About Yanasi Endurance
Welcome to Yanasi Endurance. "Yanasi" is the Cherokee word for what European settlers called Buffalo. To native populations, the yanasi, was a sacred animal, held in the highest regard. It's said that yanasi, unlike other animals, will head directly into an oncoming storm. They know if they push into the storm and move through it, it shortens its exposure to hardship. I'm in awe of these majestic animals and their strength, especially in the face of adversity.
Today's modern world has removed a lot of the struggle that our ancestors faced. While we are blessed to live comfortable lives, it's not the recipe to leading a fulfilled life. Unlike our ancestors, we need to seek out challenges to satisfy that primal part of our brains. Pushing through these challenges help us evolve, become stronger, more resilient versions of ourselves and ultimately transforms us into the men and women we were meant to be.
There is beauty in standing on the start line, uncertain of the challenges ahead but knowing you, like the yanasi, have the strength to persevere.
Join me in running into the storm and emerging stronger on the other side.
Meet Coach Jay
My name is Jay Steinberg and I'm an endurance running coach. I started running in 2004, when a new girlfriend asked me to run a half marathon. Little did she know that one day she would be my wife and that I have a tendency to fully embrace my passions. While my life changed forever the day I finished that first half marathon, it was flipped upside down when I read Ultra Marathon Man by Dean Karnazes and I learned about ultra marathons. I'd found my calling in life. So much so, that I moved my wife and two young kids from central Indiana to the foothills of the Rockies in Colorado in 2015, with dreams of running "big mountain 100's".
In my 20 plus year "career" as an endurance athlete, I've completed countless half marathons, marathons, 50k and 50 mile races. I've raced my mountain bike in 50 and 100 mile events. I've raced and competed in full Ironman triathlons. I have eight 100 mile starts and seven finishes. I've taken on some of the toughest endurance challenges all while raising a family, being a husband and keeping up with a demanding executive level corporate career.
Running has taught me so much, including showing me I have a passion to help others, especially as it relates to fitness, health and helping others reach their goals. So, in 2020, I became a Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) certified running coach. Then in 2024, I realized another dream and was fortunate enough to step away from my corporate career to start Yanasi Endurance.
Youth Running
Most kids in Evergreen know me as "Coach Jay" and I really like that name! I've been lucky to coach my kids in many different sports. My son, like me, has fallen into love with running. This has given me the opportunity to coach young runners in my community. I am a volunteer coach for our middle school cross country and track team. I also coach for our local USA Track and Field youth running program.
I have a passion for coaching young runners because I believe running can change the world and what a better place to start than with our future generations. While running personal bests is rewarding for the athlete and for me as a coach, it's not necessarily my number one goal.
I want kids to be healthy, not only physically but mentally as well. As running strengthens their bodies, they will also become mentally strong. I want to teach my athletes the importance of setting goals, hard work and how to deal with failure. I want to instill a sense discipline, perseverance, mental toughness and self confidence. But most importantly, I want them to see that these attributes are not just important for running but also in life.