September 3, 2026 • 21 mins
Twenty-year-old Josiah Pippel of Moorestown, N.J., was crowned the winner tonight of "American Ninja Warrior," taking home the Season 18 title and the $250,000 grand prize. Additionally, NBC has greenlit the hit summer competition series for an additional two seasons. Seasons 19 will see the return of the iconic Mt. Midoriyama and Season 20 will celebrate the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games with a special Summer of Champions, featuring several former Olympians and elite ninja champions from more than 15 countries around the world. To win Season 18, Pippel battled through the Qualifiers, Regionals, and National Finals, outperforming more than 200 of the country's best ninjas on a series of high-stakes obstacle courses designed to test speed, strength and endurance. The season also introduced the Tripleheader, an all-new supersized three-lane racecourse that raised the stakes with thrilling head-to-head-to-head races. First appearing on “American Ninja Warrior” at 15 years old, Pippel has competed in six consecutive seasons without ever missing the National Finals. Motivated by a disappointing early exit in the Season 17 Finals, he returned for Season 18 with a renewed focus on speed and precision. His title-winning journey started with a first-place finish in his Qualifying round and a successful climb up the Mega Wall. After dominating the Regional rounds and securing the #2 seed in the Final Round of 32, Pippel began an impressive championship run, winning five straight head-to-head races to claim the title. Along the way, he defeated a formidable lineup of veteran competitors, including Donovan Metoyer, Matt D’Amico, Enzo Wilson, Nacssa Garemore, and defending champion Kai Beckstrand. This season, the top four female competitors earned the opportunity to compete in a bonus tournament for a $50,000 prize and title of ANW Season 18 Women’s Champion. Reigning Women’s Champion Taylor Greene, an 18-year-old college student, successfully defended her title by defeating Isabella Folsom in the final head-to-head race, becoming the first female athlete in franchise history to win back-to-back titles.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It really is about having fun, exploring, and finding things
out that you didn't know so you can say, oh, wow,
I can't wait to share this. It's what we do
on Arrow.net, 21 different podcasts, A-R-R-O-E.net. One of our big
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You know the music, you know the artists, but can
(00:21):
you name them if I give you the hints? name
them before we share them with you. Arrow.net, A-R-R-O-E.net. Enjoy
your exploration. Happy birthday to you.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
You bet, man. Did you celebrate that day in a huge,
huge way, dude?
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Uh, yeah, it was, it was fun.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Obviously being a American Ninja Warrior champion on your birthday
is a celebration enough, but, um, After such a taxing
season and a taxing night, I did prioritize my sleep.
But yeah, after that, it was really fun. Me and
a couple of friends, we went to Croatia.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
And celebrated.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
There was a comp there that we did, but it
was a really fun time just to spend time with
friends and family and enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Well, the one thing that I've always learned about you
is that this is an everyday thing for you in
the way of studying the art of the Ninja Warrior
and everything that you walk forward with. Because you've got
leadership qualities that just blow me away.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah, I mean, I try to set an example in
everything that I do. I mean, being on such a
public stage, there's a lot of people who I know
are looking at me and looking up to me, and
especially the kids I'm coaching on the day-to-day are always
kind of looking up at me and looking to me
for advice. And so trying to set that example and
(01:44):
be an inspiration to the next generation of the sport,
but also to anybody who's trying to try something new
because ninja is not a traditional sport. So being that
inspiration to convince people, Hey, you know, it's okay to,
it's okay to fail. It's okay to fall as long
as you get back up again. And it's, it's sometimes
good to get out there and try something that maybe
not everyone is doing. Try something new and don't be
(02:05):
afraid to chase what you love because it can lead
to crazy opportunities.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
You know, just the other day, Mike Iceman told me
that it's going to be at the Olympics in Los Angeles.
And I said, is the cold water going to be there?
And he said, it better be there because that's part
of it.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yeah, I mean, it's really cool to see how far
the sport has come in the past 13 years that
I've been doing it. When I started, people had no
idea what ninja was. They asked if it was like karate.
And so to now be in the Olympics and actually
be an official sport that is recognized around the world
is really cool because I've seen it from where it was,
(02:43):
and I've watched it grow and been a part of
that for the entire journey.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
And it's really cool to now be.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Such a big part in it and be– an American
Ninja Warrior champion after so many years of trying.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Let me ask you a very personal question, and because
of your quest with 13 years, and I'm also a
third-degree black belt in martial arts, and it's at that
point where I can't compete anymore, but the thing about
it is, though, is that for the younger people, my
name is still on the wall. Have you jumped to
that yet, or is that still ahead, where you're going
to have to say, okay, you may not see me
as the Ninja Warrior now, but if you look at
(03:17):
that wall, you'll see that I dedicated my soul to
that journey.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Yeah, I mean, I'm not quite there yet.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I still have more to give to this sport and
more time to compete. But that is my goal eventually
is to be an inspiration and be a coach and
kind of further the sport outside of competing. I know
I can't compete at the highest level forever. So I'm
going to compete to the fullest until then. And then
after that transition to moving the sport forward from the
other side of the curtain.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Dude, when the body doesn't want to do it anymore,
I'm going to tell you right now, it really upsets
you deeply on the inside of your core because your
mind says, why can't I do this? And your body saying,
I I've been trying, I've been trying. So, I mean,
that's one of the things that I want to know
more about these ninja warriors and How do you deal
with that when the body says, no, no, I'm not
(04:05):
going to show up today?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Yeah, I mean, it is tough, obviously, starting when I
was seven and had limitless energy now to at 20,
slowing down a little bit. I just have to change
the way I train and change the way I do things.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Obviously, I still am in peak condition.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
I'm in the best shape I've ever been in, but
I need to focus more on warming up, stretching, making
sure I'm keeping my body in good shape because at
the end of the day, that's what's going to lead
to being in the sport for a long time. I
can't abuse my body too much too early or I
won't be able to do this for a long time.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
However long I want to.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
You've always been that guy that has mastered the whole
entire flight pattern. I mean, you know how to fly
through the air, but now I've got to ask you
that leadership question. They always say fight or flight while
you're in flight. Are you also in fight? In other words,
are you fighting to get to the edge or are
you using the energy of that flight to get you
(05:02):
to the top of that championship?
Speaker 3 (05:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
I mean, I think it's a little bit of both.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Um, As much as I try to stay flowy on
the course and stay calm and collected, in my head,
I know that I can push. And as soon as
I'm locked in, I'm ready to go. There's not much
that can stop me. I'm just going, and I'm going
to push.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
All the way to the end.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
So do you find yourself already in action to go
for the championship a second year in a row? Because,
I mean, that's one thing. When I said that it's
every day, a lot of people don't understand that. Those
of us that are in matches like this, it never,
never goes away.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Yeah. I mean, we're training and competing all year round.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
And so I'm now prepping for season 19 of Ninja
warrior and yeah, I'm ready to be the defending champion
and I'm going for a second year running.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
How do you deal with motion sickness? Because that's the
one thing that caught me off guard. I didn't, I mean,
it's like, if your eyes are not where your body is, Oh,
you're going to crash.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
I mean, we work so hard at just body and
spatial awareness. Um, there's so many times where in training,
I'll take like a slow-mo video of myself to like
show the kids how the body has to move and
how to get into certain positions. And you see all
the little things working together and how my hands can
be over here doing one thing and my legs and
feet are doing another. And just, it's all working together
(06:23):
to transition my momentum to go the right way. So
I think that's something that a lot of people don't
understand is like, I can be in very detailed control
of where exactly every part of my body is. Um,
And that's just something that over the years I've worked.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
On and trained.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Do you believe that the body does communicate? Because my
trainer was endlessly telling me your toes are talking to
your ankles, which are talking to your calves, talking to
your knees, right up into your abs. Do you believe
in that conversation and how do you tap into it?
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Yeah, I mean, everything is connected.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
And that's one of the biggest things in ninja is
to have your entire body in the right position.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Sometimes you need to catch everything. balance.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
As soon as you're hanging on something, you need your
weight and momentum going the right way so you can
stay holding on to it. So having everything connected and
being very in tune with where every little part of
your body is and what it's doing is very important.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
How much does writing play in this? Because it is
the foot fist way and that way is the way
we think. How do you keep your mind intact as well?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, I think one of the biggest things that led
to my success this season just was my mental game
and how I I was focused, especially coming off of
Season 17 with kind of my worst season. I was
really just focused on being back in the competition for
so long. I had ridden off my early success and
was just like, all right, I've done well enough. I
don't have to keep trying as hard. And so going
into Season 18, I was like, no, I need to
(07:45):
try again. I need to really push, and I can
win this if I really dedicate myself to it.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
So I think that's the biggest.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Thing in our sport because we're all– The high level
athletes were all capable of doing the obstacles, but it's
the mental challenge and the consistency over so many runs,
so many nights, so many. hours competing, that really is
the difference maker at the end of the day.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
You brought up a very interesting point there about last
season wasn't one of the best. It was a challenging season.
And yet just a few minutes ago, I was on
there on a conversation with Daniel from Shark Tank. And
we talked about those moments where we feel those losses.
But in reality, they are victories. So what did you
learn from that season that made you the crown king
(08:25):
or the champion this season?
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Yeah, the biggest thing I've been telling people for the
past few years is that failure is not a bad
thing it's an opportunity to learn it's an opportunity to
learn lessons that you wouldn't have learned by just succeeding
immediately and so coming off of season 17 I really
learned that like I can't take success for granted I
can't just ride off of one success forever I need
(08:50):
to stay in it stay consistent and really try my
best because if I'm if I'm not trying that I
can't succeed and so I need to make sure my
mind is in it and make sure I'm actually giving
my all.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
So outside of the circle of the American Ninja Warrior,
this is where a lot of people kind of point
at me and they make fun of me, but they
don't understand that you and I have got to sit
there and work on the strength of our grip at
all times. Those exercises look so freaky weird. How do
you deal with those moments where you're in public and
people are watching you work out?
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Yeah, I mean, a lot of it is training in
the ninja gym with people that are like minded. But
whenever I'm going to a gym and I just need
to get a workout in it, there are always strange looks,
especially recently. We've been doing a lot of like weighted
pull ups. And so I have two hundred and ten
pounds of weights hanging off my body while I'm doing
pull ups. And there are strange looks, but I try
(09:45):
to be strong enough that it still looks cool.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
The dude just won American Ninja Warrior. We'll be right
back with Josiah Papel. Oh, we got to get back
into that conversation with Josiah Papel, the winner of American
Ninja Warrior. How are you protecting that groin? Because I'll
tell you what, that's a muscle that a lot of
people forget about or the Achilles tendon. And man, when
it says good night, it means it.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Yeah. I mean, a lot of younger athletes, I think,
take for granted the importance of stretching and warmup and
all of that.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
And so, As I've aged in.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
The sport, I've realized how important it is to keep
my body in check outside of training and outside of
competing and just kind of keeping the upkeep and staying healthy.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Are you tapping into other forms of martial arts such
as Tai Chi or even Taekwondo or some sort of...
Because you've got to get that body to work with
the motions. Where your head is is where your body flows.
But at the same time is that your imagination can
take off and go in any direction. Yeah, I mean.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
my whole life has been a ninja warrior.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
And so that's kind of where, where I'm getting those lessons,
but it's so important to keep your, your mind focused
on things and keep your body all in line. Because
I tell my kids so many times that like, if
you're on an obstacle and you look down, you're going
to fall like where your mind is and where your
head's looking. That's where you're going to go. If you
want to get something, look at it. And that's where
(11:10):
your body's going to take it. That's the easiest way to,
To get where you want to go. And so I
think over the years, I've just learned how important it
is to be confident and also just like look towards
what you want to achieve and you will achieve it.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
OK, so now I know what it's like to be
in a competition. A lot of listeners don't. But there
are things that we were able to do. And I
don't know what they do with you guys. But do
you get to go talk to the one you're about
ready to race against? Because we were given that opportunity.
And the very second that I would see them, I'm
watching their breathing pattern. I'm watching to see if their
muscles are twinging. I'm looking to see if their legs
(11:42):
are bending. Are you studying them before you go up
to that championship beginning?
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Yeah, I mean, of course, we're always studying the athletes
around us. We're all in a holding tent together. And importantly,
we're all friends. So it is a very interesting environment.
It's all people that I've known for years and we've
spent a lot of time together.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
But yeah, before race, even.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Though we are friends, you're still studying them, still looking
at them, still trying to size up the competition.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
What are you doing for breathing exercises? Because my God,
that is so important because if you're breathing wrong, it'll
screw up your flight.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Yeah, I mean, it's a lot of just breath work,
deep breaths, box breathing just to calm the nerves. But
especially on the course, a lot of people hold their
breath and that is not good. So making sure you're
breathing with every movement as soon as you tense your muscles,
kind of breathing through that, making sure you're providing.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
Oxygen to your body is very important.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
Which is something I've been working on for a long time,
staying calm and collected and focusing on breathing while I'm
running at such a high pace.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Can you hear those play-by-play announcers to the sidelines? Because
I've always been afraid of that, that would it control
me if I was up in the air like that
and I could hear the guys on the sidelines?
Speaker 2 (12:55):
I mean, I block everything out.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
There's very few people I can hear, sometimes a couple
of my friends, but honestly, I don't even hear the crowd.
As soon as I step up on that start line
and I'm going, it's just silence.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
I'm so focused.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Well, I don't know how the hell you guys are
even up that late at night or that early in
the morning, because I mean, I can't get my body
going until I've had at least 55,000 gallons of, of,
of caffeine here.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
Yeah. I mean, it's, it's tough. I don't drink any caffeine,
but we're filming from, yeah, we go all the way.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
We get to set at 6 PM and we're all
the way there until 6 AM that championship race with
Kai was at like 5.30 in the morning and we
had been up all night.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
So it is a challenge.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
Dude, that's how we study for martial arts because, I mean,
that's the thing about it. When you go for that
black belt test, it is always at the most awkward time.
And I swear to God, it's about learning how to
trust the atmosphere of right now. So I've got to
ask you, were you in your moment of now during
this time of the championship? Yeah, I mean.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
It's all about what you've trained for. And so we
flip our sleep schedules leading up to it. We make
sure we're prepared as much as we can. And adrenaline
handles a lot of it. But I knew I was
I knew I was prepared and I knew that as
long as I could let my training handle it and
let let what I had done to prepare. Guide me
(14:15):
that I would I would get there as long as
I wasn't making any mistakes.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
So there's two things that we do and that a
lot of people that especially those sideline. I don't want
to don't even say fans. Don't don't do that. What
I want to do is I want to say the
people that walk with us the entire way. There are
two things that we always bring up. Do I do
it again? Do I do it again? Or how was that?
How was that? How was that? How do you deal
with those moments where you go into a moment of
(14:38):
doubt and you're relying on those around you boost my
butt back up because I need to get back into
that competition.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Yeah. I mean, for so long I was, I was like,
Oh yeah, I don't need to keep doing this. Like I've,
I've accomplished enough, but now that I've seen the top
and I've talked to a couple of friends about, do
I step away?
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Do I keep going? And they were all like, yeah,
you should keep going.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
And I think, For a little while, I was considering
stepping away, but now that season 19 is right around
the corner, I'm back in it, and I'm here to
defend my championship.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
You got to be honest with me here when it
comes to this. I realize you're from Jersey and you're
right now the most famous person from Jersey. You're out
doing Bruce Springsteen. And the thing is, is that if
I were your manager, I want you in marketing right now.
I need you on commercials. I need you on magazines.
I need you everywhere. So where are we going to
see you beyond this moment? Because you've been crowned the champion.
(15:32):
I want you to be a marketing genius here.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Yeah. I mean, I don't know what's next for me,
but I'm definitely looking at a bunch of opportunities and
trying to put things together so that I can use
this success to its fullest.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
So now what are your other areas of creativity? Because
I mean, all of this energy into one little shell,
there's got to be something else that you do that's
very creative.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
Yeah, I mean, there's a lot of opportunities in Ninja.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
I run a league where we host competitions, and I
design a lot of obstacles for gyms around the country.
But I'm a huge car guy.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
I love cars. Yeah, when I.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Was 15 or 16, I bought a wrecked car and
rebuilt it in my parents' driveway, and I still drive
that car to this day. So stuff like that, sim racing,
I'm a big Formula One fan. So that's kind of my...
outside of athletics outside of ninja and building hobby.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
See that doesn't shock me because you're into the mind
body and soul the spirit of it all you understand
how the engine works and how to get it started
so for you to be working on a car that
doesn't shock me because you totally get the process of
how to get to success.
Speaker 3 (16:44):
Exactly yes and i've always had a very engineering mindset
um ever since i was a kid i love taking
things apart and seeing how they work and so the
the The working on cars has always been something that
I've wanted to do. And now, especially with the money
I've made from Ninja, it's been really cool to get
that opportunity.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
Is there a moment that you're going to hold on
to forever that is just going to be that Josiah moment?
I mean, is it the championship or is it the
grind to get there?
Speaker 3 (17:13):
I think the biggest moment, especially from this season, that
stands out to me and that is something I'll never
forget is actually before we filmed. It was before that
last night. I was preparing for the bracket, preparing for
all the championship races. And we got to set. It
was 7, 8 p.m., sunset in Vegas. And everyone was
kind of in a group just talking. We were about
(17:36):
to go through rules for the night. And I just
kind of walked off to the side. We're in a
stone and dirt lot.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Um, in Vegas.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
And I just looked at the mountains and looked at
the sunset and really took in the moment and was
grateful to be there. And I think that moment will
always stick with me. Just kind of that moment of
appreciation and enjoyment of life. how far I'd come and
again in that moment I had no idea that that
moment that that night would lead to me being the
champion but I could I could feel that it was
a special night.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Wow now do you travel around to the different schools
and talk with students to get them uplifted because right
now they need someone like you Josiah they need a
warrior or just somebody who's so damn honest like you
are to say hey look you can do it but
you've got to believe in it first.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Yeah, so the gym that I work at is the
Grit Ninja. We have locations all over New England and
the Northeast. We actually go into schools and give talks,
and I've been doing a lot of those last year
and this year, and just kind of preaching that message of, hey, like,
failure is not the end of everything. Like it's okay
to fail. It's good to fail because that's how you
learn your lessons. If you only ever succeed, if you
(18:43):
only ever try a little bit so that you don't fail,
you're never going to see how far you can go.
And those failures are what are going to teach you
the biggest lessons in life.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Your name is very spiritual, sir. Josiah, where's it coming from?
Because I, because your mom and dad obviously had a
vision and a plan for your purpose.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Yeah, I mean, I've always had a very strong faith.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
And so I've always wanted to uplift people and bring
them closer again. Before every race this season, I said
a little prayer and I was just like, God, give
us strength.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
And so that really took us, that took me far.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
And so I think sharing that message of like, if
you dedicate yourself to something and.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
Ask God to be there with you, he will provide.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Well, you've got the glow. And my pastor, Stephen Furtick
from Elevation Church says, you never have to say a word,
just offer the glow. Just let people see your glow.
And you've definitely got that glow. And that's the reason
why I had to bring that up because there's something
about your inside core that says that you are the champion,
but you're willing to share the journey with those like
Peter did. He turned around to help the people up.
(19:48):
And that's just, I just feel that about you.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
Yeah, I mean, my goal is to just lead by example,
be the best version of myself and let my accomplishments.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Show people that they can. they can do it too
if they dedicate themselves to something.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Where can people go to find out more about you, Josiah?
Because they have to understand this is not an overnight success,
that you have seriously dedicated your entire life and soul
to this project and they too can do it.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Yeah. I mean, my Instagram, Josiah Appel, I'm posting all
the time, posting course runs, training, Ninja Warrior stuff, as
well as just like lifestyle things, the things I'm passionate about.
And that's really where It all happens that I show
my authentic self because I don't want someone to see
me on TV, see me on Instagram, and then meet
(20:36):
me in person and go, oh, he's really different. I
want to be my authentic self, and so I try
to be the same person on and off the course.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
That's what it's all about, dude. That's what it's all about.
You've got to come back to this show any time
in the future, Josiah. I love your energy. I love
everything that you're doing with your mind, body, and soul
because you're using it as the tool that it is.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
You be brilliant today, okay, Josiah?
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Thank you. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
You bet. See ya.
It really is about having fun, exploring, and finding things
out that you didn't know so you can say, oh, wow,
I can't wait to share this. It's what we do
on Arrow.net, 21 different podcasts, A-R-R-O-E.net. One of our big
ones right now is a thing called Music's Lost History.
You know the music, you know the artists, but can
(00:21):
you name them if I give you the hints? name
them before we share them with you. Arrow.net, A-R-R-O-E.net. Enjoy
your exploration. Happy birthday to you.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
You bet, man. Did you celebrate that day in a huge,
huge way, dude?
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Uh, yeah, it was, it was fun.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Obviously being a American Ninja Warrior champion on your birthday
is a celebration enough, but, um, After such a taxing
season and a taxing night, I did prioritize my sleep.
But yeah, after that, it was really fun. Me and
a couple of friends, we went to Croatia.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
And celebrated.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
There was a comp there that we did, but it
was a really fun time just to spend time with
friends and family and enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Well, the one thing that I've always learned about you
is that this is an everyday thing for you in
the way of studying the art of the Ninja Warrior
and everything that you walk forward with. Because you've got
leadership qualities that just blow me away.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah, I mean, I try to set an example in
everything that I do. I mean, being on such a
public stage, there's a lot of people who I know
are looking at me and looking up to me, and
especially the kids I'm coaching on the day-to-day are always
kind of looking up at me and looking to me
for advice. And so trying to set that example and
(01:44):
be an inspiration to the next generation of the sport,
but also to anybody who's trying to try something new
because ninja is not a traditional sport. So being that
inspiration to convince people, Hey, you know, it's okay to,
it's okay to fail. It's okay to fall as long
as you get back up again. And it's, it's sometimes
good to get out there and try something that maybe
not everyone is doing. Try something new and don't be
(02:05):
afraid to chase what you love because it can lead
to crazy opportunities.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
You know, just the other day, Mike Iceman told me
that it's going to be at the Olympics in Los Angeles.
And I said, is the cold water going to be there?
And he said, it better be there because that's part
of it.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yeah, I mean, it's really cool to see how far
the sport has come in the past 13 years that
I've been doing it. When I started, people had no
idea what ninja was. They asked if it was like karate.
And so to now be in the Olympics and actually
be an official sport that is recognized around the world
is really cool because I've seen it from where it was,
(02:43):
and I've watched it grow and been a part of
that for the entire journey.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
And it's really cool to now be.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Such a big part in it and be– an American
Ninja Warrior champion after so many years of trying.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Let me ask you a very personal question, and because
of your quest with 13 years, and I'm also a
third-degree black belt in martial arts, and it's at that
point where I can't compete anymore, but the thing about
it is, though, is that for the younger people, my
name is still on the wall. Have you jumped to
that yet, or is that still ahead, where you're going
to have to say, okay, you may not see me
as the Ninja Warrior now, but if you look at
(03:17):
that wall, you'll see that I dedicated my soul to
that journey.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Yeah, I mean, I'm not quite there yet.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I still have more to give to this sport and
more time to compete. But that is my goal eventually
is to be an inspiration and be a coach and
kind of further the sport outside of competing. I know
I can't compete at the highest level forever. So I'm
going to compete to the fullest until then. And then
after that transition to moving the sport forward from the
other side of the curtain.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Dude, when the body doesn't want to do it anymore,
I'm going to tell you right now, it really upsets
you deeply on the inside of your core because your
mind says, why can't I do this? And your body saying,
I I've been trying, I've been trying. So, I mean,
that's one of the things that I want to know
more about these ninja warriors and How do you deal
with that when the body says, no, no, I'm not
(04:05):
going to show up today?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Yeah, I mean, it is tough, obviously, starting when I
was seven and had limitless energy now to at 20,
slowing down a little bit. I just have to change
the way I train and change the way I do things.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Obviously, I still am in peak condition.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
I'm in the best shape I've ever been in, but
I need to focus more on warming up, stretching, making
sure I'm keeping my body in good shape because at
the end of the day, that's what's going to lead
to being in the sport for a long time. I
can't abuse my body too much too early or I
won't be able to do this for a long time.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
However long I want to.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
You've always been that guy that has mastered the whole
entire flight pattern. I mean, you know how to fly
through the air, but now I've got to ask you
that leadership question. They always say fight or flight while
you're in flight. Are you also in fight? In other words,
are you fighting to get to the edge or are
you using the energy of that flight to get you
(05:02):
to the top of that championship?
Speaker 3 (05:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
I mean, I think it's a little bit of both.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Um, As much as I try to stay flowy on
the course and stay calm and collected, in my head,
I know that I can push. And as soon as
I'm locked in, I'm ready to go. There's not much
that can stop me. I'm just going, and I'm going
to push.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
All the way to the end.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
So do you find yourself already in action to go
for the championship a second year in a row? Because,
I mean, that's one thing. When I said that it's
every day, a lot of people don't understand that. Those
of us that are in matches like this, it never,
never goes away.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Yeah. I mean, we're training and competing all year round.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
And so I'm now prepping for season 19 of Ninja
warrior and yeah, I'm ready to be the defending champion
and I'm going for a second year running.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
How do you deal with motion sickness? Because that's the
one thing that caught me off guard. I didn't, I mean,
it's like, if your eyes are not where your body is, Oh,
you're going to crash.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
I mean, we work so hard at just body and
spatial awareness. Um, there's so many times where in training,
I'll take like a slow-mo video of myself to like
show the kids how the body has to move and
how to get into certain positions. And you see all
the little things working together and how my hands can
be over here doing one thing and my legs and
feet are doing another. And just, it's all working together
(06:23):
to transition my momentum to go the right way. So
I think that's something that a lot of people don't
understand is like, I can be in very detailed control
of where exactly every part of my body is. Um,
And that's just something that over the years I've worked.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
On and trained.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Do you believe that the body does communicate? Because my
trainer was endlessly telling me your toes are talking to
your ankles, which are talking to your calves, talking to
your knees, right up into your abs. Do you believe
in that conversation and how do you tap into it?
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Yeah, I mean, everything is connected.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
And that's one of the biggest things in ninja is
to have your entire body in the right position.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Sometimes you need to catch everything. balance.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
As soon as you're hanging on something, you need your
weight and momentum going the right way so you can
stay holding on to it. So having everything connected and
being very in tune with where every little part of
your body is and what it's doing is very important.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
How much does writing play in this? Because it is
the foot fist way and that way is the way
we think. How do you keep your mind intact as well?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, I think one of the biggest things that led
to my success this season just was my mental game
and how I I was focused, especially coming off of
Season 17 with kind of my worst season. I was
really just focused on being back in the competition for
so long. I had ridden off my early success and
was just like, all right, I've done well enough. I
don't have to keep trying as hard. And so going
into Season 18, I was like, no, I need to
(07:45):
try again. I need to really push, and I can
win this if I really dedicate myself to it.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
So I think that's the biggest.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Thing in our sport because we're all– The high level
athletes were all capable of doing the obstacles, but it's
the mental challenge and the consistency over so many runs,
so many nights, so many. hours competing, that really is
the difference maker at the end of the day.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
You brought up a very interesting point there about last
season wasn't one of the best. It was a challenging season.
And yet just a few minutes ago, I was on
there on a conversation with Daniel from Shark Tank. And
we talked about those moments where we feel those losses.
But in reality, they are victories. So what did you
learn from that season that made you the crown king
(08:25):
or the champion this season?
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Yeah, the biggest thing I've been telling people for the
past few years is that failure is not a bad
thing it's an opportunity to learn it's an opportunity to
learn lessons that you wouldn't have learned by just succeeding
immediately and so coming off of season 17 I really
learned that like I can't take success for granted I
can't just ride off of one success forever I need
(08:50):
to stay in it stay consistent and really try my
best because if I'm if I'm not trying that I
can't succeed and so I need to make sure my
mind is in it and make sure I'm actually giving
my all.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
So outside of the circle of the American Ninja Warrior,
this is where a lot of people kind of point
at me and they make fun of me, but they
don't understand that you and I have got to sit
there and work on the strength of our grip at
all times. Those exercises look so freaky weird. How do
you deal with those moments where you're in public and
people are watching you work out?
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Yeah, I mean, a lot of it is training in
the ninja gym with people that are like minded. But
whenever I'm going to a gym and I just need
to get a workout in it, there are always strange looks,
especially recently. We've been doing a lot of like weighted
pull ups. And so I have two hundred and ten
pounds of weights hanging off my body while I'm doing
pull ups. And there are strange looks, but I try
(09:45):
to be strong enough that it still looks cool.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
The dude just won American Ninja Warrior. We'll be right
back with Josiah Papel. Oh, we got to get back
into that conversation with Josiah Papel, the winner of American
Ninja Warrior. How are you protecting that groin? Because I'll
tell you what, that's a muscle that a lot of
people forget about or the Achilles tendon. And man, when
it says good night, it means it.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Yeah. I mean, a lot of younger athletes, I think,
take for granted the importance of stretching and warmup and
all of that.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
And so, As I've aged in.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
The sport, I've realized how important it is to keep
my body in check outside of training and outside of
competing and just kind of keeping the upkeep and staying healthy.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Are you tapping into other forms of martial arts such
as Tai Chi or even Taekwondo or some sort of...
Because you've got to get that body to work with
the motions. Where your head is is where your body flows.
But at the same time is that your imagination can
take off and go in any direction. Yeah, I mean.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
my whole life has been a ninja warrior.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
And so that's kind of where, where I'm getting those lessons,
but it's so important to keep your, your mind focused
on things and keep your body all in line. Because
I tell my kids so many times that like, if
you're on an obstacle and you look down, you're going
to fall like where your mind is and where your
head's looking. That's where you're going to go. If you
want to get something, look at it. And that's where
(11:10):
your body's going to take it. That's the easiest way to,
To get where you want to go. And so I
think over the years, I've just learned how important it
is to be confident and also just like look towards
what you want to achieve and you will achieve it.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
OK, so now I know what it's like to be
in a competition. A lot of listeners don't. But there
are things that we were able to do. And I
don't know what they do with you guys. But do
you get to go talk to the one you're about
ready to race against? Because we were given that opportunity.
And the very second that I would see them, I'm
watching their breathing pattern. I'm watching to see if their
muscles are twinging. I'm looking to see if their legs
(11:42):
are bending. Are you studying them before you go up
to that championship beginning?
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Yeah, I mean, of course, we're always studying the athletes
around us. We're all in a holding tent together. And importantly,
we're all friends. So it is a very interesting environment.
It's all people that I've known for years and we've
spent a lot of time together.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
But yeah, before race, even.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Though we are friends, you're still studying them, still looking
at them, still trying to size up the competition.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
What are you doing for breathing exercises? Because my God,
that is so important because if you're breathing wrong, it'll
screw up your flight.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Yeah, I mean, it's a lot of just breath work,
deep breaths, box breathing just to calm the nerves. But
especially on the course, a lot of people hold their
breath and that is not good. So making sure you're
breathing with every movement as soon as you tense your muscles,
kind of breathing through that, making sure you're providing.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
Oxygen to your body is very important.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
Which is something I've been working on for a long time,
staying calm and collected and focusing on breathing while I'm
running at such a high pace.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Can you hear those play-by-play announcers to the sidelines? Because
I've always been afraid of that, that would it control
me if I was up in the air like that
and I could hear the guys on the sidelines?
Speaker 2 (12:55):
I mean, I block everything out.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
There's very few people I can hear, sometimes a couple
of my friends, but honestly, I don't even hear the crowd.
As soon as I step up on that start line
and I'm going, it's just silence.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
I'm so focused.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Well, I don't know how the hell you guys are
even up that late at night or that early in
the morning, because I mean, I can't get my body
going until I've had at least 55,000 gallons of, of,
of caffeine here.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
Yeah. I mean, it's, it's tough. I don't drink any caffeine,
but we're filming from, yeah, we go all the way.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
We get to set at 6 PM and we're all
the way there until 6 AM that championship race with
Kai was at like 5.30 in the morning and we
had been up all night.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
So it is a challenge.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
Dude, that's how we study for martial arts because, I mean,
that's the thing about it. When you go for that
black belt test, it is always at the most awkward time.
And I swear to God, it's about learning how to
trust the atmosphere of right now. So I've got to
ask you, were you in your moment of now during
this time of the championship? Yeah, I mean.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
It's all about what you've trained for. And so we
flip our sleep schedules leading up to it. We make
sure we're prepared as much as we can. And adrenaline
handles a lot of it. But I knew I was
I knew I was prepared and I knew that as
long as I could let my training handle it and
let let what I had done to prepare. Guide me
(14:15):
that I would I would get there as long as
I wasn't making any mistakes.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
So there's two things that we do and that a
lot of people that especially those sideline. I don't want
to don't even say fans. Don't don't do that. What
I want to do is I want to say the
people that walk with us the entire way. There are
two things that we always bring up. Do I do
it again? Do I do it again? Or how was that?
How was that? How was that? How do you deal
with those moments where you go into a moment of
(14:38):
doubt and you're relying on those around you boost my
butt back up because I need to get back into
that competition.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Yeah. I mean, for so long I was, I was like,
Oh yeah, I don't need to keep doing this. Like I've,
I've accomplished enough, but now that I've seen the top
and I've talked to a couple of friends about, do
I step away?
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Do I keep going? And they were all like, yeah,
you should keep going.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
And I think, For a little while, I was considering
stepping away, but now that season 19 is right around
the corner, I'm back in it, and I'm here to
defend my championship.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
You got to be honest with me here when it
comes to this. I realize you're from Jersey and you're
right now the most famous person from Jersey. You're out
doing Bruce Springsteen. And the thing is, is that if
I were your manager, I want you in marketing right now.
I need you on commercials. I need you on magazines.
I need you everywhere. So where are we going to
see you beyond this moment? Because you've been crowned the champion.
(15:32):
I want you to be a marketing genius here.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Yeah. I mean, I don't know what's next for me,
but I'm definitely looking at a bunch of opportunities and
trying to put things together so that I can use
this success to its fullest.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
So now what are your other areas of creativity? Because
I mean, all of this energy into one little shell,
there's got to be something else that you do that's
very creative.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
Yeah, I mean, there's a lot of opportunities in Ninja.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
I run a league where we host competitions, and I
design a lot of obstacles for gyms around the country.
But I'm a huge car guy.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
I love cars. Yeah, when I.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Was 15 or 16, I bought a wrecked car and
rebuilt it in my parents' driveway, and I still drive
that car to this day. So stuff like that, sim racing,
I'm a big Formula One fan. So that's kind of my...
outside of athletics outside of ninja and building hobby.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
See that doesn't shock me because you're into the mind
body and soul the spirit of it all you understand
how the engine works and how to get it started
so for you to be working on a car that
doesn't shock me because you totally get the process of
how to get to success.
Speaker 3 (16:44):
Exactly yes and i've always had a very engineering mindset
um ever since i was a kid i love taking
things apart and seeing how they work and so the
the The working on cars has always been something that
I've wanted to do. And now, especially with the money
I've made from Ninja, it's been really cool to get
that opportunity.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
Is there a moment that you're going to hold on
to forever that is just going to be that Josiah moment?
I mean, is it the championship or is it the
grind to get there?
Speaker 3 (17:13):
I think the biggest moment, especially from this season, that
stands out to me and that is something I'll never
forget is actually before we filmed. It was before that
last night. I was preparing for the bracket, preparing for
all the championship races. And we got to set. It
was 7, 8 p.m., sunset in Vegas. And everyone was
kind of in a group just talking. We were about
(17:36):
to go through rules for the night. And I just
kind of walked off to the side. We're in a
stone and dirt lot.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Um, in Vegas.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
And I just looked at the mountains and looked at
the sunset and really took in the moment and was
grateful to be there. And I think that moment will
always stick with me. Just kind of that moment of
appreciation and enjoyment of life. how far I'd come and
again in that moment I had no idea that that
moment that that night would lead to me being the
champion but I could I could feel that it was
a special night.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Wow now do you travel around to the different schools
and talk with students to get them uplifted because right
now they need someone like you Josiah they need a
warrior or just somebody who's so damn honest like you
are to say hey look you can do it but
you've got to believe in it first.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Yeah, so the gym that I work at is the
Grit Ninja. We have locations all over New England and
the Northeast. We actually go into schools and give talks,
and I've been doing a lot of those last year
and this year, and just kind of preaching that message of, hey, like,
failure is not the end of everything. Like it's okay
to fail. It's good to fail because that's how you
learn your lessons. If you only ever succeed, if you
(18:43):
only ever try a little bit so that you don't fail,
you're never going to see how far you can go.
And those failures are what are going to teach you
the biggest lessons in life.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Your name is very spiritual, sir. Josiah, where's it coming from?
Because I, because your mom and dad obviously had a
vision and a plan for your purpose.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Yeah, I mean, I've always had a very strong faith.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
And so I've always wanted to uplift people and bring
them closer again. Before every race this season, I said
a little prayer and I was just like, God, give
us strength.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
And so that really took us, that took me far.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
And so I think sharing that message of like, if
you dedicate yourself to something and.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
Ask God to be there with you, he will provide.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Well, you've got the glow. And my pastor, Stephen Furtick
from Elevation Church says, you never have to say a word,
just offer the glow. Just let people see your glow.
And you've definitely got that glow. And that's the reason
why I had to bring that up because there's something
about your inside core that says that you are the champion,
but you're willing to share the journey with those like
Peter did. He turned around to help the people up.
(19:48):
And that's just, I just feel that about you.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
Yeah, I mean, my goal is to just lead by example,
be the best version of myself and let my accomplishments.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Show people that they can. they can do it too
if they dedicate themselves to something.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Where can people go to find out more about you, Josiah?
Because they have to understand this is not an overnight success,
that you have seriously dedicated your entire life and soul
to this project and they too can do it.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Yeah. I mean, my Instagram, Josiah Appel, I'm posting all
the time, posting course runs, training, Ninja Warrior stuff, as
well as just like lifestyle things, the things I'm passionate about.
And that's really where It all happens that I show
my authentic self because I don't want someone to see
me on TV, see me on Instagram, and then meet
(20:36):
me in person and go, oh, he's really different. I
want to be my authentic self, and so I try
to be the same person on and off the course.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
That's what it's all about, dude. That's what it's all about.
You've got to come back to this show any time
in the future, Josiah. I love your energy. I love
everything that you're doing with your mind, body, and soul
because you're using it as the tool that it is.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
You be brilliant today, okay, Josiah?
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Thank you. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
You bet. See ya.
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