Precerpt from Grandma's Ninja Training Diary: Rebellion

Entry: The Rebel Days

Training like a ninja isn't just about grit—it's also about grace. And grace, my friends, includes rebellion.

Every ten months or so, something inside me throws down the towel. Not the sweaty gym towel, mind you—that one I hang up neatly after a workout. No, this is a different kind of gesture. It’s the inner rebel saying: Enough of the schedule. Enough of the daily "gimnastika." Enough of the push.

I go on strike. A quiet, stealthy strike. Sometimes the excuse is legitimate—kids sick, household on high alert, publishing deadlines stacked like pancakes. Sometimes it’s the more subtle voice that whispers, You don’t have to be heroic today.

And I listen. I skip the gym. I ditch the floor routine. I play hooky.

Sure, guilt tries to creep in. It likes to disguise itself as discipline. But over time, I’ve learned to spot it. That guilt isn't a truth-teller—it's just noise. Because here’s the real truth: rebellion is part of balance.

Training isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. Emotional intelligence means knowing when your body says “yes” and when it pleads “not today.” And sometimes, respecting that plea is the strongest move of all.

After five years, I’ve seen the arc: I rebel, then I return. Nothing breaks. Nothing crumbles. The ninja path remains. One skipped day, one missed week—it doesn’t erase commitment. It reinforces it with compassion. And muscles don't give up the ghost; they recoup.

So if you're out there training with vigor, don’t be afraid of your rebel days. They might just be the breath your discipline needs to stay alive.

Keep moving—when it's time.

Grandma’s Ninja Training Diary is the inspiring true story of a 75-year-old grandmother who dares to dream big—by training for American Ninja Warrior. Teaming up with coach and trainer Brittany Renz, she embarks on a three-year journey to build strength, resilience, flexibility, balance, and endurance—starting from scratch.

Told in a dynamic mix of diary entries, coaching insights, and behind-the-scenes reflections, this book chronicles the ups and downs of late-in-life athletic training. From gym workouts to rock climbing, yoga to injury recovery, sleep to mindset—every aspect of the transformation is explored with honesty and humor.

Grandma shares what she’s learning; Coach Brittany explains why she’s right—or wrong. Together, they offer a realistic, encouraging look at what it takes to pursue an extraordinary goal at any age.

Part training manual, part motivational memoir, Grandma’s Ninja Training Diary is packed with practical tips for readers over 50 who want to improve their fitness, health, and confidence. You’ll also get insider insights into the world of American Ninja Warrior, strategies for balancing real life with ambitious goals, and hard-won wisdom about success, failure, and the joy of simply showing up.

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