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 USAW 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. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏋🏿🏋🏾🏋🏽🏋🏼🏋🏻
My background includes weightlifting, powerlifting, Muay Thai, rugby, and Datura style dance.
Stay strong.
Coached Athlete Accomplishments
- 2026 Masters National Championships W60 86kg
- 🏅 National Champion
- Medals: 🥇 Snatch / 🥇 Clean & Jerk / 🥇 Total
- 📒 PNW Record Holder
- Records: Snatch / Clean & Jerk / Total
- 🏅 National Champion
Coaching Background
| 2026 Jan | — | USAW WSO Referee |
| 2025 Nov | — | Head Coach & Gym Manager at RCF Barbell SODO |
| USAW Club Director & Coach of Rain City Weightlifting Club | ||
| 2024 Oct | — | Coach at RCF Barbell SODO |
| 2024 Jul | — | Shadowing / assistant coaching |
| 2024 Apr | — | USAW Level 2 Coach |
| 2024 Mar | — | USAW Level 1 Coach |
| 2023 Nov | — | Weightlifting Coaches Project: LIVE |
| Wil Fleming of 1Kilo, USAW Senior International Coach | ||
| Greg Everett of Catalyst Athletics, USAW International Coach | ||
| Mike McKenna of McKenna's Gym, USAW National Coach | ||
| 2017 Mar | — | Began weightlifting training |