Pax was born in Miami, Florida and moved around often as a child. She lived in Hawaii; Sacramento; and Pacifica, California, before moving to New Zealand when she was in the third grade. Nine months later, she moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she lived for thirteen years. She worked as a lifeguard for five years at various pools throughout South Florida, including those at the International Swimming Hall of Fame and at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood.