We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Troy Alston. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Troy below.

Troy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

In my senior year of college, I was in peak condition, preparing for the Walt Disney World Track and Field Invitational in the 400-meter hurdles. Since my university didn’t have a synthetic track, our coach painted lines on the grass soccer field to create one. Grass doesn’t return energy the way a track does, so running fast on that surface meant I’d be even faster on a proper track. I was flying through a hurdle workout, feeling strong—until, on my second-to-last rep, I felt a POP in my trail leg (the last leg over the hurdle).

That sound changed the trajectory of my life and career. My goals had been clear: break my school and conference records, win a fourth consecutive conference title, compete at Nationals, and ultimately qualify for the Olympic Trials. For a time, I tried to hold on to that dream after healing, searching for new ways to train and rebuild my conditioning.

That’s when I came across an advertisement for a 25-floor stair climb in Orlando, Florida. I thought, this could be the perfect way to build endurance for the hurdles. I signed up and began training. Looking back, that single decision was transformative. I couldn’t have imagined the people I would meet, the records I would set, or the lives I would impact through stair climbing (aka Towerrunning). What started as cross-training to get back to the hurdles instead launched a new journey—one that defined my career and allowed me to reach heights I never thought possible. It wouldn’t be until years later that I would understand how important it is to trust the journey and the process when things don’t go the way you hoped they would. Learning to trust GOD during the dark and uncertain moments is one of the best lessons I could have learned during this journey.

Troy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

It’s funny how we can have a vision for our lives, yet GOD often has a different plan. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on my journey and what my story truly means—and I can sum it up in one phrase: trust the process.

When I was injured my senior year of college, it completely changed the trajectory of my life. This October 9th, 2025, will mark my 15th year in the sport of Towerrunning (competitive stair climbing). I’ve dedicated myself fully—completing more than 140 climbs around the world, setting over 50 course records across 16 states, 33 cities, and 2 countries. That totals 128,178 steps, 4,762 floors, and 21,281.90 meters (69,822.51 feet)—the equivalent of 13.22 vertical miles, or climbing twice as high as the cruising altitude of commercial airliners.

In 2017, I was awarded the Key to the City in Niagara Falls, Canada, after breaking a 32-year-old record at Skylon Tower, originally set by Olympian Gord Singleton. I became the first and only stair climber to receive that honor, the first American male to win an international event, and the first internationally ranked African American stair climber—reaching as high as #2 in the world in 2020–2021(based on the 2020-2021 Intermediate Rankings).

Beyond records and rankings, what I cherish most is giving back and inspiring others to push their limits. Of my 140 climbs, 80 have been in support for the American Lung Association, raising awareness and support for lung health.
If I’ve learned one lesson above all, it’s patience. My journey has been filled with ups and downs, but patience allowed me to grow into the athlete I am today. We live in a world that craves instant results, but true success requires time, dedication, and faith. When you allow yourself patience, you also allow your dreams the space to fully flourish.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Patience has been the greatest lesson of my journey. Over the past 14—almost 15—years, I’ve faced many ups and downs. When I first started in the sport, I had no idea what I was doing. It took time, consistency, and patience to grow into the athlete I am today.

If there’s one thing stair climbing has taught me, it’s that patience allows both you and your goals the space to fully flourish. We live in a “popcorn society” where everyone wants results instantly, but true success doesn’t work that way. Social media often shows only the highlights, leaving out the years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance it takes to reach those moments.

The truth is, great things require time. With patience, you give yourself room to grow, learn, and overcome challenges—and that’s where real progress and fulfillment come from.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My Towerrunning career has been full of challenges, and while I haven’t always been at my absolute best, I never lose sight of why I climb: to support the American Lung Association, to inspire others, and to keep testing my limits. Instead of being discouraged by setbacks, I strive to use them as fuel—to re-evaluate my training, rebuild my conditioning, and return stronger.

One story that comes to mind is from last summer during my planning of a two-race tour in Europe. Since I did’nt (and don’t) have a sponsor, I had to cover the trip by working part time at Walmart (big shout out to my overnight team at Walmart). What made this a challenge is in addition to working part time overnight I still had a daytime career and I needed to continue training at the highest level possible considering I was heading to Europe to compete against some of the best Towerrunners in the World. But, from my years in sports I know it’s in these very moments that champions are born and races are won. So, despite being exhausted and even sleep deprived at times, I kept my eyes on the “Why Am I Doing This” and pushed through the long days/nights and hard workouts. As a result, I had a really good tour finishing 4th in my first race of the tour in Vienna, Austria and 3rd in the second and final race in Mainz, Germany. It would have been so much easier with a sponsor, but the lessons learned in situations like this are priceless!

I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about always being the fastest or strongest. It’s about showing up, competing with heart, and transforming obstacles into motivation. That mindset has carried me through every climb and continues to drive me forward one step, one floor, one climb at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stairclimbelite.com
• Instagram: @StairClimbElite
• Facebook: @Troy Alston
• Linkedin: @Troy Alston
• Twitter: @StairClimbElite
• Other: TeeSpring Store – https://stair-climb-elite-4.creator-spring.com/

Image Credits

Main photo was taken February 1, 2020, at the Jacksonville Fight for Air Climb by Laura Evans
First photo was taken September 14, 2024, at the 175th Anniversary Towerrun by One of my fellow Towerrunners
Second photo was taken February 1, 2020, at the Jacksonville Fight for Air Climb by Laura Evans
Third photo was taken November 19, 2022, at the On my Team 16 Stair Climb by Me
Fourth photo was taken November 18, 2019, at the Stick and Puck Stair Challenge by 904 Fitness
Fifth photo was taken February 18, 2023, at the Orlando Fight for Air Climb by Me
Sixth photo was taken May 20,2023, at the Atlanta Fight for Air Climb by Me
Seventh photo was taken March 22, 2025, at the Jacksonville Fight for Air Climb by 904photovids
Eight photo was taken May 18, 2025, at the Houston Fight for Air Climb by Texas American Lung Association