Each week we head to the gym for another training session. We put in the effort and keep getting stronger. Some weeks we crush everything, lift all the heavies and feel good at the end. Other sessions we feel like we’ve gone backwards. Our minds are all over the place and we can’t pick ourselves up, let alone anything heavy.

But in Ninja Warrior training, there’s no real number to chase. Unlike lighting weights, or running for faster times or longer distances, Ninja doesn’t have that.

What Ninja Warrior does have are obstacles. We need strength, body awareness, control and a mental game to match. If you don’t settle your mind, obstacles will be far more difficult. And that, my friends, is where competition comes into it.

What better way of learning if you’ve truly built strength and skills than going up against everyone else?! To know you’ve truly mastered your Ninja Warrior mind by the pressures of obstacle racing.

On Sunday’s monthly Ninja Warrior competition, it all came together for me. I completed each one of the 20 obstacles, including my biggest challenge, the Warped Wall. But the biggest obstacle I mastered was my mind. 

For myself, while it’s always in my mind, the podium isn’t the goal. Far more important to me is that I step up and leave nothing in the tank. During training, and you may be the same, I’m too quick to sit down or rest. But with the competition pressure, an extra piece of effort comes through and this month, all cylinders fired.

That’s a win for me. 

I didn’t make it to the podium. As you’ll see in the results below, I ended up in 5th position. But as I said before, the results aren’t always the goal; sometimes it’s effort and knowing you’re better than yesterday.

So what do you think? Does any of this make sense? Let me know your thoughts below.