CUSTOM CYCLING COACHING FOR 40+ WOMEN
Ready for answers instead of more frustration?
Your best cycling is ahead. Promise.
DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
Feeling deeply exhausted and wired at the same time, still lying awake at night wondering what is wrong with my body and why can’t I recover the way I used to?
Frustrated that you don’t actually know how to train anymore because the strategies that always worked before, like riding longer and harder are now backfiring, leaving you feeling slow, demoralized, and too tired to even enjoy the bike?
Overwhelmed with how to balance cycling, strength, and recovery? Afraid of “getting bulky,” gaining weight, or slowly getting weaker and slower until quitting feels inevitable?
You’re not alone.
With the right training plan, 40+ women cyclists CAN ride faster and adventure farther, without the exhaustion. AND, we won’t spend all day on the bike or in the gym anymore.
Are you ready to train in a way you can brag about?
Imagine stepping onto the podium at your next event, filled with happiness and beaming with pride.
That feeling of elation because you were the first up every hill, you followed the fueling plan and felt strong and energetic through the entire ride.
Because you didn’t give up, and you stuck to your pacing plan, you reeled in all the other riders in front of you by the finish.
I don’t just write training plans.
I care about you, the whole athlete-woman-human. This is your time, right now, to ride stronger than ever.
CUSTOM CYCLING COACHING
Level Up 1:1
Fully tailored cycling coaching helping you achieve your DREAM cycling goals like riding faster, adventuring farther without spending all day on your bike or in the gym.
1:1 Coaching with Marissa
YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE
Get a monthly 1:1 coaching session with Marissa, plus weekly feedback and ongoing in-app communication.
Follow Your Personalized Program
NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL PROGRAM
Follow your fully customized program (cycling, lifting weights, and recovery), based on your personal goals.
Fuel Properly with the Right Foods at the Right Time
FUEL YOUR BODY, POWER YOUR RIDE
Nutrition strategies designed for your body now—fueling for rides, recovery, and long-term strength.
>> WHAT’S INCLUDED
Custom training plan + daily workout delivery
Premium TrainingPeaks app membership
Weekly data analysis + communication
Twice-monthly plan adjustments
Monthly 30-minute 1:1 coaching call
Full resource library
>> HOW IT WORKS
Join and schedule your kickoff call
Get your personalized training plan
Train with clarity—no more guessing
Upload your rides for weekly analysis
Adjust and discuss progress together
>> PRICING
Invest in your best rides yet at $625/month with $100 start-up fee or $6,875 with 12-months paid-in-full. Get a free month with annual commitment.
Meet Your Coach
HI, I’M MARISSA!
I’m Marissa Axell, a USECA certified cycling coach and ACE certified personal trainer with nearly two decades of experience turning riders into faster, stronger cyclists.
Known for my inspirational and committed coaching style, I coach 40+ women cyclists to climb faster and adventure farther without feeling exhausted.
I’ve been featured on Bicycling.com, Self, as well as the Seasoned Athlete, and Hit Play Not Pause podcasts.
My athletes have won at TransRockies Gravel Royale, come in top 5 at the National Senior Games. I’ve helped athletes ride from Cairo to Capetown in the Tour d’Afrique; cycle from Paris to Istanbul; and set the Guinness Book of World Records for Oldest Woman to ride 18,100 miles around the world.
I'm based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I continue to coach and chase my own competitive cycling goals. Racing to the podium at national and world championships has shown me that strength training and cycling are the ultimate power couple that pave the way to success.
Now, I'm SO READY to help you discover that same power and success.
FEATURED IN
PUBLICATIONS + CONTRIBUTIONS:
A Cycling Coach Says You’re Probably Not Eating Enough. Here’s the Fueling Strategy That Works. Bicycling.com
From Quick Spins to Long Rides, These Warmup Strategies Set You Up for Success. Bicycling.com
How to Install Bike Cleats For Indoor Cycling, According to Fit Experts. Bicycling.com
6 HIIT Cycling Workouts You Can Do on Your Indoor Bike. Self.com
Roadie Revolution: The Stunning New Tech on Silicon Valley Bikes. The Information.com
EVERYONE BELONGS HERE
Riding Together:
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We believe that love is love, Black lives matter, trans-women are women and belong in sports, no human is illegal, the current administration should be in prison, and bikes are a form of therapy. We also express our sincere, long-term commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and anti-racism.
RIDER SUCCESS STORIES
Our Athletes
Donna Reid
LEVEL UP 1:1 CYCLING COACHING
"I felt a wonderful sense of camaraderie that I didn't expect... And the number of times I felt like a real badass this year was priceless!!...in short, it [coaching] works!"
DONNA’S STORY
Donna wasn't sure she was ready for a demanding multi-day gravel stage race in the Rockies when she started coaching 1:1 with Marissa.
She consistently followed her cycling plan and quickly set new PRs, more energy, resilience, and total confidence — even through a last-minute crash and recovery.
It works, she finished the season winning her race and feeling strong on every climb.
Alana Conner
LEVEL UP 1:1 CYCLING COACHING
”Big goals don’t require perfection, just consistently showing up and the right support!”
ALANA’S STORY
She once questioned whether she was even worthy of a coach.
Now she’s a Guinness World Record holder — the oldest woman to circumnavigate the world by bike.
Alana trained injury-free, set PRs, learned how to manage her body and mind, and built confidence one ride at a time with Level Up 1:1 Coaching.
Lisa Haley
LEVEL UP 1:1 CYCLING COACHING
“Marissa helped me believe I belong, and that confidence translated into real results.”
LISA’S STORY
From racing with self-doubt, to building enough confidence to line up at the FRONT, to top-5 finishes at the National Senior Games.
Lisa increased her FTP, stopped bonking, set new PRs, and gained the confidence to race at the front by trusting Marissa's coaching and the Level Up 1:1 Coaching process.
Ready for More Inspiration?
YOUR TIME IS NOW.
WOMEN’S CYCLING NEEDS YOU
Join our free Facebook community to connect with fellow women cyclists, share your journey, and get expert tips to help you ride stronger and more confidently.
WORKING WITH A CYCLING COACH
FAQs
Cycling coaching for 40+ women is full of terrible advice, so I’ve answered some of the most common questions I see. If you have questions I haven’t addressed, please reach out and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
How much does it cost to hire a cycling coach, and what’s included?
Coaching is $625/month or $6,875 for 12 months (one month free with a full-year commitment).
We work as a team. We clarify your goals, and account for your total allostatic load (training, work, family, hormones, and recovery) so you progress without burnout. Your cycling or triathlon training fits inside your life.
This is high-tough, high-level performance coaching for women over 40 who want to stay strong, healthy, and fast.
How much time do I need to train on my bike each week to make progress with my coaching?
It depends on your goals and current fitness. Athletes train anywhere from 6 to 15 hours per week.
You decide how much time you have. We train within those limits. Every workout has a purpose so you can get stronger and faster without overtraining.
There are so many cycling coaches out there—how do I know if someone is qualified to help me?
Interview them.
I bring 15+ years of coaching experience, credentials from United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy, nutrition certifications from ISSA, a personal training certification from ACE, and Menopause For Athletes training certification with Dr. Stacy Sims.
I specialize in coaching strong, driven women over 40 who want to keep progressing without sacrificing health or confidence.
Does a cycling coach help me incorporate off-the-bike training into my workouts?
Yes. All programs include on-bike training, strength work, recovery, and mobility, arranged to produce results quickly.
For women 40+, strength training is the foundation. We don’t pile on the volume anymore, instead we build muscle, power, and resilience.
Will I need to change my diet if I’m working with a professional cycling coach?
You’ll receive nutrition support focused on fueling for performance, especially around training.
The goal is better energy, faster recovery, muscle building, and consistency. This is not a weight-loss program—we prioritize fueling for hormone health, longevity, and performance.
Do I need an indoor cycling setup or a high-end bike to get professional cycling coaching? What equipment do I need?
No fancy setup required. You need a bike you love and that fits your body. If you’re dealing with pain, I recommend a professional bike fit (retul.com).
We do need training data. At minimum:
Bike
Cycling computer
Cadence sensor
Heart rate monitor
Smartphone or tablet for coaching delivery
Optional: an indoor trainer and virtual platform. Indoor riding helps during winter, heat, or poor air quality. Many athletes use Peloton during the week and ride outdoors on weekends with great success.
Ready to improve your cycling?
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