Visalia mom trains for American Ninja Warrior

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – American Ninja Warrior has been testing the limits of athletes since 2009, and while it’s known for its grueling obstacle courses, for one Central Valley mom, it’s become a way of life.

In a quiet Visalia backyard stands a 15-foot warped wall, a symbol of strength, determination, and one mother’s mission to defy the odds. 

“I grew up in a very rough upbringing and I didn’t let any of that hold me back from what I’m doing now,” said Zhanique Lovett, who is a ninja gym owner and trainer. “I just want to inspire people and show them that it doesn’t matter where you came from, you can still be great and amazing at whatever it is that you want to do or wherever your passion or heart is.”

A mother at 17 years old, Zhanique knew she wanted a different life for her children. 

“I knew then that I had to change and grow up for myself and for my daughter so that she wouldn’t grow up in the same environment that I did,” said Zhanique.

Her first time training was at age 30. At the time, she wasn’t a trainer- just a waitress and mom of three. But she remembers the moment she first had a dream to be on American Ninja Warrior.

The show brings athletes from around the country to compete on the most difficult obstacle courses. 

“I was like, ‘Oh, I can do that, I would love to try it,'” said Zhanique. “And I remember telling my grandma in the living room that, ‘Grandma, I’m going to be on this show one day,’ and this was years ago, like it was so long ago when it first started. And she just laughed at me and she’s like, ‘You’re crazy.'”

Many years later, she did get on, after overcoming self-doubt and with only eight months of training, she made it past the fifth obstacle and won the title of breakout rookie of the year, despite failing to scale the 14-foot-tall wall, a task she has since completed.

Now her 12-year-old son Malakai trains alongside her.

“I used to use this wall when I was younger,” said Malakai. “I would climb a bit when I got bored and I was just always hanging around. Sometimes my dad would let me jump off my roof onto a trampoline, and I got so much freedom and so much experience from being allowed to do all this and running up the wall and all those obstacle courses that my mom has.”

And even though having a ninja warrior for a mom gets him props at school, he says she’s taught him more than pushups and obstacle courses. 

“One thing she definitely taught me is to never give up because she obviously never did,” said Malakai. 

After seven seasons, Zhanique plans on returning for her eighth, this time dedicating it to her newborn grandson.

“I just want to break records and make history as a grandma,” said Zhanique. 

Now her eyes are set on the future with plans to start training Malakai to one day soon compete on the same course as her.