Hey there. I'm Elle!

I empower individuals to achieve their highest potential in health, confidence, success, and wisdom.

The Early Years

1973 - 1991

I was born and raised in the vibrant and culturally rich city of downtown Chicago, where I lived until embarking on my college journey.

University of California, Santa Cruz

1991 - 1995

I began my studies at Butler University in Indiana before transferring to the University of California, Santa Cruz, where I earned a degree in Philosophy.

Corporate Technology

1995 - 1998

After graduation, I moved to San Francisco with ambitious plans to create wealth and retire young. By the age of 22, I was well on my way as a top technology recruiter in Silicon Valley during the tech boom. I generated over $2 million in annual revenue and managed over 100 consultants across California for major clients such as Charles Schwab, Wells Fargo Bank, and AT&T.

Permanent Hand Disability

March 1997

My promising corporate career took an unexpected turn when I developed a repetitive strain injury in my hands and arms, leading to a 40% disability rating by the state of California and forcing me to leave my high-earning job.

This injury, along with the shame of having a physical disability and fears about financial stability, severely impacted my confidence and self-esteem. Faced with this challenge, I knew I had to find a new way to support myself without relying on my hands.

This led me to pursue acting and voice-over work. Despite my disability making me unemployable 99.9% of all professions, I pursued my passions and ultimately transformed them into paid careers.

TV-Film & Sketch Comedy

1998 and on...

When my hands and arms were disabled, I didn't let that hold me back. Without the existence of social media or podcasts back in 1998, I pursued a career in voice-over and acting, which seemed the most viable option given my hand and arm disability.

I made a bold move to get classically trained, enrolling at the prestigious American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. After honing my skills, I returned to my hometown of Chicago and began writing and performing sketch comedy at The Second City - Chicago, one of the most renowned comedy theaters in the world.

My journey didn't stop there. After a two-year stint in Chicago I moved back to California, but this time to Los Angeles in order to advance my TV- Film career while attending The Second City - Los Angeles. I eventually found my comedy home at ACME Comedy Theater in Hollywood, where I performed in over 100 sketch comedy and improv shows. Pursuing my passion for writing, I penned the screenplay for the award-winning documentary HeadHunt Revisited.

Thyroid Issues

2004 - 2012

While pursuing a TV and film career, I became severely hypothyroid, a struggle shared by millions. Even in a major city like Los Angeles, California, I faced the challenge of finding a doctor or endocrinologist who could effectively address my condition. No one could help me!

As my health worsened with over 30 debilitating symptoms, I decided to take matters into my own hands, rejecting the ineffective mainstream medical approach.

I became my own doctor and advocate, ordering lab work and tackling the task of fixing my condition myself. It worked! Not only did I heal myself from two separate bouts of hypothyroidism in a deacde - I also wrote the #1 bestselling book, The Paleo Thyroid Solution, to prevent others from enduring a similar ordeal.

Furthermore, I created The Ultimate Thyroid Course, the most comprehensive thyroid resource available, to help others understand and effectively address their thyroid issues, ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to advocate for their well-being.

My Journey with Mark Sisson: A Decade of Mentorship & Transformation

2012 - 2021

In 2012, I began working for Mark Sisson, a relationship that blossomed into an extraordinary 10-year mentorship. Mark is not just the #1 bestselling author of The Primal Blueprint and the New York Times bestseller The Keto Reset Diet; he’s a trailblazer in the primal-paleo health movement. He founded Primal Kitchen Foods, which sold to Kraft-Heinz for over $200 million, and recently launched Peluva, a minimalist footwear company.

Mark Sisson, often hailed as the OG of primal-paleo health, has transformed millions of lives worldwide, including mine. His vision led to the creation of the Primal Health Coach Institute, and in 2014, I had the honor of being the 5th person globally certified as a Primal Health Coach.

Beyond my certification, Mark played a pivotal role in my writing journey, publishing my book The Paleo Thyroid Solution. He also entrusted me with hosting his Primal Blueprint Podcast. *Though the show is now archived, you can still access past episodes by visiting the PODCAST tab on my website.

Mark’s mentorship has been instrumental in shaping my career and my life, providing me with invaluable knowledge, opportunities, and a platform to share my passion for health, wellness, and confidence with the world.

#1 Bestselling Author & Writer

1999 - Present

My journey into writing began in 1999 on the famous stages of The Second City Chicago and later at ACME Comedy Theatre in Los Angeles, where I wrote and performed sketch comedy and improv for a decade. From there I transitioned into tv-film writing, earning accolades as the screenwriter behind the award-winning documentary, Headhunt Revisited. I eventually delved into the realm of books and became a #1 bestselling author.

During my struggles with hypothyroidism - unable to find a doctor to help me, I became my own health advocate, ordering lab work and tackling the task of fixing my hypothyroidism on my own. My efforts were successful!

Not only did I heal myself, but I also wrote the #1 bestselling book, The Paleo Thyroid Solution, to help others avoid similar struggles (translated into German, Polish, and Hungarian). A few years later I wrote Confident As Fu*k and also created a masterclass and an online course around this topic.

The deepest dive on thyroid health is my Ultimate Thyroid Course, the most comprehensive thyroid healing program available. My course helps patients and medical practitioners understand and effectively address thyroid issues.

Podcasting & Public Speaking

2016 - Present

I am a seasoned interviewer and public speaker - I've been a featured speaker in over 30 virtual and in-person events.

For seven years, I hosted the popular Primal Blueprint Podcast on behalf of my mentor Mark Sisson, producing over 500 episodes and garnering 20 million downloads.

In 2021, I launched The Elle Russ Show, a weekly podcast designed to inspire, educate, and motivate listeners through guest interviews and solo episodes.

I have been interviewed on several popular shows such as Health Theory, Women of Impact, and Terri Cole Podcast, as well as featured in many online summits and prestigious publications.

Coach & Entrepreneur

10 + years

As a thyroid expert, I privately coach clients all over the world to solve their thyroid issues, and I offer a self-paced thyroid masterclass and an online thyroid course.

As a confidence and life coach - I empower women who are fueled by a passion to achieve remarkable success...through confidence, intention, and action.

Throughout many years of coaching, I have had the privilege of successfully coaching a diverse range of clients, including high-achieving entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals, corporate professionals, celebrities, dedicated stay-at-home parents, professional athletes, as well as authors and coaches. My clients have spanned a wide age range, from 18 to 74 years old.

Life in Southern California

2000 - Present

I live, work, and play in the mountains above Malibu, California - in Agoura Hills. In my free time, you can find me hiking, reading, swimming, watching comedy, frolicking in nature - or snuggling at home with my fiancé and our dog.