What does it really take to become a five-time American Ninja Warrior - while raising a family and coaching others to do the same?
That’s the question we wanted to answer when we caught up with Yarizett Breunig, better known in the ninja world as Ninja Yari.
You may have seen her crush a salmon ladder or conquer a warped wall on national TV. But beyond the buzzers, it’s her nonstop daily grind that really shows what she’s made of
- and an approach to training that blends explosive movement with sharp, reactive focus.
Before we dive into her drills and mindset, here’s what you’ll walk away with from this read:
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How Ninja Yari balances training, family life, and being a coach
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Why she believes cognitive training is essential for obstacle course performance
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Her go-to BlazePod drill and how it mimics real-course fatigue
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How tools like BlazePod help ninjas build reaction speed, precision, and mental sharpness
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Tips for busy parents and aspiring athletes chasing their next challenge
Let’s jump in - grip strength optional.
From El Paso to the Pod Wall
How a mom from Texas became Ninja Yari
Born in El Paso, Texas, now based in Madison, Wisconsin, Ninja Yari didn’t grow up dreaming of leaping over tilting ladders or sticking a precision landing mid-air. But one day, something clicked.
“It started as a challenge,” she told us. “Something that looked impossible but sparked my curiosity.”
That curiosity turned into a mission. She began training, competing, and coaching, eventually appearing on American Ninja Warrior not once, but five times. Fewer than 1% of American Ninja Warrior applicants ever make it onto the show, and only a handful have competed five times or more.
These days, her schedule swings between school drop-offs, workouts, coaching, and content creation - but she’s quick to add that intentional rest is part of the grind, too.
What Makes Ninja Training So Different?
It’s more than just grip strength and obstacle reps
Ninja athletes face a unique challenge: their sport isn’t just physical - it’s deeply cognitive.
In every course run, you’re expected to:
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React to unpredictable sequences
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Recover from near obstacle fails mid-air
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Shift from explosive power (like a lache, an airborne swing from one bar to the next) into laser focus.
It’s not just about lock-off strength (holding yourself mid-movement). It’s about flow, a term ninja athletes use to describe their ability to move smoothly, efficiently, and intuitively through the course.
That’s where Ninja Yari says BlazePod comes in.
“Speed is the big one. I want to stay explosive, sharp, and quick - especially under pressure.”
Research shows that cognitive training can improve reaction time by up to 25% in athletes, which can be the difference between hitting the buzzer and falling short.
Her Favorite Drill? It’s All About Core Chaos
Lock Off Double Toes-to-Bar
If you’ve ever wondered what “functional training” looks like for a ninja athlete, here it is.
“It’s a full-body test - grip, core control, timing, and explosive movement - all while suspended.”
Imagine hanging from a bar, bringing your toes to the bar, and reacting to light cues from BlazePod mid-movement. It’s fast, brutal, and surprisingly fun.
Why it works
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Trains explosive power under fatigue
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Sharpens reaction timing in compromised positions
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Forces mental clarity while the body is under load
This kind of drill mimics the neural chaos of a real run - when you’re three obstacles in, shoulders burning, and need to make a split-second call. Studies have found that athletes who train under simulated fatigue conditions improve their decision-making speed by 15-20%.
Beyond the Course: Family, Coaching, and Community
Ninja Yari isn’t just an athlete. She’s a coach, a content creator, and a mom - and she sees BlazePod as a tool that adapts to all of those roles.
“Kids love it for the lights and games. Athletes love it for the data and challenge.”
Her daughter trains with them. So do the athletes she coaches. And the feedback? More focus, better timing, and way more buy-in.
“It makes training feel less like a chore and more like a challenge to beat.”
Her Advice for Busy Parents (and Any Aspiring Ninja)
You don’t need to be on a stage or a course to show up.
“Start small. Stay consistent. And stop waiting for the ‘perfect’ time.”
According to Yari, training isn’t about perfection - it’s about showing your kids what it looks like to chase something.
Whether you’re prepping for your first ninja comp or simply trying to stay active while raising a family, the real win is in the effort.
BlazePod, Brainpower, and the Buzzer
So what’s the takeaway?
If you’re a ninja athlete (or training one), you already know:
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Strength gets you started
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But it’s your brain that wins the course
BlazePod sits right at that intersection, where mental sharpness meets physical performance.
Yari’s story isn’t about products - it’s about unlocking performance under pressure. And in her own words?
“Consistency beats perfection. Progress can come in creative ways.”
