About Troy R. Alston
/“We all were placed on this earth for a reason, to do something that only we can do. Let’s fulfill our destiny and do our part to make this world a little better off than we found it.”
CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
My name is Troy R. Alston and I am originally from Jacksonville, Fl. I recently relocated to Tampa to pursue an opportunity with Ashley Furniture as an International Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator. I have always been an advocate for being yourself and following your own bliss; however, after going through a period of life being hesitant to live my life the way I wanted to out of fear and worry of what others might think, I finally decided to take charge of my life and live it to the fullest!
With that newfound strength and the guidance of my heavenly Father, I have become one of the best competitive stair climbers in the world today, currently holding the course record for every race in the State of Florida, being awarded the "Key to the City" in Niagara Falls, Canada, and having had the opportunity to represent the United States at last year's World Championships in Taipei, Taiwan.
I have now started my own clothing brand called Stair Climb Elite.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CURRENT CAREER OR PROJECT?
I began competitive stair climbing in 2010 as a way of looking for an alternative method to train for Track and Field. I had run track in high school and earned a scholarship to run in college. I had a REALLY successful campaign in college—holding the school record, conference record, qualified to nationals every year—and only missed the 2012 Olympic Trial B Standard in the 400-meter hurdles by 2.7 seconds.
After getting so close and missing by such a small margin, I decided to try again. So, I started to look for different ways of training when I came across a 25-floor race in Orlando. I was used to running stadiums while training for the 300-meter hurdles, therefore, I figured 25 floors shouldn't be so bad. So, I trained, did the race, and ended up burning out around the 18th floor. I can remember the struggle and pushing myself so hard to finish the event. Once I got to the top, I had never felt anything so painful... but at the same time I felt so accomplished! From that moment I was hooked and returned home to search out more races.
Just my luck, there was another race a week later in Ft. Lauderdale. I went, set my first course record, and won my first race. That was all she wrote. After that, I told myself I would set out to be the best Tower Runner I could be, which has turned out to be great because I believe that I have been able to touch lives that I otherwise would not have reached due to our paths crossing.
Funny how life works out. We can always be certain that when GOD closes one door, He surely opens another.
WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST AND WHY?
I have been inspired by several people, but my mom has to be number one. I am the product of a single mother, and she did her BEST to make a way for me and my sister. Abraham Lincoln once said that he owed everything he was—or could hope to be—to his mother. It's very true. My mother set a shining example of what it means to work hard and not give up! A large part of my effort is because of her; especially moving forward.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WERE THE THREE BIGGEST STRUGGLES YOU FACED AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
I can recall several struggles that I have faced in life, but two come to mind that I think were life-defining moments for me. The first one that stands out happened back in 2012. That was a very challenging time for me. I was laid off, I had lost my car, and I was really trying to find myself and discover what I wanted to do with my life. When I finally decided that I wanted to be a designer, I started taking classes. Fortunately for me, I was also hired at a job around the corner from the school I attended. However, the challenge was getting back and forth. I still had no car, and I can remember taking the bus on some days, but on other days I would cycle to and from, which came out to be around 52 miles round-trip
Many times, I had to cycle home late at night, in the cold or rain… Whatever I had to do to turn my dream into a reality. Some nights, I made the most of the ride and stopped for a quick session on the stairs. Those times have helped to make me the man and athlete that I am today.
The second defining moment in my life occurred when I found GOD and developed a line of communication with Him for the first time. When I as in college, I remember going through a rough patch...so rough that I had no idea what to do or how to cope. So, I began to pray, and through my prayers, I was able to vent and release EVERYTHING that I felt. I prayed as if I were talking to someone on the street; I just let go and let GOD.
Things got so much clearer, and easier. Rick Warren once said, “You never know GOD is all you need until GOD is all you have.” I experienced this truth firsthand.
Those two life-defining moments have a lot to do with the kind of person I am today. They both taught me that hard times never come to break us. They only come to help shape us into who we were called to be.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS? WHAT GOALS ARE YOU WORKING TOWARD ACHIEVING?
“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
Over the next few years, I see myself growing into a better version of myself. I'm looking to grow in my career and move up the corporate ladder while continuing to build my own brand. My daily goal is to become a little bit better than I was the day before.
On the stairs I see myself opening doors that have yet to be opened. I think receiving the “Key to the City" was a BIG start! I want to achieve more and, in the process, continue to inspire the hearts and minds of many. I'm young and talented and I feel I have the tools to do it. Success is what I see in the next few years.
I'm looking forward to it and I'm working towards it!
HOW CAN OTHERS FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU (WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, ETC.)?
Connect with me at:
IG: @stairclimbelite
FB: @Troy R. Alston
Website: www.stairclimbelite.wixsite.com/stairclimbelite
Shirts: www.teespring.com/stores/stair-climb-elite
You can also google me :)