Q&A's

Jess Wombles '28 is a film major who competed on Season 18 of American Ninja Warrior, her fourth time appearing on the reality game show competition, airing in June.

What inspired you to become an American Ninja Warrior?

I was a pretty fearless kid — and weirdly strong for a 10-year-old. I was at my neighbor’s house one night, and her parents were watching it on TV; then they called me over, saying I needed to come look. I was a gymnast at the time and was convinced that I could clear the course.

What was the try-out process like?

The year that I started training at the gym was the first year that they came out with American Ninja Warrior Junior, so I tried out for that first. But I was, like, 12, and was not good on camera at all. My submission video was literally me reading off a journal. I didn’t get in that time, but I kept training and applied again the next year, and I got in. It was crazy because my parents were, like, ‘Jess, this is a TV show. You can’t get your hopes up; this just doesn’t happen.’ Um, well, it did. Then right after I did the junior season, I turned 15 and was accepted into the adult league for season 14.

Tell me about your first experience competing on the show.

I was really nervous, especially because a lot of the kids and teachers at my school told me they were going to watch. When I was about to go on and they called my name as the next contestant, I actually passed out. They had to rearrange the order; then this psychologist came up to me on a scooter and poured ice water on my face. I just didn’t know how to handle something so big, but all my friends that I made on set rushed to cheer me up and distract me. Eventually, I was, like, ‘I did not come all the way here to lose my chance.’ ... There’s always the same guy at the starting line who sends everyone off, so I asked him to tell me a joke. Every time I’ve competed since then, I always ask him for a joke right before I run the course.

Do you remember what the joke was?

It went something like, ‘Why did the skeleton go to the party alone? Because he had no body to go with.’

What has the journey been like since then?

The course changes every year with a new set of obstacles, and the balance obstacle has always kicked my butt. But when I got past the balance challenge on Season 17, the next obstacle was so fun. It was three tilted wheels that you hang onto as they spin, and you have to throw yourself six feet over to the next one. Honestly, all of them are really fun. But it’s hard to think about in the moment because I’m so nervous, and I know I’m going to eventually face plant.

How has being on the show influenced some of the other things in your life?

When I went on Ninja Warrior Junior the first time, I loved to be on camera, so I decided to major in film. It was so magical being on a set and seeing everyone run around with their headsets and clipboards with cameras everywhere, on rigs and on cranes. I just loved seeing how it all worked behind the scenes. Originally, I wanted to be an actor. Then I realized that I’m horrible at memorizing lines; I’m better behind the camera now. Just this past season, I was walking up to everyone asking, ‘What’s your job? What do you do?’ because I was so curious.

What do you want to do in film?

I would love to be a director or a cinematographer. However, my main passion lies with theme park design. I’m always at the parks in Orlando, and my dream job is to work for the in-house filming agency at Universal. They do all their documentaries about the parks and their commercials, so that’d be a perfect way to combine my interests.

— Madeline McMahon M.A. ’24