American Ninja Warrior taps competitive spirit in New Bedford, Lakeville men

NEW BEDFORD — American Ninja Warrior's Season 15 features a pair of participants from this area who exemplify the thriving sport's appeal to the competitive spirit.

James McGrath, 36, of New Bedford is an accomplished ANW veteran.

He's competed in 11 of the competitions — seasons 2 through 10 — and seasons 14 and now 15.

McGrath, who is originally from Seattle, has been a finalist seven times.

Noah Meunier, 17, of Lakeville, is competing in his first ANW, but he's been participating in local competitions and other ninja leagues for awhile.

And that background has paid off. McGrath says of Meunier, "In my opinion, Noah is one of the best Ninja athletes on the planet."

And McGrath ought to know.

Headed to Los Angeles for the semifinals

Both men advanced through the qualifying rounds and will compete in the semifinals in Los Angeles at the end of July.

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There is a pot of gold at the end of this obstacle-strewn rainbow. The fastest ninja who can conquer all four stages at the national finals will win $1 million.

That prize money, of course, provides an "extra push" when you're going through the physical wear and tear required to compete successfully, McGrath notes.

Why do people want to compete as American Ninja Warriors?

But the contest's allure is also its appeal to a competitive nature.

"I can remember the very first time I saw it on TV. I thought to myself, man, I have to do that. I have to try that," McGrath said.

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That was when the sport was only in Japan.

When it came to the United States in the form of American Ninja Warrior, McGrath knew what he had to do.In the beginning, an open, line-up tryout system was available. That practice ended with COVID but McGrath said it was available when he started.

What does it take to be an American Ninja Warrior?

"I was one of the people lucky enough and crazy enough to go out and stand in line for a week to get an opportunity to get on the course," he said.

His successes in competition have come with a price.

He had to have shoulder surgery in season 8, and was able to come back. His surgeon told him, "In two years you're not going to know you've had surgery."

But then in season 10 he had to have shoulder surgery again. This time the damage was far worse.

"It took them hours to clean up my shoulder and get all the debris out of there, suture everything up, and get me to a point where I could just have a normal, day-to-day life again," he said.

His surgeon - the same surgeon - helped him in his return. "He knew what I was trying to accomplish after surgery and he really did an amazing job giving me the best chance to come back. And here I am."

Training at Vitality Obstacle Fitness in Fall River

While he was able to work himself back into shape for season 14, his continued recovery has allowed him to focus more on technique in training for season 15.

That included training with younger competitors at Vitality Obstacle Fitness in Fall River.

McGrath's fiancee Allyssa Beird - they got engaged during a competition on season 14 - is also a ninja competitor.

Unfortunately, she's not competing this season due to an injury at a local event and is going to have shoulder surgery herself.

"She was devastated about being injured and not coming back" this season, McGrath said.

Beird is also a fifth grade teacher at the Burkland Elementary School in Middleborough.

McGrath, who works and coaches at TA Fitness in Weymouth, envisions the sport continuing to thrive.

"Year after year more and more people are getting involved. There are more leagues than ever before so there are more people competing in different ways. It's still growing," he said.

Meunier also trains at Vitality Obstacle Fitness in Fall River.

Though it's his first ANW competition, he's been participating in a lot of local competitions and other ninja warrior leagues for awhile, he said.

"They're all kind of based on the TV show. You run similar obstacle courses but the show is really the ultimate stage of the sport," Meunier said.

Meunier heading into senior year at Old Colony

Meunier is heading into his senior year at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School where he's in the electrical program.

His girlfriend Addy Herman of Pembroke is also an ANW competitor, and they met at Vitality Obstacle Fitness in Fall River.

Addie competed in the same qualifying episode that Noah did and they're both moving onto the semifinals.

Meunier said he draws inspiration from his dad, Dennis, who was seriously injured after taking a bad hit in a hockey game at age 16.

He said he learned all about perseverance and hard work from his dad, who had been paralyzed from the chest down and told he might never walk again. His dad's left leg was permanently disabled.

"My dad has definitely shown me what it is to persevere, and not make excuses. Throughout my whole life he has stepped up and provided, and not let his disability stop him," Meunier said.

And no matter how season 15 ends, Meunier added this is no one-off for him.

"I definitely will keep coming back."

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford, Lakeville men aim for American Ninja Warrior's $1 million