Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with American Ninja Warrior’s Joe Moravsky

Joe Moravsky is a real-life ninja who’s built a legacy as one of the toughest and most consistent competitors on American Ninja Warrior. The Ninja Weatherman made it all the way to Stage 3 in his rookie season and has been the last man standing twice. His incredible runs and charming personality have made him a fan-favorite, and he’s making it easier than ever to connect with him, joining Starsona, a platform that brings celebrities and fans together. Pop Culturalist spoke with Joe about Starsona, how he prepares for American Ninja Warrior, and learned his favorite and most dreaded obstacles.

PC: Tell us about Starsona and how you got involved with the platform.
Joe: My friend actually told me about the company and what they’re doing. It’s an awesome idea! I’ve had a lot of fun connecting and interacting with fans.

PC: What is your favorite thing about the platform?
Joe: I love the ability to send personalized videos to fans in the U.S. I’m hoping it’ll expand to the rest of the world because I’ve had a few requests from other countries. It’s really cool because everything is done on the app. I’ve used it a few times and it’s really easy.

PC: You’ve built this massive following as a result of your incredible runs on American Ninja Warrior. Did you have any expectations heading into your first season?
Joe: I feel similar to a lot of good athletes in that I believe in myself and I trust my abilities. The only difference for whatever reason is that I seem to capitalize on those moments and I don’t really know why. I’ve been trying to figure that out for six years. What makes me different than someone who may be stronger or smarter? What takes me and my abilities to the next level? There has to be some “it” factor that we haven’t figured out yet, but when someone has it, they have it.


That term has been tossed around the sports world. Some people have this mind/body fluidity where they can do what they need to do, when they need to do it. That’s kind of where I am at. I feel like going into my first season on American Ninja Warrior, I had that under my belt. It doesn’t matter what sport you throw me in or what level I’m at, I’ll put up a fight. Of course, if I go up against some professional basketball player who’s 6’8”, I’m not going to have a good time, but I’m still going to put up a fight. One of the keys to my success on American Ninja Warrior is that I’m a well-rounded athlete. I played basketball, baseball, soccer, and cross country in high school.

In college, I tried out for the baseball team. I made the team and then quit because I realized I’d have to juggle a job, meteorology, and a sport. I knew I had to give up something. It was all just too much because I had to pay my way through college, so I gave up the thing that I love the most, which was sports. I couldn’t believe it. But, everything happens for a reason and here I am today because of the choices I’ve made.

PC: You’ve built this legacy as one of the top competitors/athletes. Does that add extra pressure as you head into a new season?
Joe: Not anymore. There’s the same amount of pressure that there’s always been, but I’d say right after my first season, yes, there was tons of pressure coming back for my second season. I didn’t want people thinking it was a fluke or that I got lucky. I wanted to show people that I was consistent and that I knew what I was doing, which I did, but the pressure was certainly there. It made it more difficult, but I think I’ve become accustomed to the pressure well enough at this point that I know what to expect. I don’t know what obstacles I’ll face, but I know how I’m going to feel. The first step is always the hardest, but like anything, you go out and attack. It’s like how in high school or college, you’re nervous right before the test, and then once you get started, you relax and start focusing. It’s the same idea when it comes to this type of sport: once you get fully immersed in what you’re doing, you shut down your mind of anything but the most basic, instinctive motions—you start to do what you do and that’s what I have to remind myself. One of my mottos is, “Just do what you do.” Let your body take over and just do it.


PC: Do you have a favorite obstacle and one that you dread?
Joe: [laughs] My favorite obstacle is the double salmon ladder. You carry a bar with you, then you transfer to the other side, and you go back and forth. That’s probably one of my favorite obstacles. It’s super difficult, but a lot of fun—at least once you get comfortable doing it, it’s fun. I always remind myself when I’m on the course to have fun because once you stop having fun, why are you doing it?

Most hated? I would say it’s the obstacle I fell on during my very first season: The Floating Boards. They’re these four boards that are hung vertically by chains and you have to traverse across the boards using your hands and your feet, without grabbing the top of the boards. You have to grab the sides. It’s super difficult to do because you’re relying just on your pinch strength and how much grip your shoes have. It’s really tough and definitely not my favorite.

Photo Credit: Adam Bettcher/NBC

PC: How do you prepare for each season?
Joe: I feel like it’s slowly changing over the years, but right now I would definitely say it’s very important for me to mentally prepare myself each season. I used to mentally prepare myself way too early; for example, if the season ends in June, I’m usually ready to go in July for the next season, which can be six to eight months later. Preparing that soon will wear on you mentally, so that’s something that I’ve tried fixing over the years.


It’s good to be motivated, but you need to train your brain to relax and honestly, something I’ve done over the years now is I’ve taken more breaks. My body isn’t getting younger; it’s getting older. I’m trying to find the balance between family life, my jobs, and American Ninja Warrior. I know it sounds cliché, but family truly is the most important thing.

As far as training, I mentally prepare, and then I do what I need to do, which is pull-ups and rock climbing. Those are the two main things I need to succeed on the show. It’s almost like Lebron James is one of the greats that’s currently playing basketball. Of course, he goes to the gym and shoots around, but at this point, he’s not going be taking thousands of shots during the season. He’s going to be preparing himself mentally. He’s going to take breaks because he knows that he’s in this for the long haul. So, that’s kind of where I’m at with American Ninja Warrior.

PC: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned having competed on American Ninja Warrior?
Joe: The biggest lesson that I’ve learned is not to be overconfident. It’s good to be confident, but the second you start thinking that you have this obstacle in the bag and start thinking about the next one, well, you’re going to fall.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Favorite TV show?
Joe: Shark Tank is one of my favorite shows on TV. I also enjoy American Ninja Warrior: Juniors on Universal Kids. It’s a lot of fun. I watched it this past weekend and I was like, “What? How did they just do that?” I’m freaking out over here and I can only imagine what’s going through these kids’ heads. I couldn’t believe how fluidly they move at their age and how confident they were.


PC: Favorite movie?
Joe: I would say the one movie that really got my flipping, gymnastics, parkour career started was The Matrix. I love the whole Matrix trilogy. I also love all the Avengers and Harry Potter movies!


PC: Favorite book?
Joe: All the Harry Potter books.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Joe: I’m going old-school with Grease!

PC: Hidden talent?
Joe: I can juggle.

Make sure to follow Joe on Twitter and Instagram, and get your personalized video from him on Starsona.