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. I was co-founder of the Speech & Debate Team, and served on the Judicial Review Board.
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.
I had my voice.
This led me to pursue acting and voice-over work. Despite my disability making me unemployable 99.9% of all professions, it forced me into pursuing 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 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 decade.
Years later I wrote the #1 bestselling book, The Paleo Thyroid Solution, and a few years beyond that, I created The Ultimate Thyroid Course, the most comprehensive thyroid resource available.
My Journey with Mark Sisson: A Decade of Mentorship & Transformation
2012 - 2021
In 2012, I began working for Mark Sisson and it 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, a primal-paleo-ancestral health expert, 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 certified as a Primal Health Coach.
Beyond my certification, Mark played a pivotal role in my writing journey, publishing my first book The Paleo Thyroid Solution. He also entrusted me with hosting his Primal Blueprint Podcast for many years. *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 professional 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, writing sitcom pilots and 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.
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. I have also been interviewed on a multitude of popular shows such as Health Theory, Women of Impact, and The Terri Cole Podcast, as well as featured in prestigious publications.
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 total downloads.
In 2021, I launched The Elle Russ Show, a weekly podcast designed to help listeners get healthy, wealthy, and wise through guest interviews and solo episodes.
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.
Mark Sisson
New York Times Bestselling Author & Founder of Primal Kitchen Foods & Peluva Footwear
"Elle has framed her professional life into one dedicated to helping others—both healing and nourishing the physical body and also nurturing the spirit. She will help you help yourself, but you are going to have to do the hard work and the deep reflection. Elle is not about subtlety, soft touches, or nuance. She is dedicated to excellence, transformation, and never looking back, feeling sorry for herself, or turning away from a challenge!"
Gabrielle Reece
Volleyball legend, New York Times Bestselling Author & Inspirational Health and Fitness Leader
"In the confusing world of health and nutrition, The Paleo Thyroid Solution offers simple and easy protocols that can have a great impact on one's journey to wellness."
Dr. Ken Berry, MD
Author of Lies My Doctor Told Me
"Elle Russ, although not a medical doctor, can school just about any doctor on thyroid issues. You would think endocrinologists would have the best understanding of thyroid conditions and medications, but quite often they seem to be the least informed. If you suffer from low thyroid symptoms, or suspect you do, even though your lab results are 'normal' – you need Elle's help."
Dave Asprey
New York Times bestselling author of The Bulletproof Diet and Headstrong
"After 20 years of hacking my own biology to gain more energy than I have ever had, and lose 100 pounds along the way, it's become clear that your thyroid is your body’s energy thermostat. Undiagnosed subclinical thyroid deficiency is a huge problem holding back tens of millions of people from becoming all they can be. Elle Russ has put the pieces together for you."
Cynthia Thurlow
Author of Intermittant Fasting Transformation
"Elle is a true thyroid advocate and is helping to empower patients to not accept the conventional perspectives on thyroid labs and health. Her book, The Paleo Thyroid Solution, was one of the first books that I read, as a clinician, that provided my patients with a resource that they could utilize to help create the wellness path they desired. I'm always learning from Elle and appreciate her endless desire to educate, and inspire patients to live their best lives."
Robb Wolf
New York Times Bestselling Author The Paleo Solution & Wired To Eat
"As a former research biochemist and someone who helps to manage an integrative medical clinic, I feel like I know a fair amount about the thyroid and health. Well, I know enough to recognize someone who leaves my knowledge base in the dust. Whether you are a clinician or just a health-conscious consumer, there is so much for you to learn from Elle."
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