KC native Greg Justice proves age is no limit in American Ninja Warrior debut

When you picture the course of American Ninja Warrior featuring daunting obstacles like the Quad Steps, the Spin Cycle, the Lunatic Ledges, or even the dreaded Warped Wall, you might imagine it to be a young person’s game.

But for 64-year-old Kansas City native Greg Justice, aging doesn’t mean he has to get old, too.

Season 17 of American Ninja Warrior is all about looking toward the future and celebrating the past. Justice is no exception, as he’s using his platform to advocate a healthy lifestyle for people of older ages.

“It really was just a message of empowerment and showing that your best years are not behind you,” Justice says. “You want to train for independence so you’re able to do things on your own, play with your grandkids, and, you know, live your life without assistance from others.”

As the oldest contestant in his qualifying group, age became no limit for Justice, even as he contended with competitors as young as 15 years old.

“When I stepped on the stage to do my run, I looked down that line of what was in front of me and I just smiled,” Justice says. “In my head, I had zero reservations. I was not nervous in the least. I was so ready. I was just excited and ready to go.”

Since the season was filmed late last year, Justice has sat on the results for months, so he’s eager to share his experience with his family and friends who supported his journey when the episode airs Monday night.

“They have been so supportive and so excited for me,” Justice says. “The lead-up has been really amazing. The whole organization, American Ninja Warrior NBC, has been nothing but supportive, and it has been truly one of the most amazing experiences that I’ve ever been fortunate to be part of.

“I’ve had to keep my mouth closed about what happens for about 10 months now, and so I’m ready for it to be out to the world,” Justice says.

Although it’s Justice’s rookie season on ANW, his fitness journey started at eight years old when he first fell in love with exercise and competition. In the decades that followed, Justice dedicated his life to spreading his gospel of fitness and nutrition.

In 1986, Justice opened Kansas City’s first personal training center, AYC Health & Fitness. Entering its 40th year of business, AYC is a training center without membership fees or an open gym, just a private studio space to work with a personal trainer.

Justice found his inspiration early into his career when the late Jack LaLanne became his mentor. Before his ANW debut, quotes from LaLanne ran through Justice’s head.

“Jack liked to say, ‘your health account and your bank account are the same; the more you put in, the more you can take out,’” Justice says. “And I have made so many deposits of good health throughout the years, every time you work out, every time you eat, right, you’re depositing something into your health account. And I was able to take a big withdrawal out that night when I ran the American Ninja course.”

Even without having his episode aired yet, Justice is already looking forward to his next season on ANW.

“It was an experience that I will remember forever, and hopefully it’s just the first of many times that I will do this,” Justice says.

The episode featuring Justice airs Monday night at 7 p.m. CT on NBC.