The next American Ninja Warrior champion might just be training in Frisco

If you’ve even casually tuned into the popular TV show American Ninja Warrior, you’ve likely witnessed the staying power of Plano native Karsten Williams.

He’s appeared on seven seasons, advancing to the national finals six times. He’s launched himself up the salmon ladder in multiple cities, scaled an 18-foot warped wall in Las Vegas and sprinted across spinning logs that hover above a water hazard in Oklahoma City.

Now he’s turning his passion for the fitness competition that tests endurance, strength, agility and balance into a career teaching the sport to others through Ninja Nation, a family-friendly obstacle arena that resembles a gym.

One of the company’s first locations in the nation is in Frisco, where Williams hones his skills, trains the next generation of competitors and works as a marketing director in North Texas for what soon will be a national expansion.

“It’s a dream come true for me to be able to turn my career in ninja into something that I can support myself financially,” the 38-year-old said.

Williams joined Ninja Nation when the business was just getting started. It built the Frisco location and two others in Colorado in a three-and-a-half-month period in 2018.

Frisco fits the mold. Its strong family demographic — over 50% of households have children — is what prompted Cavanaugh to open there. Ninja Nation’s family-friendly approach attracts not only viable ninja athletes, but children and adults who just want to learn the sport.

Take Courtney Helms, a mother of two who lives in Dallas. She was at Ninja Nation recently to celebrate her youngest son’s 7th birthday. “There are a few [ninja arenas] in the Dallas area, but this one has the nicest and biggest variety of obstacles,” Helms said.

Being a fan of the show, she said it’s amazing to see Williams at the arena.

“We’ve been cheering him on for several years, watching as he’s gotten better and advanced further in the show,” she said. “It’s exciting to have him here.”

The Frisco location’s opening has sparked interest in North Texas in the sport, Williams said.

“Not only are kids coming in, but their parents are wanting to get involved with the sport as well,” he said. “It’s great to see the whole family do something together.”

Cavanaugh, who led a technology company before starting Ninja Nation, said more than 200 people have applied to operate franchises, with the Dallas market being the most popular. Ninja Nation is considering additional locations in Frisco, Plano and McKinney, and is looking to raise $5 million more from investors.

Franchising will raise awareness of Ninja Nation’s brand, he said.

“[Dallas] is a key market for us and working with [Williams] has been phenomenally successful,” he said.

Besides brick-and-mortar locations, Ninja Nation also offers mobile courses in Texas, Los Angeles and Colorado. They consist of an obstacle course that’s 40 yards long, including American Ninja Warrior’s famous warped wall.

“It’s been our biggest marketing asset … to let people get a taste of what we offer back in our arena,” Williams said.

The brand’s mission is to get one million people — who it calls “heroes” — involved in the sport of ninja.

“Franchising will help us accelerate our efforts,” Williams said. He sees it as a way to “share the same excitement and encouragement to everyone that joins forces with us.”