Paige Stoltz: Mindset, Grit, and the Process

There’s something powerful about a first.

Your first race. Your first breakthrough.

And today — my first official runFAS blog interview.

Even better, it was with my daughter, Paige.

After her race, we stepped away from the noise of the stadium. She was still catching her breath, spikes loose, the kind of tired that only comes from giving everything you have. What followed was honest, simple, and exactly what runFAS is built on: Foundation, Action, and Service.

F- 🏛️ FOUNDATION — “Mindset Is the Most Important Thing”

Before the gun went off, I asked Paige what she tells herself — what keeps her steady when the nerves hit.

She focuses on staying calm. On grounding herself. On trusting the work she’s put in. And when I asked her the biggest lesson she learned this year, she didn’t hesitate:

“Mindset is the most important thing.”

That’s the foundation of every athlete.

Not the time on the clock.

Not the lane assignment.

Not the weather.

It’s the mindset you bring to the line.

And when I asked her what her mindset was today?

“To finish the race.”

Simple. Honest. Strong.

A- 🔥 ACTION — The Last Lap Always Tells the Truth

Every race has a moment where the body starts negotiating.

Where the legs burn.

Where the lungs tighten.

Where the mind whispers, “Are you sure?”

For Paige, that moment was clear.

“I guess just the whole last lap.”

That’s where the action happens — not the kind you see on the clock, but the kind that happens inside. The choice to keep going. The choice to fight through the hurt. The choice to finish what you started.

That’s the part of racing that builds athletes.

S- 💛 SERVICE — Gratitude, Growth, and Giving Back

When I asked Paige who she wanted to shout out, she didn’t pause:

“My 4x800 team… especially the seniors.”

That’s service — recognizing the people who push you, support you, and shape your journey.

And then came the runFAS signature question — the one I ask every athlete:

“Knowing what you know now, if you could go back five years, what would you tell your younger self?”

Paige didn’t overthink it. She didn’t dress it up. She spoke from the heart:

“Work hard and trust the process.”

That’s the message every young athlete needs.