Meet jared

I have been involved in athletics my entire life. In Highschool, I excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. I went to East Texas Baptist University to continue my athletic career, but instead, I felt called to be a youth pastor. I began youth ministry my freshman year of college and realized that I should use my athletic gifts as a way to connect with students and share the Gospel. After graduating college, I was searching for a new athletic outlet. My students encouraged me to try out for American Ninja Warrior.

I made a short submission video and applied to be a contestant on the 5th season of American Ninja Warrior. I never received a callback and I assumed that dream had faded. A year later, I received an unexpected call from the shows; producers asking me to submit another video for season 6. In the short span of a month, I trained, lost weight, filmed a video, and to my surprise, I was selected to compete in the Dallas Qualifying round of season 6.

When I took the stage, I felt like I was on top of the world and ready to “beat that wall.” Unfortunately, my season quickly ended with a log to the face and a splash in the pool. I had another opportunity in season 7, but that too ended earlier than I had hoped. These experiences have truly helped me see that my failures don’t define me and that God works all things for good. Through the failures on the course, I’ve been able to be a walking, real life example of someone who has gotten back up and kept on going. God has turned what I first saw as “failure” into a ministry that has encouraged thousands of people to overcome whatever obstacles they are facing in life.

I really want my story to be an encouragement and inspiration to people. I want them to know that they can overcome any obstacle that life throws at them and that we should never ever give up.