We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Madelyn Scarpulla a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Madelyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

Did you know that Ninja Warrior is an official sport? The World Ninja League (WNL) is the governing body for the sport of Ninja and all three of my gyms – New York City Ninja Academy, Brooklyn Ninja Academy and Los Angeles Ninja Academy – are sanctioned WNL facilities that host ninja competitions and train a competitive kids ninja team.

The New York City Ninja Academy Team features some of the top athletes in the sport, including Malone Canter, the Number One Preteen Female in the World Ninja League in 2024. Malone got her start in Ninja at New York City Ninja Academy at the young age of 12.

Malone is a role model for her teammates, a shining example of excellence in work ethic and sportsmanship, and an inspiration to ninjas of all ages. Malone is also a junior coach at New York City Ninja Academy and loves to share her knowledge and skill by teaching, coaching, and spotting some of our younger ninjas. She particularly loves coaching “Mini Ninjas,” future ninjas ages 3 to 5 years old.

Working with Malone, helping her to grow and achieve results as a ninja athlete has been rewarding for our entire staff. We all feel a part of her success. We are looking forward to discovering and nuturing new talent at our Los Angeles location. Being able to provide young athletes with the tools, environment, and support they need to succeed is our mission.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Los Angeles Ninja Academy, the first dedicated ninja warrior obstacle training facility in LA. It’s a state of the art 7000 square foot facility, centrally located where Interstate 405 meets California 90.

I’m the owner of Los Angeles Ninja Academy, and I also own and operate two other successful locations, New York City Ninja Academy and Brooklyn Ninja Academy, and plan to bring my sophisticated ninja training program to the west coast. We have created a close-knit community of talented ninja athletes in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. It has been very rewarding to witness friendships blossom and athletic milestones achieved as a result of our ninja program. In Manhattan our competitive team has doubled in size since last year, and the current #1 Preteen Female in the world, Malone Canter, is an inspiration to all our ninjas. The Brooklyn competitive team is new this year, but they ended their season in the top ranks of the World Ninja League Tier 2 league. I’m thrilled to bring the first World Ninja League sanctioned ninja training facility to Los Angeles, and I’m proud to create another welcoming and supportive community of athletes to the sport of ninja warrior.

Los Angeles Ninja Academy teaches ninjas of all levels how to conquer uniquely designed, challenging, and exciting ninja warrior obstacles that mimic those on the popular NBC television show, American Ninja Warrior. Ninjas learn new skills and techniques for climbing, swinging, agility, balance, strength, and of course the iconic Warped Wall. Obstacles rotate each week, so ninjas are challenged in new ways every time they visit. Participants will eventually tackle obstacles with increasing difficulty and will learn strategies to conquer an entire obstacle course. Ninja warrior training is a thrilling physical and mental challenge an innovative approach to setting, achieving, and surpassing fitness and mental goals.

Los Angeles Ninja Academy offers kids programs for ages 6-12 after school and on weekends, training for teens and adults, advanced sessions to prepare athletes interested in competition, as well as private lessons, corporate team building events, and kids birthday parties on weekends. Special guest ninja coaches including American Ninja Warrior veterans will make appearances for private advanced training.

The multiple Emmy nominated hit NBC television show American Ninja Warrior debuted in 2009. Their 16th season premiered June 3. The action-packed series follows ninja warrior competitors as they tackle a series of challenging obstacles courses, with the goal of winning a million-dollar prize. The growing popularity of the show among kids and adults alike has created a demand for ninja warrior obstacle training facilities, which are currently few and far between.

Los Angeles Ninja Academy’s Lead Ninja Coach and Program Director, Daniella Blanchard has appeared on American Ninja Warrior Season 16 and currently holds the #1 Adult Female World Champion and Strongest Ninja Titles (among other medals) in the World Ninja League Season IX Championships in June and took first place in both the Northeast and New England Regional Championships. She has been coaching kids and adults the sport of ninja for over three years in New York at Westchester Ninjas, Empire Ninja, and New York City Ninja Academy. Now she’s excited to bring her passion for the sport to the west coast. Daniella’s favorite obstacles are cliffhangers and vertical limits – she loves grip strength challenges!

As far as for me, I’m a long-time music industry professional with a diverse background in marketing, creative services, and business development. I’ve held senior positions at several major and independent record labels, and a major-market radio station, and I made the bold decision to open my first ninja warrior training facility in 2019. I spent my entire previous career applying my business savvy and creative energy to benefit others in corporate environments. Opening New York City Ninja Academy and Brooklyn Ninja Academy allowed me to combine my entrepreneurial skills with my life-long passion for athletics to create a community staple for families and athletes in New York City. Now, I’m excited to bring the sport of ninja warrior to Los Angeles in the same spirit.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

For my first business, I secured a small business loan through a local bank. The process was not easy, but the bank was very supportive and helped me through the complicated process. They even featured me as a small business owner on their Instagram! For my second location, I secured a small(er) business loan from the same institution. The first two locations did so well that I chose not to finance the third location, and I just stretched as thinly as possible to open the third using cash from both. It was risky, but if the pattern repeats itself, we will be on solid ground with all 3 businesses. Beyond the three locations, I would definitely take a different approach.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I didn’t “have to” pivot – I chose to pivot. I had spent a long and successful career in the music business in marketing and promotion for various record labels, artists, and a major market radio station. It was a tremendous career and I loved every minute of it, and learned a great deal. But with the corporatization (is that a word?) of the music business, came a sterile and harsh environment that stifled creativity, encouraged sycophantic behavior, and was no longer fun.

Pivoting to ninja warrior was the way that I combined my other passion – sports – with my business and marketing skills. I created an opportunity for myself to do what I had done by joining the music business so many years ago – forge my own path with hard work and passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laninjas.com
• Instagram: losangeles_ninja
• Facebook: LosAngelesNinjaAcademy

Image Credits

Jeremy Danger
Sarah Madison