David Campbell’s simple advice for American Ninja Warrior success

After we requested 12-time American Ninja Warrior veteran David Campbell what recommendation he had for his Ninja group members, he saved it brief and candy: “Breathe.”

David has lengthy been often called the “Ninja Godfather” for his years of expertise and his record of accomplishments. For season 12, he returned alongside two group members, Brittney Durant and Matt Scott.

All of the rookies can profit from his easy however sage recommendation. When David ran the course on the third night time of Qualifiers, he not solely hit the buzzer, he hit the Mega Wall buzzer. That was after an extended second on the Lunatic Ledges the place we had been nearly certain his season was over. The OG began his season off with a really nicely deserved $10,000. It wasn’t precisely a fortunate fluke. It was a part of David’s motivation for the season.

“(I’m right here) to have one other likelihood to do what I like. One in every of my principal objectives this season is to hit the Mega Wall. I’ve been coaching that fairly exhausting. Past that, it’s to make it to the ultimate Energy Tower spherical.”

However even somebody as skilled as David needed to get inventive to remain as sturdy as he’s in the course of the pandemic. He shared with us that the shut downs and the climate affected how he ready.

“I really feel very lucky to be one of many few Ninjas chosen to be a part of this. It’s good to get a break from the shut down and have a purpose to not get fats,” David chuckled.

“I had my yard course, which helped so much as a result of for the primary half of the shut down, it was raining so much. My course isn’t that nice to coach on for a day or two after it rains. And with the gyms shut down, it didn’t assist. I’ve been path operating. I did construct a mountaineering wall to maintain my grip in form. Though I’ve all varieties of higher physique, Stage Three-type obstacles, it’s not fairly the identical as mountaineering so far as actually getting a deep burn in your forearms.

Figuring out all by way of shut down that Ninja was postponed and may very well be introduced at any time saved me on my toes.”

Elizabeth Morris/NBC

So what does problem a Ninja like David Campbell? Seems that, like his recommendation, it’s additionally a easy reply.

“Getting satisfactory sleep is at all times one thing I’ve to make a severe level to make occur. I’m usually an evening owl. I really typically favor the night time runs, though I don’t suppose it’s actually that nice in your physique. Sleep and staying centered to have the ability to carry out at your very best at each spherical is a problem at most of these occasions the place we’re competing a number of instances. Getting satisfactory sleep and ensuring I’m 100% bodily and mentally centered for every spherical.

Apparently, David discovered a method to keep well-rested main into the Qualifying spherical. We hope he bought a superb night time of sleep earlier than the Semi-Finals as nicely! We’ll see the outcomes of that have in only a few weeks.