About Jessica Turanec
Jessica, a professional triathlete, triathlon coach, and business owner, originally from Kelowna, BC, and now based in Ottawa, embodies resilience, determination, and an unshakable passion for challenges. She has not only built herself up as an athlete but also as an entrepreneur, experiencing both the struggles of business failure and the pride of bouncing back stronger. Today, she owns and operates Elevate Spin, a thriving spin studio in Ottawa, where her love for fitness and community has created a space that inspires others to push beyond their limits.
Her story is one of starting from the bottom and climbing her way up, setback after setback, and always bouncing back stronger. At age 12, she underwent life-changing back surgery for scoliosis and was told she’d never run or play sports again. Instead, she defied the odds, proving not only that she could return to sport, but that she could compete at the highest level.
Jessica’s inspiration grew from her late twin sister Michele’s fight against stage 4 malignant melanoma. Just days after completing her first major cycling event, the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a 260km fundraiser, Jessica experienced the devastating loss of Michele. That moment became the fuel behind her commitment to endurance sports and living fully for both of them.
Over the years, Jessica has faced injuries, business challenges, and personal setbacks, but each time, she rebuilt, came back stronger, and kept moving forward. From conquering iconic hikes like Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Machu Picchu, and the West Coast Trail, to racing triathlons across North America & Europe, her path has been about perseverance and proving what’s possible.
Since her first triathlon in Kelowna in 2011, Jessica has built a career defined by grit and growth. Highlights include winning Ironman 70.3 Western Massachusetts in 2023 and stepping into the professional field in 2024. While her first pro season came with challenges, it also sharpened her perspective and deepened her commitment to helping others achieve their goals.
Now, as a coach, Jessica brings her lived experience, overcoming obstacles, working through injuries, experiencing business setbacks, and building herself from the ground up, into every athlete’s journey. She coaches athletes of all levels, based anywhere in the world, and is here not only to guide the physical training, but also to talk you through the tough moments, help you unlock your resilience, and show you what’s possible when you don’t give up.
Jessica’s story is proof that setbacks don’t define you, they prepare you. And with her as your coach, you’ll have someone in your corner who truly knows what it takes to rise again and again.