The Ninjas Way

Families quit because of THIS… and gym owners don’t realize it.

What started as one kids program grew into multiple thriving businesses across gymnastics, swim, dance, ninja, and early childhood. In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, I sit down with Lynn Ledford, founder of Cali Kids and creator of Sweet Peas Gymnastics, to break down what it actually takes to build programs families stay with for years.

From retention and early childhood strategy to evaluations, marketing, and community building, Lynn shares decades of insight from scaling sustainable, people-first kids programs.

🎧 In this episode, we cover..

00:00 From law to kids programs

02:59 Why retention isn’t cheaper but is more controllable

04:19 How starting kids young creates a massive long term advantage

13:41 How to design a real journey instead of just filling classes

16:51 Why showcases, branding, and community matter more than most realize

20:42 What makes programs truly sticky inside and outside the gym

25:57 The hidden drop off points gym owners accidentally create

29:47 Why evaluations and leveling up can trigger cancellations

33:37 How marketing the outcome, not the activity, changes everything

37:42 Summit and learning from the best

41:02 Sweet Peas Gymnastics and early childhood licensing

📍 Learn more

Summit Event: https://thesummiteducation.com/

Sweet Peas Gymnastics: https://sweetpeas.com/become-a-licensee/

Cali Elite Kids Programs: https://calelite.com/

From a small idea inside a gymnastics gym… to the largest ninja franchise in the world 🥷🔥

USA Ninja Challenge didn’t begin with a business plan or a corporate strategy.

It started with a problem no one in gymnastics could solve:

Boys were quitting the sport in huge numbers… and no one knew how to keep them.

That single question “How do we keep boys in the gym?” sparked an experiment that reshaped an entire industry.

What began as a way to keep kids engaged evolved into a movement one that would grow into USA Ninja Challenge, now the fastest-expanding kids ninja franchise in America.

In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, we uncover:

How Ninja emerged from inside traditional gymnastics

Why the first standalone Ninja gym sold out almost instantly

The moment franchising became inevitable

How 40+ locations scaled with zero debt

And why Ninja is becoming the home for kids who never quite fit traditional sports

You’ll hear how the program evolved from a simple set of obstacles…

to a full-blown curriculum, level system, skill tracker, and national competitive pipeline.. all built around community, growth, and giving kids a place to belong.

This isn’t just a franchise story.

It’s the story of how a small idea became a national movement shaping the future of Ninja as a sport. Learn more about USA Ninja Challenge here- https://www.usaninjachallenge.com/franchising/ninja-franchising

What started as a mission to serve athletes first has grown into one of the most community-driven and coach connected leagues in ninja sport today. In this episode, I sit down with Jen Miller and Kyle Vidovic, co-owners of FINA (Federation of International Ninja Athletics), to explore the story behind the league that’s rewriting the competition experience for athletes, gym owners, and families.

From personal phone calls and comp-day support to a brand-new adaptive program in the works, Jen and Kyle aren’t just organizing competitions they’re investing in the future of ninja.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

00:46 – How FINA was born from a parent’s passion

05:22 – Why personal connection still matters in youth sports

08:50 – What it means to be a FINA Partner Gym

18:40 – What’s coming for Season 7 (and why it’s different)

20:22 – What to expect at your first FINA comp

30:54 – Season 7 highlights + exciting new changes

35:45 – Building the adaptive program and opening new doors

👟 Want a league that puts people first?

💬 Interested in how to host FINA comps at your gym?

🎯 Looking for an inclusive, connected, and coach-supported league?

📍 Learn more: https://fina.ninja/

From a church basement… to America’s largest privately owned kids sports center 🥷🏗️

He started with three nights in a rented room and one rule.. never retreat, grow even by 1%. Five decades later, Kids First spans 184,000 sq ft, serves 25,000 weekly visits, and is the playbook gym owners travel to learn.

In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, Jeff reveals the 1% growth theory that quietly compounds, and how owning your real estate (in the right demographics) can transform your wealth and your sleep. He also breaks down the leadership shift from hub-and-spoke control to true delegation, why mistakes are mandatory for growth, and how core values and open-book management turn teams into owners of the outcome.

In this Episode 👇🏻

03:13 Building Kids First Sports Center

08:00 Philosophy on Growth and Real Estate

21:12 Evaluating and Expanding Programs

32:22 Decentralization and Business Growth

35:22 Allowing Room for Failure

39:47 Introduction to Small Business Bootcamp

43:10 Core Strategies for Business Success

49:56 The Importance of Core Values

55:16 Transparency and Open Book Management

I’ll be in Ohio with Jeff for Small Business Bootcamp Nov 13th-17th for total immersion, all-inclusive, and laser-focused on building a generational business.

Email [email protected] or visit https://metzgerbootcamp.com/

The hidden lessons of gym ownership and the surprising story behind Pop and Hold’s fully customized mission.

In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, Julie Gelsinger shares what most gym owners overlook when it comes to creating a thriving ninja community from the importance of first impressions to building lasting buy-in from families.

She also reveals the unexpected way Pop and Hold began, and why its mission is centered on fully customized holds and awards designed for the unique needs of each gym. What started as one creative spark has grown into a brand equipping gyms, athletes, and parents with tools that educate, inspire, and train.

In this Episode 👇🏻

00:24 Julie's Background and Career

00:49 Starting the Ninja Gym Journey

04:31 Lessons in Gym Ownership & Community Building

17:06 Educating the Community about Ninja

22:31 The Birth of Pop and Hold

31:44 Involvement with WNL

37:11 Future of Ninja Competitions

42:17 Balancing Life and Business

Learn more about Pop and Hold here- https://www.ninja-logic.com/shop

From the brink of suicide… to building the most beloved ninja competition in America 🥷✝️

When Mike Cook lost over million and nearly ended his life, he never imagined God would give him a mission that would unite the ninja world. What started as a few obstacles in his backyard has grown into Ultimate Backyard Warrior (UBW) one of the most faith fueled, community driven competitions in the sport.

In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, Mike opens up about the lowest point of his life, the exact moment God stepped in, and how that led to a mission that combines high level ninja competition with a platform to bring people to Christ.

You’ll hear how UBW evolved from a homemade course to a professional gym experience, the generosity and support that shaped its growth, and the strategies that keep sponsors and athletes coming back year after year.

In this Episode 👇🏻

00:30 Mike Cook’s Journey to Ninja Warrior

18:48 The Birth of UBW Competitions

25:42 Future Plans for UBW

28:12 Building a Community of Young Ninjas

34:33 From Backyard to Professional Gym

39:36 Memorial Day Competitions and Future Plans

46:14 Sponsorship Strategies and Success Stories

Learn more about UBW here- https://www.facebook.com/ubwfit/

What happens when a preschool gymnastics coach goes all-in on ninja? Reece Ohara helped transform Queen City Ninja from a side program into a thriving 500+ student department, and now he’s leading the charge to bring the industry together with Ninja Connect. The very first ninja specific industry conference happening Aug 22-24th.

In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to build a successful ninja program from the ground up, why most gyms stumble early, and the intentional pivot that changed everything for his team.

We also dive into the power of business analytics, investing in your staff, and how Ninja Connect was born to give gym owners and program directors the tools they’ve been missing.

🎧 In this episode..

00:32 Reese's Journey into Ninja

03:06 The Pivot to Full On Ninja Program

05:22 Growth and Success of Queen City Ninja

06:49 Training and Connecting with Coaches

08:12 Ninja Connect Conference

16:15 Importance of Business Analytics

➡️ Want to Join Reese and I with other top industry leaders in person?

Join us Aug 22–24 in Cincinnati for Ninja Connect.

🎟️ Info + tickets: https://www.kidsfirstsports.com/ninja-connect

Join our free facebook group for Ninja tips and tricks for owners and managers 👇🏻

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ninjagymacademysimplesolutions

Justin Conway wasn’t looking to build a business, he just wanted to train like the athletes he saw on G4 with his son. But when there were no ninja gyms, no obstacles, and no community… he built it himself.

From late-night ninja sessions in his apartment to launching World Ninja Sport, Justin’s journey is a blueprint for dreamers who start with what they have. We talk training, business, DIY builds, and the community that’s grown around his vision.

In this episode 👇🏻

02:11 The Birth of World Ninja Sport

02:26 Competing on American Ninja Warrior

04:20 Evolution of Ninja as a Sport and Industry

20:08 World Ninja Sports: Mission and Services

21:25 Building Safe and Effective Ninja Gyms

22:33 Common Mistakes in Home Ninja Builds

31:20 The Impact of Ninja on My Life

Who really decides the future of Ninja?

If you're a gym owner, coach, athlete, or ninja parent, this is a conversation you don't want to miss and be apart of.

We hosted the Ninja Industry Roundtable to address one of the most pressing issues in our sport: the World Ninja League’s exclusivity clause and the long-term impact it could have on gym freedom, athlete opportunity, and the growth of ninja as a whole.

Leaders from the Ninja Industry and top-performing gyms came together for a raw, honest, and constructive conversation about what the ninja community truly needs. Thank you to all of you who were involved in this to show up last minute and speak your opinion.

What are your thoughts? Comment below on how this affects you 👇🏻

Watch or listen to the full roundtable now

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7qpNQDxxEfaIlTrLQQcGlF?si=3e71b407a452497b

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEcYjXnwhHegC9aDGsarU1w

Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ninjagymacademysimplesolutions

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ninjas-way/id1748450296

Take Action:

✍️ Sign the Petition https://chng.it/BmK6hRHPSy

📩 Submit Feedback Directly to WNL https://worldninjaleague.org/wnl-statement/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLsa4tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp583Eo-sHuSZ4IEzxwpPEzJRcCY5tr4w8USS7Y-b1oY8EFlYtKoZiDB4uWTj_aem_RDNs90lsFvXus0rtZPfIGQ

This isn’t about sides. It’s about building a better future for the sport we love, one built on freedom, fairness, and collaboration.

In this episode 👇🏻

01:22 The Exclusivity Clause: A Long-Standing Issue

05:06 Gym Owners' Perspectives on the Exclusivity Clause

06:29 The Role and Impact of Leagues on Gyms

11:10 Profitability and Challenges of Hosting Competitions

16:54 WNL's Statement on Exclusivity Policy

29:05 Comparing Different Leagues and Their Policies

35:59 Parents' and Athletes' Perspectives

42:10 Gym Standards and League Policies

44:58 Potential Solutions and Gym Unity

51:48 Safety Standards and Parental Concerns

If you care about this issue..Like, Subscribe and share with your ninja community.

When one building closed, Glenn and Melissa Davis opened a new chapter one that would change their community. From Glenn’s decades of gymnastics coaching to Melissa discovering her athletic side at 46, The Rig Ninja Gym is rooted in faith, grit, and community.

This episode takes you behind the scenes of how they turned setbacks into momentum, filled their classes in a town where “nobody thought it would work,” and created a space where everyone from kids to master athletes can find belonging and strength.

You’ll hear how they’ve trained through injury, built culture on purpose, and stayed connected to what really matters.. helping people believe it’s possible.

In this Episode 👇🏻

01:14 Glen's Journey into Ninja Sports

04:01 Melissa's Path to Becoming a Ninja

04:31 The Growth of Ninja Gyms Across the Country

09:49 The Community Impact of Ninja Gyms

15:14 Building a Culture of Support and Camaraderie

18:25 The Evolution of Ninja Competitions

19:49 Unique Aspects of The Rig Gym

25:46 Balancing Business and Personal Life

27:34 Advice for Aspiring Ninja Gym Owners

Learn more about The Rig Ninja Gym here- https://www.theriggym.com/