Paul Stafford from BCET dropping absolute dimes with coach Smulders | Coaches RoundTable Ep. 3

In this episode, I sit down with Paul Stafford — former Florida State and University of Colorado Boulder standout — to break down the training principles, mindset shifts, and key lessons that shaped his journey from high school phenom to elite endurance coach.

We cover:
-How his high school training system laid the groundwork for future success
-The moment he became a true student of the sport (and the first running book that changed his approach)
-What he learned transitioning from high school to the collegiate level at FSU and then Boulder
-The truth about FSU’s 3-workout-a-week system and his current philosophy on long runs
-How altitude, experience, and precision training fueled huge leaps in his 5K & 10K times
-The launch and growth of Blue Collar Endurance Training and the principles that guide it
-Why he values precision in training — from lactate testing to running by feel
Whether you’re a competitive runner or just curious about the science and grind behind high-level training, this conversation is packed with insights you can apply to your own running journey.

📸 Follow Paul:
@paulstafford27
@bluecollaret
@coachsmulders
@wesfly.trained