Many of you may know Kristi Paul as the pretty, smiling face at Pasta Jay’s – she is the restaurant’s Front of House Manager. But, as an accomplished triathlete, she can just as often be found running or road biking the streets around Moab, walking to Wicked Brew with her dog, Spin, or enjoying a mojito at Eddie McStiff’s on a summer evening. Kristi embraces all that is Moab and even though she took a brief hiatus to the mountains of Telluride after moving here in 2005, Kristi came back to town in 2010 and is here to stay.
What initially brought you to Moab?
My boyfriend imported me from Austin.
What do you love most about living in Moab?
I can train for my triathlons 12 months out of the year.
What do you dislike about living in Moab?
It’s in Utah.
What is your occupation?
Front of House Manager at Pasta Jays.
If you could have any job in the world, what would you most like to do?
If I can’t be Chrissy Wellington’s personal workout partner… I’d own my own butcher shop. It’s physically challenging work and I’d always have an unlimited supply of quality meat. I’d make my vegan mother work the front counter.
Tell us one thing people don’t usually know about you.
Both my parents are wheelchair-bound, so I never take a single day or pain for granted! It’s hard to turn around and go home when you’re tired knowing your parents would give anything for the pain you’re experiencing.
Describe a typical day in your life.
Morning walk with my dog, a swim, bike and/or run, food, then work.
Describe an ideal day in your life.
A morning walk with my dog, a triathlon (winning would be a plus), a steak, wine with my mom and a cupcake.
What are your favorite pastimes?
I love anything involving water, learning about wine and triathlons.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in life?
The first triathlon I ever won. Hearing that you’re the first woman to cross the line is pretty amazing.
Truth? Or dare?
Always dare.
Where can the best cup of coffee in town be found?
Wicked Brew or Love Muffin… I visit each daily.
What superhero power would you most like to have?
Super strength
What is your all -time favorite movie?
“Casablanca.” I’m in love with Rick.
And your all-time favorite book?
Anything from John Irving… I can’t pick one.
What is your favorite Moab activity?
Road biking. After living in Colorado, I love that there is a combination of flats, hills and mountains.
Tell us your favorite non-Moab place to visit.
Napa Valley… or Indiana (only because my parents are there).
If encouraged to the stage, what song would you choose to karaoke?
“Rocket Man.” Then no one has to suffer through my singing.
What is your life philosophy?
Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.
If you weren’t completing this profile, you’d be…
At lap swim.
