We recently connected with Madelyn Scarpulla and have shared our conversation below.
Madelyn, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I accidentally found my purpose when I opened my first ninja warrior obstacle training facility in New York City. My original intention was somewhat selfish. There were no ninja training gyms in New York City, I decided to open one to be my own source of enjoyment. I quickly realized that I got more enjoyment from helping our ninja students develop their skills, become stronger, and gain confidence. My purpose shifted to empowering our students. We’ve developed a tightly-knit community of new friends and relationships.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the owner of Los Angeles Ninja Academy, and I also own and operate two other successful locations, New York City Ninja Academy and Brooklyn Ninja Academy, and plan to bring my sophisticated ninja training program to the west coast. We have created a close-knit community of talented ninja athletes in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. It has been very rewarding to witness friendships blossom and athletic milestones achieved as a result of our ninja program. In Manhattan our competitive team has doubled in size since last year, and the current #1 Preteen Female in the world, Malone Canter, is an inspiration to all our ninjas. The Brooklyn competitive team is new this year, but they ended their season in the top ranks of the World Ninja League Tier 2 league. I’m thrilled to bring the first World Ninja League sanctioned ninja training facility to Los Angeles, and I’m proud to create another welcoming and supportive community of athletes to the sport of ninja warrior.
Los Angeles Ninja Academy teaches ninjas of all levels how to conquer uniquely designed, challenging, and exciting ninja warrior obstacles that mimic those on the popular NBC television show, American Ninja Warrior. Ninjas learn new skills and techniques for climbing, swinging, agility, balance, strength, and of course the iconic Warped Wall. Obstacles rotate each week, so ninjas are challenged in new ways every time they visit. Participants will eventually tackle obstacles with increasing difficulty and will learn strategies to conquer an entire obstacle course. Ninja warrior training is a thrilling physical and mental challenge an innovative approach to setting, achieving, and surpassing fitness and mental goals.
Los Angeles Ninja Academy offers kids programs for ages 6-12 after school and on weekends, training for teens and adults, advanced sessions to prepare athletes interested in competition, as well as private lessons, corporate team building events, and kids birthday parties on weekends. Special guest ninja coaches including American Ninja Warrior veterans will make appearances for private advanced training.
The multiple Emmy nominated hit NBC television show American Ninja Warrior debuted in 2009. Their 16th season premiered June 3. The action-packed series follows ninja warrior competitors as they tackle a series of challenging obstacles courses, with the goal of winning a million-dollar prize. The growing popularity of the show among kids and adults alike has created a demand for ninja warrior obstacle training facilities, which are currently few and far between.
Los Angeles Ninja Academy’s Lead Ninja Coach and Program Director, Daniella Blanchard has appeared on American Ninja Warrior Season 16 and currently holds the #1 Adult Female World Champion and Strongest Ninja Titles (among other medals) in the World Ninja League Season IX Championships in June and took first place in both the Northeast and New England Regional Championships. She has been coaching kids and adults the sport of ninja for over three years in New York at Westchester Ninjas, Empire Ninja, and New York City Ninja Academy. Now she’s excited to bring her passion for the sport to the west coast. Daniella’s favorite obstacles are cliffhangers and vertical limits – she loves grip strength challenges!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’m a long-time music industry professional with a diverse background in marketing, creative services, and business development. I’ve held senior positions at several major and independent record labels, and a major-market radio station, and I made the bold decision to open my first ninja warrior training facility in 2019. I spent my entire previous career applying my business savvy and creative energy to benefit others in corporate environments. Opening New York City Ninja Academy and Brooklyn Ninja Academy allowed me to combine my entrepreneurial skills with my life-long passion for athletics to create a community staple for families and athletes in New York City. Now, I’m excited to bring the sport of ninja warrior to Los Angeles in the same spirit.
The best advice I could offer would be to follow your passion. It’s not work if you love what you do. Stick with it and follow your own instincts and gut feelings. You will receive a lot of unsolicited advice that can cloud your vision, so tune out all the noise!
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
My biggest current challenge is learning the LA market and identifying potential customers’ behaviors. Los Angeles families behave very differently from New York families, and so LA Ninja is starting off a bit slow. My challenge is to find the families where they live and breathe, promote and spread the word to kids via their schools, special events, other sports and recreation activities. Marketing has always been my specialty, but I am finding it difficult to reach families and kids. I’m sure that will change as the word will eventually organically spread.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laninjas.com
- Instagram: losangeles_ninja
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesNinjaAcademy
- Youtube: @LosAngelesNinjaAcademy
Image Credits
Photo by Jeremy Danger
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
