
We are incredibly proud to have Els Visser as one of our esteemed Ride Leaders. Els embodies everything we stand for: strength, resilience, and the drive to push boundaries.
Her journey from a shipwreck survivor to an IRONMAN Champion and doctor is a story that continues to inspire women all over the world.
With her, we don’t just ride. We grow, we learn, and we conquer challenges together.

A JOURNEY OF
STRENGTH
AND COURAGE
Els' story is one of determination and extraordinary courage. A proud Dutch woman, Els enjoyed various sports growing up, but it wasn’t until she fully committed to her medicine studies in 2008 that she began focusing on her academic path. Despite the intense academic pressure, she balanced her time by staying connected with a broad social network and developing leadership skills as a chairperson for her student sorority.
However, it was 2014 that changed Els’ life forever. While traveling in Indonesia, a boat she was on sank with 24 other passengers, and after clinging to the wreckage, she swam for eight hours to a nearby deserted island, eventually being rescued. This experience gave Els a new perspective on life, pushing her to take on new challenges and chase her dreams with no hesitation.
Els’ story is one of determination and resilience. A proud Dutch woman, she pursued medicine with focus while staying socially engaged and developing leadership as a student sorority chair.
In 2014, her life changed dramatically when she survived a boat accident in Indonesia, swimming eight hours to safety. That experience gave her a renewed perspective on life — inspiring her to embrace challenges and follow her dreams without hesitation.


FROM
SURVIVOR TO
IRONMAN
CHAMPION
Following this life-changing event, Els knew she had to push her body and mind to new heights. She set a personal challenge: to race in an IRONMAN. Els entered her first triathlon in 2016 and went on to compete in her first IRONMAN race in 2017. By 2018, Els won her first IRONMAN Championship in Maastricht, Netherlands, just a year after officially entering the professional triathlon rankings.
Her journey as an elite athlete took her to the World Championship IRONMAN in Kona in 2019, where she finished 16th in the professional field. It is a remarkable achievement considering it had only been three years since her first race.
Now Els is a world-class athlete, winning multiple IRONMAN Championships and continuously climbing the podium in races. Her ultimate goal is to finish on the Kona podium, and we are cheering her on every step of the way.
After surviving a life-changing event, Els set herself an extraordinary goal: to compete in an IRONMAN. She entered her first triathlon in 2016 and completed her first IRONMAN in 2017. Just a year later, she won her first IRONMAN Championship in Maastricht and officially joined the professional ranks.
In 2019, Els competed at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona and finished 16th among the world’s best. This was an impressive achievement, given it had only been three years since her first race. Now a multiple IRONMAN champion, Els continues to pursue her dream of standing on the Kona podium, and we are proud to support her journey.


DOCTOR AND
ADVOCATE
FOR HEALTHIER LIVES
Outside of her athletic career, Els is equally committed to improving the health of individuals and communities. As a doctor with a PhD in Surgery, Els realized that her true passion lay not just in treating patients, but in preventing the need for treatment. She has shifted her focus to promoting an active, healthy lifestyle for all—using her unique perspective as both a doctor and an athlete to inspire positive change.
In 2021, Els co-founded Open Up, a company dedicated to motivating people to stay fit and vital, believing that fitness is a key ingredient for happiness. Through this mission, she continues to educate and encourage others to live healthy, fulfilling lives, and we at Jelenew are proud to support her in this journey.
Outside of competition, Els is deeply committed to advancing health and well-being. With a PhD in Surgery, she shifted her focus from treatment to prevention, using her dual perspective as a doctor and athlete to promote active, healthy living.
In 2021, she co-founded Open Up to inspire people to stay fit and energized, believing that movement is essential to happiness. At Jelenew, we’re proud to support her mission to create lasting impact beyond the finish line.


A JOURNEY
WE’RE PROUD TO SHARE
Jelenew is proud to stand alongside Els Visser. We see Els as not just an athlete but a true ambassador for what our brand stands for. Her courage, resilience, and passion mirror the very spirit we want to instill in all women riders. Together, we are creating a community that inspires women to chase their dreams, push their limits, and embrace their strength whether on the bike or in life.
Her story is a testament to the power of never giving up, and her journey motivates us to continue breaking barriers, setting new goals, and inspiring each other.




2024
14/12 – 17th place – IRONMAN World Championships 70.3 Taupo
1/12 – 6th place – IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia
10/11 – 2nd place – Challenge Xiamen
22/09 – DNF – IRONMAN World Championships Nice
01/09 – 5th place – IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See
25/08 – 10th place – IRONMAN 70.3 Tallinn
14/07 – 2nd place – IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz
07/07 – 3rd place – Challenge Roth – Dutch Record 08:24:47
02/06 – 5th place – IRONMAN European Championships Hamburg
19/05 – 5th place – Challenge “The Championship” Samorin
27/04 – 1st place – Challenge Taiwan Half
21/04 – 1st place – IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines
13/04 – 3rd place – T100 Singapore
02/03 – 2nd place – IRONMAN New Zealand
17/02 – 1st place – Challenge Wanaka
20/01 – 3rd place – Tauranga Half
2023
03/12 – 4th place – IRONMAN Western Australia
26/11 – 1st place – Challenge Canberra
14/10 – 15th place – IRONMAN World Championships Kona 09/09 – 1st place – European Championships Challenge Almere 19/08 – 17th place – PTO Asian Open
06/08 – 3rd place – Challenge London
16/07 – 3rd place – IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz
02/07 – 4th place – Challenge Walchsee
21/05 – 9th place – IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau
06/05 – 22th place – PTO European Open
04/03 – 1st place – IRONMAN New Zealand
18/02 – 2nd place – Challenge Wanaka

ELS VISSER'S
APPROACH TO TRIATHLON
PREPARATION
Els Visser’s triathlon preparation is a blend of structured training, intuitive listening to her body, and a focus on mental resilience. She trains seven days a week, often engaging in three sessions per day. Her regimen includes swimming, cycling, and running, with a strong emphasis on building both endurance and strength.
A key aspect of her approach is tuning into her body’s signals rather than strictly adhering to predetermined metrics like heart rate or power output. This flexibility allows her to adjust the intensity of her training based on how she feels, promoting long-term consistency and performance.
Recovery is also integral to Visser’s preparation. She emphasizes the importance of adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and active recovery to maintain peak performance. Her diet is varied and carefully balanced to meet the nutritional demands of her rigorous training schedule.
Mental strength is another cornerstone of her training. Els understands the psychological challenges that come with long races and focuses on maintaining a positive mindset to overcome moments of doubt and fatigue. This psychological endurance is crucial for success in triathlon competitions.
Els Visser’s triathlon training is a powerful mix of structure, self-awareness, and mental strength. She trains daily with three sessions that include swimming, cycling, and running, focusing equally on endurance and strength.
Rather than rely solely on metrics, Els listens to her body, adjusting intensity based on how she feels. Recovery is just as vital, with sleep, nutrition, and active rest all playing key roles in her performance.
Mental resilience is at the heart of her success. By staying focused and positive through challenges, Els proves that true strength comes from both the body and the mind.

KIDS' TRIATHLON:
INSPIRING THE NEXT
GENERATION
To inspire the next generation, Els supported the Kindertriathlon Leidsche Rijn 2023, a fun event for kids aged 5–13. She gave the start signal, cheered at the finish line, handed out medals, and took photos with the participants.
Els also visits local schools to encourage children to embrace an active lifestyle. Her energy and involvement help kids discover the joy of sports and the value of staying healthy for life.


IMPRESSION
OF JELENEW
“What impresses me most about Jelenew is its unique blend of high fashion and professional cycling wear, designed specifically for women. The brand not only delivers performance-driven and elegant apparel but also builds a strong sense of community through the Jelenew Women initiative. This community promotes healthy lifestyles and encourages women to ride together, fostering support, confidence, and empowerment through sport.
Their focus on tailored design, innovative materials, and female-driven values sets them apart in the industry. Jelenew is more than just a brand—it’s a movement reshaping women’s sportswear and lifestyle.”

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Marion Clignet
Co-founder of Jelenew