d’Alene Marathon and Ironman Arizona. It was an amazing experience working with him. He listened to my fitness goals and tailored my training plan to help reach those goals. He is extremely responsive and has great access to a lot of resources and knowledge. I reached the Ironman starting line injury free and in peak fitness, thanks to Steve. I would recommend Steve as a coach to anyone looking to take their performance to the next level.
Tammy Stanley
Athlete / Mom of Professional Ballerina Audrey Stanley
“If you are thinking of hiring Steve Elwell for coaching, STOP whatever you’re doing and write him a check for whatever he’s requesting. You cannot out-give Steve Elwell! Whatever you pay him, he will out-give you. Guaranteed! There is no better coach than Steve. His knowledge, his passion, his Commitment to you is infinite. Whatever fitness level, determination determination level or obstacles in your way, THIS is THE COACH who can meet you wherever you are and coach you to a new level! He can do it in a group or one-on-one. I hired Steve to coach my professional Ballerina daughter - Audrey. She was one of 25 Ballerinas selected from 17 different countries to enter The New York International Ballet Contest. Within a 4-week period of time she need to reach an extremely high peak performance level and go from 15% body fat to 12%. The program that Steve put together was challenging even for Audrey who was used to 7-hour training days at the ballet school she attended. Steve knew exactly what diet she needed to follow, exactly what workouts she needed. Audrey reached an extremely high level of performance and her body fat dropped from 15% to 11% in four weeks! At the ballet contest in NY, I saw her give the most enchanting and artistic ballet performance I have ever seen. She was able to put all her focus into her art with no concern about the physical demands. Her body was in perfect condition. Steve Elwell is the coach that coached her supremely.”
When I started coaching with Steve I could not swim and I did not own a bike. Through the process of coaching he showed me the way across many Sprint, Olympic, Half and Full Ironman Finish Lines as well as multiple Crit and Road Race podium finishes. As a coach, Steve showed me a level of investment that I have never experienced before in my life. He believed in me, he encouraged me and he never let me quit on myself. He seemed to know just when I need a genuine word of love and encouragement and when I needed a firm kick in the ass. He saw ability in me that I did not see in myself. His heart was in my training as it is with all the athletes I have seen him work with. I valued the fact that he was committed to me as a person first and then as an athlete. But beyond that, I valued his unique ability to not sacrifice performance in that process. Throughout the year I trained with Steve for IMAZ, he never allowed for excuses though he refused to step in and rescue me by giving me the answers either. His commitment to my growth as a person was highly evident as well. He made sure I was doing my own thinking, I was learning how to read and respond to my own body’s unique and individual needs and that I was taking account for making my own decisions. Throughout that year our exchanges and experiences as coach and athlete have challenged me to observe and transcend many of life’s dualities. I have found a new level of integration in body, mind and spirit through our coaching experience. Steve has been more than a coach to me he has been a mentor, a guide, a father and a friend. His loyalty and commitment to me as a person and faith in my ability as an athlete make him a coach like no other in my eyes. Steve, from the deepest part of my heart, I thank you for all you have done for me and all that I watch you do for everyone else.
Laura Coleman Spencer
Ironman
Steve helped me achieve my goal of completing my first Ironman! He helped by motivating me, keeping me accountable and by listening to me. He helped me in every aspect of race prep, from race day nutrition and finding what works for me, everyday nutrition, gear bags, race strategy, and mentally rehearsing race day to feel comfortable with every aspect, to feel prepared, and to know how to deal with situations that are unplanned.
Steve is a personal coach. He is willing to listen, to give advice, and to find a path forward that makes you feel comfortable and confident (though he will push you out of your comfort zone!). Each workout has a goal, there is no blindly going through the motions, and he helps you find the best way to accomplish that goal. He is in daily contact, which helps tremendously when life comes up and training plans have to change. He helps modify the training when you are tired, sick, or feeling great! He is accessible, which is a huge plus when your attitude, motivation, and body/fatigue/health can change in Ironman training from day to day. Most importantly, I got the feeling that Steve genuinely cared about me, how I was doing and feeling, and my ultimate goal of becoming an Ironman. He was dedicated to make sure that I was prepared to get to the finish line and that I would enjoy my first Ironman. I would recommend Steve wholeheartedly as a triathlon coach. He helped me find my confidence, kept me positive, helped me discover the strength I have, and gave me the tools to succeed. I never felt like another athlete to him, I felt like Laura, the best athlete I could be.
