Suzanne Himka is a woman who desires to live life to the fullest. She has travelled the nation and inspired people of all ages. She is a wife, mother of four, certified strength & ninja coach, fitness teacher, personal trainer, motivational speaker and now even a proud grandmother and known as “Ninja Granny Beast” She has competed and won on “American Gladiators”, and is top five strongest ninja in the world, top five in world taekwondo champion and has claimed the title of OCR World champion in her age division. Her greatest passion is sharing how awesome God is and combining that with coaching people to look at the BIG picture and encouraging individuals of all ages to develop mentally, physically and spiritually.
What do you do for a living? What brought you down that path?
I am a ninja warrior fitness instructor and Team Coach for Lost Island Warrior Gym in Colorado Springs
In High school I played every sport you could imagine ( volleyball, basketball, track, tennis, gymnastics, etc) and In college I was a competed as a college level gymnast and then as I got older I got into martial arts and got my black belt in taekwondo at the age of 40 and competed on a world level. I then got into mud racing for fun and entered several obstacle races. I then decided to start building obstacles and running ninja warrior camps for kids all around Colorado springs because it was such a popular TV show, it was very profitable. Then one day I saw a competition called “The Wolfpack Ninja Tour”in Denver with famous American Ninja Warriors I decided to enter with no former training. To my surprise, I ended up winning the whole amateur division and $1000. I then decided it would be wise to train with my youngest daughter so we both joined a ninja warrior team and trained to compete for two years in Castle Rock ( a 45 minute drive from Colorado Springs) and then I got the opportunity to be a part of an amazing gym that opened in Colorado Springs and now I use all the experience to train kids to compete at a world level all across the nation!
Tell us something that makes you stand out from the crowd? This can be a talent, life-experience, unique hobby.
Most people are not aware that I am over 50 years and a grandma and can do the athletic things that I do in the world of ninja, that is why they call me Ninja Granny Beast
What is one experience that has shaped you to be the person you are today?
I was given up for adoption at birth as a biracial child, and my birth mother was only 16. I was raised by a preacher’s family who taught me to live for God, yet I convinced myself at a young age that if my own flesh and blood didn’t want me then who really did, so I spent most of my life trying to be perfect to earn my new families love. I also grew up thinking I didn’t deserve to be loved unless I earned it. I got straight A’s, tried to be the best athlete in sports, excelled in everything. I never let anyone hug me because I thought I didn’t deserve it, even though people loved me. I yearned for love, watched a lot of TV shows where the parents loved their kids like Little House on the Prairie, Brady Bunch, etc and secretly wished I could allow myself to be loved. In college I met a friend who was great at loving people, all people and she kept loving me, even when I continually pushed her away. It was by her persistence that I understood how much God keeps pursuing us and wanting to be close to us, no matter how many times we push Him away. Through the process of being given away and then accepted and loved, despite my resistance I have learned more and more the power of loving people through all their hurts. I was able to find both my parents, embrace them, become friends, and forgive the past of being rejected and share the Love of God with them. Learning how to love and forgive others has been a lifelong process that shapes how I view others and helps me love all kinds of people.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Do not hold grudges. The key to joy and happiness is in the ability to forgive others for their shortcomings and allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes. Failure is a gateway to future success.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? On what and why? (personal or professional)
I spend money on new obstacles, because they challenge me and my students to gain strength
What is the one book that you recommend our audience should read and why?
The best book in the world is the Bible of course because it impacts your life more greatly than any other book ever written, but humanly I really was impacted by “The PAPA Prayer: the prayer you’ve never prayed” by Larry Crabb because it clearly helps you see how to connect with God instead of just asking for a list of things.
What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is “If Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future” and “A smile is a wrinkle that should never be removed”
What local businesses would you recommend our readers support?
Lost Island Warrior is a Christian based outdoor ninja gym with 25,000 square feet of obstacles and a huge outdoor weight gym. It’s the perfect way for kids and adults to play together and get fit! It is located at 1825 Dominion Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 and also has multiple large miniature golf courses and bounce houses!
More information about Lost Island Warrior go to www.liwgym.com
What local nonprofit would you recommend our readers support?
Trinity Fitness is a faith based fitness gym who always puts God first. It is a functional fitness based facility https://coloradosprings.trinityfitness.org Located at 4345 Beverly St, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
What is your most memorable childhood experience? This can be good or bad.
As a child, my dad was a preacher and every year he would get 3 weeks off and our family would drive the car to different states and go camping, visit museums, and see the world. The time in the car was sometimes awful but the memories we made along the way helped me see the world from beyond the little Indiana town we lived in.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
Jesus is my biggest inspiration and Beth Moore is a Christian motivational speaker who travels the nation encouraging women to be all they can be. I love motivational speaking and empowering other women and children to live out their God given potential.
What is one experience that has helped you grow yourself, your business, or your career? Please explain how.
Winning on the popular TV Show “American Gladiators” in Season 7 and winning top age group first place in OCR World Championships in London, England, as well as getting top 5 strongest female master ninjas in the world at National Ninja League has helped gain credibility to now coach my own ninja competitive team. Ninja is the fastest growing sport in America and is hopeful to be in the Olympics in 2028
If you had a superpower what would it be and why?
Super Speed! Like Dash on “the Incredibles” because as a grandma I feel like I am getting slower!
What 3 (only) items would you bring to a deserted island?
Bible, Food, Water
Which are your favorite 5 spots in Colorado?
Lost Island Warrior Gym, Red Rocks, Garden of the Gods, Cottonwood Creek Trail, Manitou Incline
Which is the next destination on your wishlist?
Alaska is the only state of all 50 states that I have not yet been to!