Dr. Phillips teen takes on American Ninja Warrior

Dr. Phillips’ 17-year-old Grace Gordon thought about every step, every jump, every move she made while on the obstacle course for NBC’s American Ninja Warrior. 

Making it on the show felt surreal, she said. 

But making it to semifinals was even more surreal. 

She was only 15 years old and competing with the big leagues. 

When it was her turn to compete in the semifinals, she took a big, deep breath and began advancing through the obstacles. 

Unfortunately, she had an early exit during the log grip obstacle, prompting her to touch the water underneath her. 

She was disqualified. 

Although she was disappointed in the moment, she also felt a sense of appreciation. 

Making it to the show was an accomplishment in itself, and making it to semifinals was even more impressive as a rookie. 

Instead of succumbing to the disappointment of her disqualification, she decided to become better. 

After many training sessions, she returned to compete in season 18 of the show, which will premier Monday, June 8. 

Gordon watched American Ninja Warrior alongside her family all the time during the summer while growing up, making the opportunities all more meaningful. 

A ‘ME’ THING

As a sporty girl, Gordon loved watching participants go through each obstacle on TV, but she never thought to train to become a ninja. 

Then, her neighbor’s grandparents signed their grandson up for a month at a ninja gym nearby. His mother then told Gordon’s mom about it, prompting Gordon to take interest in the activity and attend a class. 

She didn’t expect to love it so much. 

It was the summer between fourth and fifth grade, and she hasn’t let it go since.

“I always liked the idea of being strong and being able to do push-ups and pull-ins, whether I could do them or not,” Gordon said. “I loved climbing trees, too, and that stuff, so why would I not like doing these obstacles and getting to fly through the air.” 

She was hooked on becoming a ninja athlete from the very first class she took. 

“I went there my first time, and I saw these people that were my age and older, and they were just really good,” Gordon said. “I saw these people doing this, and I wanted to be like them. … I just liked it so much, and when I like something, I want to get really good at it.” 

Within one week, she was back at the gym training to become a ninja. 

“There’s so many obstacles and so many things to try, I had to come back and get better at them,” she said. “It was just so fun, and it was just really different. Up to that point, I’d always done team sports, like dance and ballet, soccer, basketball, softball, so this was the first time it was truly individual and (about) self growth — it was a ‘me’ thing. It was just solely on me.” 

The change in social atmosphere was important for her, teaching her to become an athlete who not only competes with the body but also the mind. 

Gordon practices and competes year-round, with the goal of becoming one of the Top 5 Ninja Warrior women. 

She participates in the World Ninja League, Ninja Sport Championship and Team Ninja Association, constantly testing her strength, speed, agility and endurance. 

AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR 

The goal was never to be on television, but she knew she had a chance to show her skills and make her mark in the ninja world, so she signed up. 

Robert Gordon, Grace Gordon’s father, said he and his wife never pushed her to apply for the show. 

One day, they came home and saw Grace Gordon sitting down at the desk over in the kitchen with a laptop. 

She had the confidence in her skills and the support of family members and friends — nothing was getting in her way. She was ready to sign up. 

To apply, she needed to submit a three-minute video talking about her story, alongside clips of herself going through ninja warrior obstacles. 

She shared her daily struggle with eczema — and the physical and mental pains it causes. 

Yet, she showed that does not define her or her athletic capabilities. 

She was accepted. 

In season 17, which aired in June 2025, Grace Gordon participated in the qualifying course, completing four out of six obstacles: quad steps, log grip, block run and spin cycle. 

She fell during the battering ram obstacle, a grip-test obstacle requiring ninjas to leap onto a series of suspended foam cylinders and ride them to the other side. 

Although she fell in the water, she still qualified for semifinals. 

Unfortunately, she made it through one obstacle before being disqualified. Yet, it was an amazing experience.

“Filming was so much fun,” Grace Gordon said. “It felt surreal to be up on the stage. … I didn’t really think too much of it being televised — it didn’t affect me as much as I thought it would, even though there were literally 70-foot-tall crane cameras going down (with me) and a bunch of people on the sides with cameras and lights. … I’m just like, ‘OK, calm down, focus.’” 

In addition to getting to show off her skills and accomplish self-made goals, she had the opportunity to watch and learn from other ninja warriors, who inspire and push her to be better. 

Grace Gordon also is a part of this year’s upcoming season of American Ninja Warrior. 

“If you think I did (well) last season, you should wait for this new season,” she said. 

BEYOND THE COURSE 

Being a ninja has helped Grace Gordon far beyond the courses and obstacles. 

“It’s impacted my life in so many ways that I never would have imagined,” she said.

Grace Gordon said she was a very shy and quiet kid — an introvert. On top of that, she often dealt with upsetting remarks from other kids about her eczema, which only made her keep to herself even more. 

When she joined a ninja gym, she remained shy and quiet — but not for long. 

She found herself in that gym, in that environment. 

Slowly but surely, she began speaking more and eventually came out of her shell. 

The welcoming environment and friendly ninjas are the reason she is so outgoing today. 

It transformed her social life. 

“It’s been a great experience, and she’s experienced tremendous success,” Robert Gordon said. “It’s amazing when I see all the things that it’s helped her become and still becoming. It’s had a great impact on her life.” 

Also, being a ninja warrior has developed a sense of responsibility, sportsmanship and maturity in her. 

As a high school student, she must manage her academics, sports and social life in order to maintain organized.

Playing lacrosse and volleyball on top of being a ninja is no easy task, but she’s learned she must remain focused and determined to get tasks done, bringing a sense of responsibility and maturity. 

She also has traveled to various places, such as Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Colorado, Utah, Massachusetts, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey and even Barbados for competitions, learning to travel by herself. 

This has instilled a sense of maturity in her as she navigates the world and different cultures. 

When she loses a competition, she does not frown. 

She learned sportsmanship through ninja warriors, supporting other ninjas in their success with a cheerful attitude. 

“I just love the impact this has had on all other aspects of her life,” Robert Gordon said. “She delivers where she has to deliver. She has all these spinning plates on sticks that she’s learning how to handle.” 

Currently, her biggest challenge is funding. 

Her family has spent more than $70,000 in training, competitions and travels, which has become unsustainable. 

Juggling three sports and school, Grace Gordon does not have a job. 

However, that is not stopping her from coming up with ways to continue to fund her ninja career. 

Recently, Grace Gordon created a bleach-art business. She now is giving clothing articles a whole new look, creating designs and images by bleaching the clothes. 

This way, she can begin funding herself when going on trips to competitions. 

This is just another one of many lessons she is learning as a ninja.