JESS

Run Coach
McMillian Coaching Certified
VDOT Certified
ISSA CSCS
UESCA Running Coach Certified
NASM Person Training Certified (with corrective exercise and women’s fitness specialty
7+ years coaching experience

I’m a coach based in the beautiful foothills of Western North Carolina, where I live with my three kids. My journey into running began in my late 20s, originally as a way to cope with the stress of motherhood. What started as a personal challenge became a passion after completing my first marathon at 27—a moment that set me on the path to coaching.

As a coach, I’ve guided athletes across distances from 5k to 100 miles, both on the road and the trails. I’ve seen firsthand how running can serve as a tool for healing, but I recognize that it’s not the only thing that can help us heal. For me, professional therapy was an essential part of overcoming cPTSD, and running has been a complementary tool in that journey—helping me feel stronger and more resilient.

I coach with a holistic approach, blending intuition with science-backed methods to guide athletes in developing strength, mental resilience, and confidence—on and off the trails. It’s about more than crossing a finish line; it’s about discovering joy in the journey, building mental and physical endurance, and growing stronger together.

Ultimately, it’s about learning to find your second wind—discovering that place where you can push through challenges and come out even stronger on the other side. 

RUNNING BIO:

  • 5K: 19:22

  • 10k: 40:38

  • Half Marathon: 1:28

  • Marathon: 3:14

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