When he steps onto the “American Ninja Warrior” platform, Nick Warren’s face displays determination and excitement.
Behind that confidence is something the television cameras don’t quite capture.
Before his upcoming appearance in the 12th episode of the show's 18th season — set to air Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. on NBC — the 16-year-old Central Bucks East student from Plumsteadville admitted that he feels a bit nervous each time he prepares to run the obstacles laid out before him.
Those nerves quickly fall to the wayside, however, reassured by the decade of rigorous training he’s poured into the sport and the support he’s received from family, particularly his mom, Stacy, and his 10-year-old sister, Alex.
“It's meant the world to me. I truly believe like
without Alex's support, my family's support, I would have nowhere near been as confident as I was while I was up on the course,” Nick said. “When they all tell me how confident they are in me and how much trust they have in me to go up and do this, it really pushes me over the edge to compete at my best performance and be like my best self.”
Through his sister, Nick said he's learned that agility and strength are abilities he should never take for granted.
Watching Alex grow up with dyspraxia, a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts motor skills, he's come to recognize how hard she pushes herself to do everyday tasks such as running, jumping or even tying her shoelaces.
“I realized just how strong she was and powerful she was. And I was like, my gosh, it's incredible that she still walks around every day with a smile on her face, all positive, all happiness, all full of joy. And it really makes me happy as a big brother,” Nick said.
“So, me being able to show her the stuff that I can do and power and push through, I really hope I can set a good example for her and make sure that she knows that she can do it too.”
In addition to his sister, his mom has been a significant part of his ninja journey.
Stacy, a coach for the Doylestown Rugby Club, said that she and her son both possess an extreme level of competitiveness.
Ever since he began competing in the sport of ninja at 6 years old, she saw in Nick an intense drive to become better and stronger no matter what came his way.
“I think that's what makes him do so well [is] he's never satisfied . . . From 6-15 [years old], when it was happening, he handled it so well. It really was amazing to see that he was able to put it together. And I hope he was proud of himself,” Stacy said.
As a multisport athlete keeping up with ninja, football and rugby throughout the year, Nick said he’s thankful for his mom’s motivation and guidance. He said she even taught him how to tackle.
“She's always there trying to coach me up, make sure I'm at my best,” he said.
“She's the one who pushes me and makes sure I give my best effort. Even some days when like I don't feel like trying or I don't feel like going to practice. She's like, 'No, make sure you do it. Make sure you give 110% effort every time you go.'”
It’s been an example they’ve set for Alex as well, which stays with her as she strives to improve at basketball. Her latest goal has been shooting the ball into the hoop from further out.
“Whenever I saw Nick play when I was younger, I'd always try to hit it from where he hits it, and I could never do that ... and then one day I was out there playing with him, and I was able to do that because I kept trying,” Alex said. “I learned that anything's possible and that if you push yourself and you just try to keep doing that, maybe one day you can hit that with it and maybe do the impossible.”
How to watch Bucks County’s Nick Warren on ‘American Ninja Warrior’
Nick is next expected to appear in the penultimate episode of “American Ninja Warrior” scheduled to air Monday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. on NBC. The episode should also be available for streaming the next day on Peacock.
What does it take to win on ‘American Ninja Warrior?'
The national finals takes place over four episodes airing Aug. 10–31, which shows the 18th season’s top 60 ninjas competing against one another in a series of races to become the last ninja standing, according to the show’s website.
“The Final two Ninjas will then compete in an epic 8-obstacle race course for the grand prize of $250,000," the website said.
Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, food and drink, economic revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks girl inspires ‘American Ninja Warrior’ brother | Exclusive
