Meet Troy Alston

We were lucky to catch up with Troy Alston recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Troy , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Being the only one in the room has never been something I’ve tried to fight, it’s something I’ve learned to understand and use to my advantage.

Early on, I realized I couldn’t rely on recognition or validation to measure my progress. In a lot of spaces, especially in a niche sport like stair climbing, your work can go unnoticed if it doesn’t fit what people expect. So I shifted my focus to what I could control: consistency, preparation, and results.

Over time, I built confidence in my body of work. When you’ve put in the years, shown up repeatedly, and produced results across different environments, you don’t walk into a room trying to prove you belong, you walk in knowing you’ve earned your place.

There’s also a reality that comes with being one of the few or sometimes the only person in that position. At times, I’ve seen my accomplishments questioned, overlooked, or downplayed. Showing up and having an off day often feels like it carries more weight, where there’s an expectation to be nearly perfect every time. Early on, that can be frustrating, but I’ve learned not to internalize it. Instead, I’ve used it as fuel to stay focused and continue building something that speaks for itself over time. That approach has allowed me to reach a level of performance where I’m now a two-time World Record holder, with more work already in motion.

I’ve also learned that being different gives you perspective. You notice things others might overlook, and you’re forced to develop a level of discipline and self-reliance that becomes a strength over time.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a competitive stair climber and endurance athlete, and over the past 15 years I’ve built a career centered around consistency, discipline, and long-term performance. Most of my competitions take place in stair climb events across the country, many of which support organizations like the American Lung Association. These events combine physical challenge with a deeper purpose, which has always been a meaningful part of why I compete.

What’s most exciting to me isn’t just winning—it’s the process behind it. Stair climbing is a sport where there’s no shortcut. Every result reflects preparation, mental focus, and the ability to perform under pressure in a very direct way. Over time, that’s allowed me to build a body of work that includes multiple world records and dozens of course records across different cities, countries, and events. Most recently, I had two World Records officially verified by Atlas World Records, further validating the consistency and longevity of my performance over time.

What makes my journey a little different is that much of it has happened outside of the traditional spotlight. There’s no major league or mainstream structure behind stair climbing, so everything I’ve built has come from showing up year after year, adapting, and continuing to improve. That long-term approach is something I take a lot of pride in.

Right now, I’m continuing to build on that foundation by competing, setting new benchmarks, and working toward additional records while also expanding how I share the story. That includes more intentional storytelling, media outreach, and finding new ways to connect what I do on the course with a broader audience.

At its core, my brand is about consistency over time—showing what’s possible when you commit to something fully and stay with it long enough to see the results.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three things have had the biggest impact on my journey: consistency, mental discipline, and adaptability.
Consistency is the foundation. Not just showing up when things are going well, but showing up year after year, even when there’s no spotlight or immediate reward. That’s where the real separation happens. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to focus less on quick results and more on building habits you can sustain over time. Small, repeated efforts compound in ways people often underestimate.

Mental discipline is just as important as physical ability, especially in a sport like stair climbing. You’re constantly pushing through discomfort, managing your pace, and staying focused under pressure. That carries over beyond competition as well. Developing that mindset means learning how to stay locked in on your process, even when external recognition isn’t there yet.

The third is adaptability. Every event is different—courses change, conditions change, competition changes. Over time, I’ve learned how to adjust without losing focus. Early on, it’s easy to get thrown off when things don’t go exactly as planned, but growth comes from learning how to respond, not react.

If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t rush the process. Take the time to build a strong foundation in these areas. The results will come, but more importantly, you’ll be able to sustain them.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

If I knew I only had a decade left, I wouldn’t change much about how I’m living now, I’d just become even more intentional about it.

I’ve always believed that we’re all passing through this life, and what matters most is what we do in the space between when we arrive and when we leave. That perspective is a big part of why I push the way I do—whether it’s pursuing records or competing at a high level. It’s about making the most of the time and the opportunities in front of me.

I would continue giving everything I have to my training and competition, not just to win, but to see how far I can really go. At the same time, I’d stay focused on making an impact beyond the results—showing people that change doesn’t require perfect conditions. It can start right where you are, with what you have.

I’ve learned that impact isn’t always about big moments. Sometimes it’s the smallest actions, the consistency, or the example you set over time that reaches people the most.

If I had ten years left, my goal would be simple: maximize my potential, continue building something meaningful, and use every accomplishment as a way to remind others that they have more in them than they might realize.

If you’re going to live, leave behind a legacy. Make an impact on the world that can never be erased. – Maya Angelou

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stairclimbelite.com
• Instagram: @Stairclimbelite
• Facebook: @Troy Alston
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-alston-mba-creative
• Twitter: @Stairclimbelite
• Youtube: @Stairclimbelite

Image Credits

Main photo was taken September 12, 2024, at the Haus des Meeres Treppenlauf by © Dominik Moser

First photo was taken February 14, 2026, Downtown Tampa by Kathleen Warnock

Second photo was taken May 18, 2025, at the Houston Fight for Air Climb by Texas American Lung Association

Third photo was taken April 23, 2026, Downtown Tampa by Kathleen Warnock

Fourth photo was taken April 5, 2025, at the Hartfort Fight for Air Climb by Hartford American Lung Association

Fifth photo was taken November 28, 2025, at the Delftse Trappenloopkampioenschappen by the Delft Photo Committee

Sixth photo was taken March 22, 2025, at the Jacksonville Fight for Air Climb by 904photovids