U.S. Paralympic Gold Medalist Noah Elliott on How Prioritizing Sleep Helps Him Crush the Competition

Noah Elliott is a two-time U.S. Paralympian and Paralympic Medalist, having won a gold medal in banked slalom and a bronze medal in snowboard cross at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. 

He first learned about Para snowboarding through a camp he attended for children with cancer—and he was motivated early on to pursue a professional athletic career by the U.S. Paralympian Brenna Huckaby. 

“Brenna has inspired my career from the beginning,” shares Elliott. “She was a great cancer mentor to me when I was finishing up my treatment and helped to answer all the questions I had about becoming an amputee as well as how to get into Para snowboarding.” 

Elliott adds that “it’s been incredible to now share the journey and travel the world cheering each other on.” The two now spend a lot of time on the road together, and “she has become like a sister to me,” he says. “We share a lot of stories and experiences that I believe help both of us.” 

Something both Huckaby and Elliott know well? That a good night’s sleep can have a positive impact on training and race day outcomes. “Getting a good night’s rest is key when it comes to mental clarity and energy for a race day or a training day,” he notes. 

We chatted with Elliott, a Saatva ambassador, to learn more about what his nighttime routine and sleep setup look like, how he deals with jet lag when traveling for competition, and more. 

Noah Elliott’s top sleep tips

1. Have a wind-down routine

After a long day of training or competing, Elliott makes sure to carve out time for relaxation before bed. “After a long day, I love to read a book and take time to reflect on my day or week,” he says. “Sometimes, I goal-set during these times.” 

2. Create a peaceful bedroom setup

“I love having a peaceful environment and creating an outdoor living inside,” says Elliott. So, he has both house plants and home aquariums in his bedroom to promote peace and calm inside. “One of the aquariums sits next to the foot of my bed,” he says. “This helps me always to take that time to watch the fish and rest.” 

“After a long day, I love to read a book and take time to reflect on my day or week. Sometimes, I goal-set during these times.” – Noah Elliott

3. Combat jet lag strategically

When it comes to sleeping while traveling, jet lag is the biggest factor for Elliott. “I usually set the goal of having a coffee once I arrive at my new destination,” he says. “If there’s a chance, I’ll use the bicycle in the gym or go for a walk to help my body get moving and start the acclimation process.” 

Elliott adds that he often has a second coffee in the afternoon to try to stay awake so he can get a full night’s rest. And because he often shares a hotel room with other teammates while on the road, he makes sure to unpack his suitcase to make the room feel more comfortable. 

4. Pack sleep essentials for plane rides

Elliott notes most of his major World Cup competitions are across seas in Europe, which is a long way from North America. He packs a few key essentials for these long plane rides to make it easier to snooze. 

“I make sure to always travel with a neck pillow, compression socks, and noise-canceling headphones to help sleep during these travels,” says Elliott.

Next, learn about how Saatva is supporting Team USA’s sleep and restoration.