About

Hello! I'm Elsa (she/her) ❤

I'm an Olympic weightlifting and strength coach.

I operate my coaching business Yay Strength out of RCF Barbell SODO in Seattle where I'm the Head Coach & Gym Manager, as well as Director & Coach of its USA Weightlifting affiliate Rain City Weightlifting Club. I'm a certified USA Weightlifting Level 2 coach.

Becoming strong and powerful is fun! I aim to make strength training and Olympic weightlifting approachable, welcoming, and fulfilling for people of all experience levels and abilities. I especially love working with beginners, and invite those who are interested in lifting but haven’t yet begun to join the strength community through classes, individual coaching, or events.

My coaching supports the many values that training may contain, including mental and physical wellbeing, empowerment, achievement, recreation, and community.

I proudly provide inclusive and safe training environments. BIPOC, female, trans, non-binary, gender expansive, queer/LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and disabled folks are especially invited and welcome. Let me know of any accommodations that would better support you. Strength is for bodies of all abilities and sizes. Everyone training with me must adhere to the RCF Community Agreement (scroll down the linked page). 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏋🏿🏋🏾🏋🏽🏋🏼🏋🏻

My background includes weightlifting, powerlifting, Muay Thai, rugby, and Datura style dance.

Stay strong.

2019 profile in GeekWire

Coach Elsa's training log

RCF Barbell SODO

Coach Elsa & Yay Strength operates within the gym RCF Barbell SODO in Seattle.

You can train with Coach Elsa at RCF Barbell SODO as a guest, without being a member of the gym. (Becoming a gym member is always encouraged. Ask about getting 50% off your first month!)

Both gym guests and members must adhere to the RCF Community Agreement (scroll down the linked page).

Elsa is Head Coach & Gym Manager at RCF Barbell SODO.

Rain City Weightlifting Club

Coach Elsa & Yay Strength operates the USA Weightlifting affiliated club Rain City Weightlifting Club within the gym RCF Barbell SODO in Seattle.

The quarterly weightlifting meets hosted by Rain City Weightlifting happen at RCF Barbell SODO and are open to everyone.

Athletes lifting at USA Weightlifting sanctioned competitions with Coach Elsa may join Rain City Weightlifting Club.
NOTE: Confusingly, there is another local USA Weightlifting club based in Tacoma called "RCF Weightlifting Club" that is unrelated to the Rain City Fit community.

Elsa is the Director & Coach of Rain City Weightlifting Club, a USA Weightlifting certified Level 2 coach, and (WSO) referee.

Coached Athlete Accomplishments

• 2026 USA Weightlifting Masters National Championships
  • W60 86kg
    • 🏅 National Champion — Medals: 🥇 Snatch / 🥇 Clean & Jerk / 🥇 Total
    • 📒 PNW Record Holder — Records: Snatch / Clean & Jerk / Total