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With summer unofficially underway, I find myself looking forward to one of my guilty pleasures: "American Ninja Warrior."
The popular NBC show features a series of crazy obstacles, laid out in a sort of a modern-day medieval gauntlet, testing participants' balance, strength, grip and mental toughness.
In the few years since I was first introduced to this intriguing phenomenon, "ANW" has grown into more than just a series of shows or competitions: "American Ninja Warrior" is a culture, and even a community. And it's a community that draws more and more women every year.
Video vignettes introduce each participant before they take to the course, first in city rounds, and then the three-stage national finals. These profiles show "competitors" working out together in gyms throughout the country. As they face each course, through each individual obstacle, they cheer each other on, and pick each other up when they fall.
They are not really competing against one another, they are competing against the course, and themselves; they win when they push themselves beyond what they believe they can achieve.
Kacy Catanzaro, a tiny former collegiate gymnast, became the first woman to complete a city qualifying course, inspiring many other women to work toward the preliminary rounds.
Just last year, California stunt woman Jessie Graff completed the first stage of the national finals, and was asked to compete in a special USA vs. the World competition, two more significant "ANW" steps for women.
Perhaps the best thing about these crazy-athletic women is that they are competing on the exact same course as the men: no modifications for their difference in size, weight or strength.
There are some obstacles on which a woman's small frame may be an advantage, but for most challenges, grip strength and upper-body strength seem to be two of the biggest determining factors.
As these women take further steps in this unique and challenging sport, their male counterparts are encouraging them all the way. American Ninja Warrior has somehow created a competition (with a million-dollar prize) that does not pit individuals against one another.
Instead, it celebrates sportsmanship and cultivates a community of athletes anxious to share their passion with others.
And some of the personal stories touch the heart: a single mom, a war-wounded vet, a cancer survivor, an Olympic hopeful: anyone and everyone with an adventurous spirit, athletic expertise, and a drive for excellence may set a goal, and seize the opportunity to test themselves against this unique obstacle course.
For some Ninjas, getting through one obstacle is a major achievement; others set their sights on the top of Mt. Midoriyama.
If sports imitate life, the apparatuses represent every challenge possible, and these warriors take from their experiences the inspiration to overcome them all.
Kellie Goodman Shaffer can be reached at kellie@bedfordcountychamber.org. Her column appears on Tuesdays.