American Ninja Warrior

American Ninja Warrior! What an adventure this has been! It all started YEARS ago. I would watch the show when it wasn't even in America. I remember Scott and my mom saying, "why are you watching this? You can't even understand what they are saying!" The announcers didn't even speak English, but I was hooked on the show. Hooked on the concept of people pushing themselves beyond their own limitations. I have always thrived off of challenge, and have always been motivated to push myself harder and harder! I love to achieve physical goals. Especially goals that may seem unreachable! So, that is what started my fascination with the concept of American Ninja Warrior...until my life story changed!

 

My mom got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer years ago. Hard, hard times! She fought, she struggled, she pushed, she won battles, other hurdles defeated her, she never quit. Until ultimately, she passed away. But let me tell you...she didn't go down without a fight. She had fight and faith the entire journey! This is where the connection was made between American Ninja Warrior and life challenges. Obstacles are like hurdles in life. They are hard, and sometimes you want to let go and quit. So, when I am doing obstacles that feel impossible...I hang on, dig deep and find this internal drive and push that keeps me going. I may fall, but I give it 110% on my way down! I relate it to the fight my mom faced. She wanted to quit at times, she felt weak, she didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, she relied on faith and internal strength to keep pushing. Muscles may make you strong on the outside, but there is nothing stronger than fight, courage, and focus that lies within! And that is when my love for American Ninja Warrior went to the next level. Beyond the physical challenge, the determination in these people totally intrigued me!! I continued to watch the show all throughout college. It was still not an American show at this time, but I was a loyal fan which always made Scott and my roommates giggle!

When mom was sick, we had many talks. She shared so many valuable life lessons with me. Being a motherless mother is a daily challenge in itself. Of course, I want my mom here to help me and live life with me. But, she prepared me to be a motherless mother. It takes an entirely different level of endurance and perspective. Yes, I have those that are willing to help me, which I am grateful for! But, there is no true help like a mother can offer! However, mom got my boxing gloves on years before I even had kids. She built me up internally, ready to take on the battles! She knew it would be hard, and that made her so sad that she was leaving me to "the wolves!" Haha. I laugh about that now because I understand why she compared being a motherless mother to "being thrown out with the wolves!" I wouldn't trade any of it. On top of all the knowledge she filled me with...she made me a fighter, a goal setter, I never quit, I dig deep, motivated, I push my boundaries, risk taker, brave. I proudly carry these traits because they are part of my story. The scars of moms death will never go away, but the traits I have developed because of her journey have made me who I am today. And these traits give me an edge in the American Ninja Warrior world. Again, enhancing my love for the show!  

So, how did I actually get into it?? Well, I continued to watch the show religiously. I was pregnant or breastfeeding every single day for 5.5 years straight. Yes, every day! So, that kind of threw a kink in my physical ability! Mom taught me the power of strength and health. One of her regrets was wondering if she should of/could of taken better care of herself. She told me, "you have one body...take care of it. Fight to be healthy. Fight to be here as long as you can. Do all you can to be strong and healthy for your children." That always played in my mind, so I wanted to put her advice into action! I've always been active and fit but I wanted to take it to the next level! What better way than American Ninja Warrior training!! Getting strong and healthy while pushing yourself in unusual ways...internally, mentally, physically! So, when Faith Ann turned one, I stopped breastfeeding and was no longer worried about burning too many calories. I never pushed myself too hard physically because I didn't want the quality of my milk to change. However, I was done nursing...so game ON!!! I headed to Sam Sann's ninja gym to try it out. I was hooked from that moment!

And the cherry on top...it has become a family obsession. Scott is so involved in all my competitions and my successes. He always wants to watch video clips from my training and hear about my techniques and the challenge from that day in training. Scott is always in awe that I can do all these obstacles. He is most proud of my ability to do the salmon ladder! He shows everyone the video of me "crushing the salmon ladder" (in Scott's words!) Hunter is obsessed with it! He does the "mini ninja classes" and he watches me train. He loves it, and he is really good! His first competition is coming up! If you read my Christmas blog post, you will see how obsessed he is with ninja...he got his very own ninja gym for Christmas! 

 

My goal was not to be on the show, my goal was to try something new and push myself. However, after doing the training and doing good in some competitions, I have decided to try out for the show! I submitted a video and application. Why not, right? I will find out if I made it on the show by the end of May. In the meantime, I placed in top 5 in a national level competition...so I am headed to New Jersey in February for a National Ninja League competition. Adventure awaits!! I adore all the people I have met too. They are all so encouraging, so unique, and caring! I don't have a "cookie cutter" bone in my body. 'Different' is right up my alley! And trust me, American Ninja Warrior training is different than any other physical challenge I have ever done. Who knows where this journey will take me?? But, I am LOVING the ride! And in my moms honor....I am having FUN trying to be the healthiest, strongest, most adventurous mom I can be!

 

This is one of my favorite chapters in my life so far!! I know we will look back and say "remember when!!" Making life more interesting...that is for sure! Even if I never make it on the show...I will continue the training because it is truly character defining! Truly trains you from the inside out. Makes you strong, inside and out! Lots of friends and girls in the neighborhood have heard about my journey and wanted to workout with me. So, upon request, I have actually started leading a workout group in the mornings!! It naturally happened and progressing nicely into something that may shape my future! I just use the techniques that I have learned, and these girls have all really seen results! Telling you, ninja training makes you truly strong in an entirely different way! And my dad...my sweet dad! He may just be my biggest cheerleader! He is so proud that "his little girl breaks the mold!" He says I continue to amaze him with my strength, drive, focus and 'can do attitude!' If nothing else comes out of this, I hope my children learn a few valuable lessons...make life fun, be brave, and remember YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!