The Ninjas Way

Families quit because of THIS… and gym owners don’t realize it. What started as one kids program grew into multiple thriving businesses across gymnastics, swim, dance, ninja, and early childhood. In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, I sit down with Lynn Ledford, founder of Cali Kids and creator of Sweet Peas Gymnastics, to break down what it actually takes to build programs families stay wit...

From a small idea inside a gymnastics gym… to the largest ninja franchise in the world 🥷🔥 USA Ninja Challenge didn’t begin with a business plan or a corporate strategy. It started with a problem no one in gymnastics could solve: Boys were quitting the sport in huge numbers… and no one knew how to keep them. That single question “How do we keep boys in the gym?” sparked an experiment that reshape...

What started as a mission to serve athletes first has grown into one of the most community-driven and coach connected leagues in ninja sport today. In this episode, I sit down with Jen Miller and Kyle Vidovic, co-owners of FINA (Federation of International Ninja Athletics), to explore the story behind the league that’s rewriting the competition experience for athletes, gym owners, and families. Fr...

From a church basement… to America’s largest privately owned kids sports center 🥷🏗️ He started with three nights in a rented room and one rule.. never retreat, grow even by 1%. Five decades later, Kids First spans 184,000 sq ft, serves 25,000 weekly visits, and is the playbook gym owners travel to learn. In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, Jeff reveals the 1% growth theory that quietly com...

The hidden lessons of gym ownership and the surprising story behind Pop and Hold’s fully customized mission. In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, Julie Gelsinger shares what most gym owners overlook when it comes to creating a thriving ninja community from the importance of first impressions to building lasting buy-in from families. She also reveals the unexpected way Pop and Hold began, and...

From the brink of suicide… to building the most beloved ninja competition in America 🥷✝️ When Mike Cook lost over million and nearly ended his life, he never imagined God would give him a mission that would unite the ninja world. What started as a few obstacles in his backyard has grown into Ultimate Backyard Warrior (UBW) one of the most faith fueled, community driven competitions in the sport....

What happens when a preschool gymnastics coach goes all-in on ninja? Reece Ohara helped transform Queen City Ninja from a side program into a thriving 500+ student department, and now he’s leading the charge to bring the industry together with Ninja Connect. The very first ninja specific industry conference happening Aug 22-24th. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to build a succe...

Justin Conway wasn’t looking to build a business, he just wanted to train like the athletes he saw on G4 with his son. But when there were no ninja gyms, no obstacles, and no community… he built it himself. From late-night ninja sessions in his apartment to launching World Ninja Sport, Justin’s journey is a blueprint for dreamers who start with what they have. We talk training, business, DIY build...

Who really decides the future of Ninja? If you're a gym owner, coach, athlete, or ninja parent, this is a conversation you don't want to miss and be apart of. We hosted the Ninja Industry Roundtable to address one of the most pressing issues in our sport: the World Ninja League’s exclusivity clause and the long-term impact it could have on gym freedom, athlete opportunity, and the growth of ninja...

When one building closed, Glenn and Melissa Davis opened a new chapter one that would change their community. From Glenn’s decades of gymnastics coaching to Melissa discovering her athletic side at 46, The Rig Ninja Gym is rooted in faith, grit, and community. This episode takes you behind the scenes of how they turned setbacks into momentum, filled their classes in a town where “nobody thought it...

Can’t find a sport your kid loves? Ninja might be the thing they’ve been waiting for. Evan White didn’t grow up athletic, until he found Ninja. He is now one of the top teen competitors in the country with multiple NNL and UNAA finals and American Ninja Warrior. Evan shares about the long road to becoming a top-tier athlete. Managing nerves, building a training routine that works, and how faith be...

Meet Robert Clark the man behind one of the largest ninja leagues in the world. As founder and CEO of the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association (UNAA). In this episode, we strip away the fluff and get real about what's working, what's not, and what needs to change as we enter Season 10. From rule sets to the role of coaches, athlete development, and the future of the league. A must-listen for gym own...

Meet Sean Bryan the ninja who has created a ninja gym that is a sanctuary for the soul. Sean is a multi-time American Ninja Warrior finalist, founder of Traverse Fitness, and a leader on a mission to redefine what ninja training is really about. In this episode, he shares how his journey from theology to elite ninja training became a blueprint for building confident, purpose driven athletes. Sean...

Diego's journey started with a backyard rig and a dream. 🚀 Now, he’s leading The Wolf's Den, a powerhouse Ninja gym in California, built on grit, faith, and community. Overcoming setbacks, doors slammed in his face, and the challenge of turning rejection into resilience. From training at a middle school to running a multi-program facility, Diego shares how he built a thriving gym that fuses Ninja...

Tim never planned to open a Ninja gym.. now he’s leading the charge in growing the sport of ninja across Canada. Tim shares how a failed mobile fitness app led to an unexpected opportunity, transforming into Fitset Ninja, one of Canada’s top Ninja programs. From overcoming setbacks to building a thriving team, Tim dives into the leadership lessons, mentorship, and mindset shifts that helped him sc...

Born from action sports, built for ninjas. From crafting gear for surfers and snowboarders to engineering the perfect ninja shoe, Chip from OLLO brings decades of design expertise to ninja. In this episode, we dive into the journey of creating the Sapien X, the revolutionary footwear tested by top ninja athletes and powered by Michelin grade grip. Learn how Ollo is elevating ninja performance, one...

How do two passionate entrepreneurs turn a dream into reality in less than two years? Meet Brandon and Bailey from Elite Ninja Development in Chilliwack, Canada, who started with homemade equipment and backyard events and now lead a thriving ninja gym with nearly 200 kids. 💪 In this episode, they share how they built their gym from scratch, tackled obstacles head-on (literally and figuratively),...

The Shoe That’s Gripping Ninja Athletes Across the Country—Literally. In this episode, we dive into the vision behind Series One with its founder, Leon. Discover how this ninja brand is focusing on the safety of ninja athletes. Leon shares the process of developing the perfect blend of grip, stability, and cushioning—crucial for the sport. Plus, don’t miss the scoop on their new limited-edition de...

How could failure fuel the fire of your entrepreneurial spirit? We sit down with Karsten Williams, an American Ninja Warrior All Star, coach, and entrepreneur. Karsten opens up about his journey in the Ninja world, how early failures became his greatest teachers, and what drove him to launch his own ventures in the Ninja industry. From competing on the show to coaching the next generation and foun...

What if your greatest obstacle isn’t on the course, but in your own mind? Ryan Stratis, OG Ninja Warrior competitor and commentator for the Ninja Sport Network, shares his powerful journey of overcoming mental barriers. From his early days on the course to the mindset shift that helped him conquer self-doubt, Ryan’s story is a lesson in resilience, mental strength, and the importance of embracing...

What if your best years of strength were ahead of you? Ginny’s journey to becoming a Ninja Warrior at 63. Despite never having lifted weights before, Ginny, inspired by her daughter Jesse Graff, pushed past societal expectations and showed that strength knows no age limit. From overcoming physical challenges to building mental resilience, Ginny’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too la...

How Ninja Lair’s Themed Experience Keeps Kids and Parents Coming Back for More In this episode of the Ninja’s Way Podcast, we dive into the world of Ninja Lair with its owner, Mikey P, a former Ninja Warrior competitor turned gym owner. Mikey shares how his gym’s unique, themed experience has helped create a strong community of ninja enthusiasts in Las Vegas. Mikey discusses the challenges and rew...

What does it take to lead Ninja into the Olympics? 🥷 John Pyne from the USA Ninja Association shares the journey behind the organization’s role in elevating Ninja to the Olympic stage. 🏅 Learn how the organization balances tradition with innovation, while ensuring Ninja’s future as an Olympic sport. From developing a national team to creating standardized rules for technical officials. John talk...

How does Daniel Gil navigate the transcendent path of faith, family, and entrepreneurship in the world of Ninja Warrior? 🥷 As a celebrated American Ninja Warrior competitor and entrepreneur, Daniel shares how his faith fuels his success, his collaboration with Nike on the next generation of Ninja shoes, and how he juggles it all while staying true to his family values. In this episode... 01:35 Co...

This is what dedication to the ninja community looks like, building a top competition in the Caribbean! Dalano from Barbados Ninja Throwdown shares how he transformed a backyard passion project into a major event that’s putting the Caribbean on the ninja map. 🌍 He discusses what makes this competition truly unique, from the course design philosophy that balances challenge and flow, to how they cr...