NBC’s American Ninja Warrior has long celebrated resilience, strength, and heart and this season, two trailblazing athletes are making sure that trans visibility is part of that legacy. Clayton and Jenson, the first out trans men to be featured on the hit competition series, are using their platform to redefine what it means to compete, represent, and inspire.
For Clayton, competing on American Ninja Warrior was about more than physical strength. “When people find out you’re trans, they usually see a label or assume weakness,” he shared. “But for me, being transgender has been the most powerful part of my story. It’s what taught me to stand up for myself, to choose my own path, to become the man I am.”
Though new to the sport, Clayton trained relentlessly to prepare for his run, knowing he wasn’t just competing for himself. “Getting to show up as my full self on national TV… that’s not just for me.,” he said. “That’s for every kid who’s been made to feel like they’re too different to chase something great.”
Jenson, who first appeared on the show in Season 10 before coming out publicly, returned this season with a renewed sense of purpose. “Doing it now, in 2025, hits differently,” he said. “In a year where trans visibility and our right to exist have been under attack, it felt more important than ever to step up, be seen, and remind people that trans folks belong everywhere including in sports.”
Reflecting on the journey since his first appearance, Jenson added: “Transitioning has changed my life for the better in ways I can’t fully put into words. Back in 2018, I was still finding my voice. Now, even with the current backlash against trans people, I feel more grounded in who I am and more committed than ever to sharing my story.”
Their presence on the show is a powerful rebuttal to narratives that question trans participation in sports. “Ninja isn’t about gender. It’s about heart,” said Clayton. “No one asked if I was trans when I hit the course, they saw how hard I trained and how much I showed up for myself.”
Both athletes hope their visibility will inspire the next generation. “You don’t need anyone’s permission to chase big dreams,” Clayton said. “Just the courage to take that first step.” Jenson added, “Find people who believe in you, start wherever you are, and don’t let anyone tell you what your future should look like. Being trans is part of your strength.”
As Season 17 continues, these two history-makers remind audiences that trans joy, strength, and excellence are unstoppable and that everyone deserves the chance to compete, to thrive, and to be seen.
American Ninja Warrior airs Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and is available to stream the next day on Peacock.
