VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Gil Reveals How Faith Helps Him To Be An ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Champion

Daniel Gil revealed how he prepares for American Ninja Warrior, including how he incorporates his faith into competing, in his new uInterview.

“I grew up as an athlete, played about every sport possible, and done like parkour and free running when I was in my high school years,” Gil told uInterview Founder Erik Meers, “but when it comes to American Ninja Warrior, I think it is the most full-body, you know, a disciplined sport that there is. Because really I mean you have to have incredible upper body, for one thing, incredible grip strength, so like having a rock climbing background is great but at the same time if you don’t have, you know, balance or agility or strong legs you won’t be able to make it through those balance obstacles, those agility-based obstacles, or up the warped wall.

“So I mean every single day training for American Ninja Warrior includes you know upper body training, lower body training, cardio training, a lot of conditioning and things like that, but it’s such a functional means of training for American Ninja Warrior,” Gil said.

He revealed that in seven seasons of competing, he has two highlights. “Two years ago, when we had our last, you know, that we went to the Vegas finals I was one of two people to make it to Stage 4, Mount Midoriyama, and though I timed out and lost a million dollars, I still thought to myself, ‘Okay, where’s the good that could come out of this?’ And I thought, ‘Oh well, I never fell. I never, you know, got disqualified. I made it all the way here, and if I made it here once, I believe I have what it takes to get here again.

“So the following season, last year, back in 2020, even in the midst of a pandemic, we were able to have an expedited season of American Ninja Warrior and I came back with that mindset, that mentality, that I have what it takes, I know what I’m capable of and I was able to win last season and become the champion,” he said.

Gil called losing in 2019 “bittersweet” and “sobering,” but said he didn’t let himself focus on the negative. “I stayed focused on my goals, my dreams, you know, my capabilities and that’s the reason I was able to come back the following year, last year, and win that season.”

Gil, a former traveling minister, said he also focuses on his faith while preparing and competing. “First and foremost, I mean I go by Kingdom Ninja, that’s kind of my mantra, my ninja name, and that goes with one of my favorite Bible verses,” he said.

“When I got the opportunity to begin competing on American Ninja Warrior I thought, ‘Wow, what a great platform to get to you know be a light,’ you know, encourage inspire so many millions of people who watch this show just seeing me overcome different obstacles and how that relates to each and every one of us because we all have obstacles we face in life,” he said.