When did you start free running and what inspired you to give it a go?
I started before I can even remember. When I was seven or eight, I used to jump off of the roof into our backyard for fun. When my parents found out they struck a deal with me that I could only jump if I had them come watch me to it first so I didn’t hurt myself. I’m pretty sure they knew I would’ve done it anyways and this was the only way they could make sure I didn’t get really hurt!
Ethan Swanson manages the Ultimate Ninjas Chicago gym.
Have you always been an athletic person and if so what other sports have you been involved in?
I loved playing any kind of sport growing up. I was really into soccer, and then in high school I started practicing gymnastics and rock climbing. But really I would play anything. I think that is why I love ninja warrior and free running so much, because it feels like there is always another challenge or skill to work on. There is so much variety!
Ethan started competing in American Ninja Warrior five years ago.
What is it about free running that makes you tick?
I’m obsessed with the limits of the mind. A lot of things in life are only obstacles because people perceive them as such. Free running is really mental because there will always be risk of injury, but when you practice enough and condition yourself to trust your skills and training then you overcome those boundaries that you may have set for yourself.
Ethan shows what he can do in front of a live audience.
Tell us about some of your parkour highlights and where in this world has the sport taken you?
Definitely my biggest highlight was a video I collaborated with GoPro on in Chicago. I jump off of a 4 story building onto the opposite side of an A-frame, slide down and shoot a gap into a spiral staircase, landing on the ground. It was really mental, but I knew it was possible, and it actually took months of planning to make sure I had everything right.
Tell us about competing on the American Ninja Warrior TV Shows?
I started competing on American Ninja Warrior in season 6, which was five years ago. It has become my life. I now manage a Ninja gym called Ultimate Ninjas in Chicago, where I get to pursue my passion every day. I made it to Stage 2 in season 8, which was my best year. It’s so mental because you can’t make any mistakes or your season is over. Plus, you only get a shot once every year!!! I love the pressure of competing on the show, including the highs and lows between hitting buzzers or making a splash a little too early.
The world of freerunning and stunts provides plenty of opportunities for a joke and laugh.
Where can our readers learn more about you and watch your videos?
I’m most active on Instagram at @ethanswanson and also YouTube as Ethan Swanson.
What exciting plans or projects are you working towards the rest of the year and beyond?
Haha! I have a few ideas that are in the works to be potentially even more nerve wracking than anything I’ve done to date. I have to make sure everything works out on paper first, which is a HUGE process for me. There can’t be any loose ends, but if I pull these off I’m sure you’ll hear about it!
Ethan pictured with colleagues on American Ninja.
Tell us about your role at the Ultimate Ninjas Gym?
I’m the Course Manager, which means I’m in charge of everything Ninja!! I’m at the gym for every class, and develop our programs, curriculum, and safety measures. I couldn’t be luckier or happier to have this job. I’m so passionate about movement, so it’s pretty amazing to be able to share that with kids and adults alike. Come out to Ultimate Ninjas and train with me for sure!
One thing I always harp on is that failure is a constant. Everyone fails- successful CEO’s, professional athletes, friends, family, etc. What we need to focus on is how to build off of those failures. Don’t be ashamed of them; EMBRACE them, and LEARN from them. The reason I’m able to do some of the things I do is because I’ve failed so many times so I can succeed in the future.
