American Ninja Warrior Swings Into Cleveland

Canton native Logan Broadbent finished two spots out of the finals on last season’s American Ninja Warrior. This season he gets a run at the qualifying and city final rounds, which film in Cleveland for the first time May 8 & 9. The 29-year-old GE strategic deal manager tells us why attending a taping of the obstacle course reality show is better than waiting for it to air on NBC this fall.

When we are running the course, it’s the first time any of us have touched those obstacles. It makes it exciting to watch. There’s no practice run or anything like that. To see the course up close is really impressive because it’s even bigger than on TV. But more than anything, it’s about being surrounded by thousands of people, and everybody believing in one athlete who is about to take on this course. As an athlete, there’s nothing that gives you more of an adrenaline rush. As an audience member, being surrounded by so many positive people is motivating too. You have to keep your energy up. The show goes all night. They only film when it’s dark out, and you’re exposed to the elements. — as told to Jason Brill