Team MPI is thrilled to welcome professional triathlete and Paralympic guide Jillian Elliot to the coaching team! Jillian brings a wealth of experience racing around the world. During her professional career, she specialized in non-drafting Olympic distance races. Jillian enjoyed great success in the Lifetime Fitness Series and 5150 Series, qualifying for the prestigious Hy-Vee Triathlon from 2011 to 2014.
With an impressive resume of race results, Jillian ranked among the top 50 female triathletes in the world from 2009 to 2012 and helped the USA women earn a third spot at the 2012 London Olympic triathlon team.
After enjoying a decorated racing career, Jillian became a Paralympic guide for Liz Baker, going all the way to the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016 and the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2021.
“We are honored, excited, and humbled to have such a talented athlete and coach join our team,” Team MPI owner Mark Sortino exclaimed. “She brings a wealth of training and racing experience and pairs it with a true passion for seeing athletes learn, grow, and stay excited about their sport.”
“I am so excited to partner with athletes and empower them to thrive and accomplish their goals,” Jillian said. “I’m most passionate about coaching athletes who are hard-working and love to set goals and have fun striving to accomplish those goals.”
Jillian is the second coach with Paralympic experience to join the Team MPI Coaching staff. She joins Aaron Schiedies, a decorated Paratriathlon Olympian in the visually impaired category. Additionally, Team MPI coach Becky Piper is an experienced Paracycling athlete. Team MPI owner and coach Mark Sortino is a two-time Paralympic Coach for Team USA and continues to serve as a valued member of the USA Paratriathlon coaching staff.
“Team MPI strives to serve all athletes, including para-athletes, youth and junior, elite, and age-group athletes at every level. We hope that we will remain a leader in helping all athletes continue getting smarter, stronger, and faster,” Sortino added.
We took a bit of time to get to know Coach Jillian and ask all the really important questions you want to know!
What is one of your favorite memories, moments, or experiences from your years of racing?
Racing down the blue carpet as a guide for Liz Baker in Rio Paralympic Games 2016 and hearing the crowd cheering/ screaming for her.
What's one accomplishment you're most proud of or thankful for?
Having had the honor and opportunity to race with visually impaired triathlete Elizabeth Baker, as her guide. I learned a lot from her and she brought a different kind of fun to triathlon that I had not experienced before, racing as a team.
What is one aspect of coaching you're most excited about?
To meet new athletes that are excited to get out there and race.
Who would you say is your "ideal athlete" that you're really excited to coach?
Any athlete that is hard working and likes to have fun.
What's one thing you think athletes should know about you?
I have 3 kids, two of my fur-kids are 7 year old Vizslas named Jack (boy) and Ripley (girl). My first human boy Keaton was born December 2020. And one on the way, due July 2022.
What's your favorite beverage?
Beer but currently pregnant, with baby number 2 due July 2022. So I have taken to drinking whole milk that my one year has just started drinking in December and it’s amazing haha.
Coach Jillian is a professional triathlete who has competed at races around the world. She specialized in non-drafting Olympic distance races, specifically the Lifetime Fitness Series and 5150 series which qualified her for the prestigious Hy-Vee Triathlon from 2011-2014.