From watching American Ninja Warrior as a child to competing on the iconic course as a teenager, Colton Skuster’s journey exemplifies how passion, determination, and hard work can transform dreams into reality. At just 20 years old, Colton has already competed in three seasons of the popular obstacle course competition, reaching the national finals in Las Vegas and proving himself among competitors twice his age.
Photos Courtesy of Colton Skuster
Colton’s story begins in Salt Lake City, where he grew up watching American Ninja Warrior on television. Like many kids, he found himself jumping over exercise balls and climbing around furniture, mimicking the obstacles he saw on screen. His casual interest transformed into serious dedication at age 14 when Carson Voyles, a legendary competitor on the show, opened a Ninja Warrior training gym near Colton’s home. This proximity to professional training facilities gave Colton the opportunity to develop his skills under expert guidance.
The COVID-19 pandemic could have derailed Colton’s training progress when gyms closed, but instead, it sparked his creativity and commitment. At just 15 years old, he designed and built his own obstacle course in his backyard, complete with concrete footings, wooden posts, and replicas of signature obstacles like the salmon ladder. This DIY approach demonstrated not only his engineering capabilities but also his unwavering dedication to improvement despite external circumstances.
Colton’s training partnership with fellow competitor John Mack proved instrumental in his development. The two trained together three times a week for hours at a time, pushing each other to improve continuously. As Colton describes it, “I was always nipping at his heels. He was always a little bit better than me, always, and I didn’t like that.” This friendly competition drove Colton to take on extra training sessions even when exhausted, building not only physical strength but mental fortitude.
When American Ninja Warrior lowered its minimum age requirement from 21 to 19, and later to 15 or 16, Colton saw his opportunity. He applied at age 17 with a homemade video showcasing not just his physical abilities but his energetic personality. The show producers responded to his authenticity and enthusiasm, selecting him to compete in his first season.
His first experience on the show involved an unexpected element – a monkey costume. While this playful approach didn’t lead to success (he fell on the second obstacle), it demonstrated Colton’s willingness to take risks and stand out from the crowd. In subsequent seasons, he achieved much more impressive results, including completing Stage One of the National Finals in Las Vegas and finishing Stage Two, though he was eliminated in a head-to-head race against legendary competitor Daniel Gill.
What makes Colton’s story particularly compelling is his perspective on achievement and growth. Rather than viewing his American Ninja Warrior experience as the pinnacle of success, he sees it as a gateway to new opportunities and challenges. He’s leveraged his platform to speak at high schools, mentor younger athletes, and explore diverse interests from caddying at Pebble Beach Golf Course to competing in crossfit-style events. 
For aspiring ninja warriors, Colton offers pragmatic advice: while training hard is essential, personality and uniqueness matter tremendously for show selection. “Everyone could say ‘I’m a ninja warrior athlete,'” he explains, “but what else makes you interesting?” This insight reflects the reality of competitive television, where athletic ability is just one factor in casting decisions.
Colton’s journey with American Ninja Warrior continues, with filming for his fourth season approaching. But perhaps the most valuable lesson from his experience is how he defines adventure: “It really just comes down to what do you love and then just going all in on it.” This philosophy has guided him from building backyard obstacles to competing under bright lights in Las Vegas, demonstrating that with passion and persistence, extraordinary achievements become possible at any age.
