About Elle Russ
Author • Speaker • TV Comedy Creator & Writer
Elle Russ is the #1 bestselling author of The Paleo Thyroid Solution and Confident As Fu*k, the screenwriter of the award-winning documentary film Headhunt Revisited, and a television comedy creator and writer with multiple original scripted projects.
Elle has been featured in Entrepreneur, Success Magazine, Podcasting Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, HuffPost, MindBodyGreen, NBC, and more.
From Corporate To CreativeÂ
Fresh out of college, I built a successful career as a top technical recruiter during the Silicon Valley tech boom, managing multiple Fortune 500 accounts and generating millions in revenue. That chapter ended abruptly when a repetitive strain injury resulted in a permanent hand and arm disability. California classified me as 40% disabled, effectively closing the door on most careers due to the inability to use my hands 8 hours a day.
I still had my voice, so I shifted into performance and writing - training at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater (ACT), training and performing at Chicago’s The Second City, and later becoming a mainstage performer at ACME Comedy Theatre in Hollywood. I wrote and performed in over 100 sketch comedy and improv shows, acted in television and film, and wrote the award-winning documentary Headhunt Revisited. Comedy, performance, and story structure became my new path. My writing portfolio includes a variety of high-concept, character-driven sitcoms and films, and over 100 comedy sketches.Â
Author &Â Coach
In 2004, severe hypothyroidism upended my health, leaving me with more than 30 debilitating symptoms and zero support or help from conventional medicine. I immersed myself in research, self-experimentation, and recovery- an experience that informed my work as an author and educator.
I wrote the #1 bestselling book The Paleo Thyroid Solution (2016), followed by Confident As Fu*k (2018), and created The Ultimate Thyroid Course, the most comprehensive thyroid education available with several MDs as students. I also coach clients globally and offer an all-inclusive Thyroid Care Rx telemedicine program for residents of the USA and Canada. An updated and expanded version of my thyroid book will be published in 2026.
Coaching & Thought LeadershipÂ
In 2012, Mark Sisson invited me to join his company, The Primal Blueprint (which became Primal Kitchen Foods), where for nearly a decade I helped shape the paleo and ancestral health movement.
With over 2,500 coaching hours and a background in philosophy, public speaking, teaching and health education, my work centers on reframing limitations, examining belief systems - helping people reclaim their health and get creative projects finished.
Comedy Writer/Performer
From The Second City, Chicago to ACME Comedy Theatre in Hollywood -Â IÂ wrote and performed in over 100 live sketch comedy and improv shows. My writing portfolio includes a variety of high-concept, character-driven sitcoms and films, and over 100 comedy sketches. View my IMDB profile HERE
 Life Outside of Career
In my free time, you’ll find me hiking the Santa Monica Mountains, enjoying the beaches of Malibu, watching comedy, or hanging with my friends. I live with my wonderful husband, our teenage son, and our beloved dog, Cray.
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.”
Cynthia Thurlow
Author and Menopause Expert
"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 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."
Mark Sisson
NYT Bestselling Author & Founder of Primal Kitchen Foods
"Elle has framed her professional life into one dedicated to helping others—both healing the 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. 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
"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."
Dave Asprey
NYT Bestselling Author & Founder of Bulletproof
"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. 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."
Holly Perkins
Author & Fitness/Nutrition Expert
“Elle was truly intrumental when I felt like my world was falling apart and I didn’t even know where to start - I had a number of conversations with Elle that really turned things around for me.”
Ben Greenfield
NYT Bestselling Author
"The most impressive thing about Elle Russ' approach to thyroid conditions is that she speaks from a realm of deep experience and with a voice that truly and obviously reflects her own experiences and her subsequent care and empathy for others who are struggling with thyroid issues. She is someone who has been in the trenches and is able to offer practical, useful and proven tips you can easily implement."
Ashleigh VanHouton
Author Of Cookbooks: It Takes Guts and Carnivore-ish
“I've personally watched Elle transform so many people's lives in such a powerful way. She's often the first person I go to for advice, whether it's about health or life (check out her book, Confident as Fu*k, if you want to learn more about the latter). Elle is exactly the person you want to have on your team as you navigate the world of thyroid health, and honestly, crushing life in general."
Robb Wolf
NYT Bestselling Author
"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. Elle Russ has put together amazing resources for you. Whether you are a clinician or just a health-conscious consumer, there is so much for you to learn from Elle."
