Fueling Passion and Performance: Meet Taylor Els, MSU Volleyball Coach and Runner

At Montana State University, Assistant Volleyball Coach Taylor Els brings unmatched energy, passion, and purpose to everything she does. From guiding student athletes on the court to crushing trail runs in the mountains of Bozeman. A former record-setting libero and now a key figure in Bobcat Volleyball’s success, Taylor embodies the strength and clarity that Eos Energy stands for.

Driven by Purpose, Powered by Passion Taylor's love for coaching runs deep. Inspired by her father, a lifelong college football coach, and her own transformative experience as a student athlete, she stepped into coaching to stay close to the world of competitive sports and to give back. “Once I graduated college, I wanted to continue to be a part of college athletics and loved the idea of being a part of something bigger than just myself” she says. “Coaching has checked all the boxes for me. I get to hang out with some awesome, fun athletes, I get to hopefully be a positive influence on their lives, and I get the competitive satisfaction of working together with a team to accomplish a common goal.”

As a player, Taylor was known for her high energy defense and leadership on the court. Now, she brings that same intensity to her coaching. “I am very passionate about defense and hope to instill this ‘never give up’ mindset into my athletes. I try to spend the time to really get to know our players and make sure they know we care about them no matter how they perform on the court.”

That people first approach has helped MSU athletes thrive, not just in their stats, but in their growth as teammates, leaders, and individuals. Taylor finds reward in playing a role in such a formative time in the players' lives.

From the Court to the Trails When she’s not on the court, you’ll probably find Taylor flying down a mountain trail. A dedicated runner, she aims to compete in one big race each year and recently completed the Boston Marathon in 2022, calling it “an incredible experience” with unforgettable energy from the cheering crowds.

“I love being outside and being in the incredible nature in and around Bozeman,” she says. “I love the feeling of flying downhill on a run. It makes me feel like a kid again.”

Taylor’s current goal? To run a 50 miler and eventually a 100 miler. She’s already conquered a 50K, proving she’s more than ready to go the distance.

Balancing Coaching, Racing, and Wellness With a packed coaching schedule, Taylor keeps things simple and intentional. She trains early in the morning, often running before the sun comes up, and squeezes in runs on the road during travel. “Running is great because all you need for supplies are shoes,” she says.

Her approach to wellness is grounded in balance and joy. “Right now, wellness means setting aside time for personal time, fueling my body with whole foods, moving my body, being outside, and being in community.”

Taylor’s favorite way to unwind? “A gallon of popcorn drenched in butter and an episode of Friends.”

Work with EOS Energy Taylor recently modeled for an EOS Energy campaign, not because she’s a professional model, but because she represents what EOS stands for: clean energy, natural strength, and authenticity.

“It was so fun,” she says. “I have zero natural ability to model, but I sure can run. Evan the photographer was awesome and so talented. He made it easy and comfortable.”

Taylor lives the EOS lifestyle every day, choosing clean energy, hydration, and movement to support her active life. Whether she’s coaching a match or logging miles on a mountain trail, she proves that high performance and wellness go hand in hand.

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