When I was 11 years old I was watching tv and the show started, "Ninja Warrior." This was the perfect storm since I was 11- the show had both the words "ninja" and "warrior", and they were doing insane obstacles. I fell in love instantly. A Japanese obstacle course show that tested speed, strength, agility, and mental fortitude. All of that going on while some commentator screamed in a language I didn't understand. It is as cool as it sounds. At the time, I was very small. Weighing about 75 lbs and staying small for my age until I was 16. Since I was a small lad at the time, and the show was set in Japan where they weren't very big either, I felt that was where I belonged. These athletes weren't tested on their ability to lift heavy things, but their ability to become weightless and fly. But I was 11 and the show was set in Japan, I would not get the chance to be a Ninja Warrior anytime soon. So I trained. Everyday.

Every park, wall, staircases, other houses, and my eventual ninja park my dad built me.

A few years later, the show came to America and my dream got that much closer. At the time, the age requirement to be on the show was 21 years old. I was 16, so 5 more years of training. I trained every day. I trained until my hands bled, I found gyms hours away just to get play time. When I got older, I went to Vegas to watch. All of this preparation just for the chance to compete.

Fast forward to December 2017, the dude dates for American Ninja Warrior submission videos. At this point, I've trained for almost 10 years, traveled all around California, tested the course in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. I feel ready, but do they want me? The harsh reality of American Ninja Warrior is that it is a show first, obstacle course show second. With that in mind, do they really want me on their show? Living in Idaho puts us Idaho ninjas at a disadvantage because we don't fit in any normal geographic mold. So I waited, anxiously, for 5 months.

May 2018. I receive "the call". It's a call from a Los Angeles number and they have a question about my application.

"James, I'm looking on your application right now and I just have a question real quick. Do you want to be a contestant on season 10 of American Ninja Warrior?"

Stunned and excited I said "YES" as soon as possible. And maybe said a few other "naughty" words. Maybe.

I got to live my dream and be on American Ninja Warrior. My journey started when I was 11 and the finish line seemed so far away. But I loved Ninja Warrior. I loved the challenge. So I didn't worry about the finish line. I just trained and learned to love the process.

This story isn't meant to share how "awesome and sick" my life is.

It's meant to share that a dream, no matter how big or small, will come true if you put in the time.

Work when no one is looking, be patient, and don't stop dreaming.