Grand Opening

Saturday was a dream come true!!

I have been working on this dream for about 2 years and to see if finally happen was just amazing.

On Saturday, I had so many people show up to support me. I had family come in from Carlsbad and Houston. Ninja friends from Dallas, Austin, Houston and Albuquerque. I even had the person I didn't think would show up, be there.

That morning, I woke up and I knew it was the grand opening, but it didn't feel real.

I went to take a shower and that was when it hit me that this was very real.

It also hit me that my dad would not be there to see this.

We started off with a prayer before the ribbon cutting. That was super important to me because without God, none of this would have happened.

My speech took me awhile to get done and I was really happy with the way it came out.

Below is my speech:

I want to welcome you all to the Grand Opening of the Permian Basin Ninja Academy.

Midland’s first Ninja Warrior training facility. I want to thank everyone for coming out

today to support the gym. I have dreamt of this moment for the last 3 ½ years and today

it finally comes true. No amount of thank you’s will ever be enough to everyone who

made this happen. You all have no idea how grateful I am to you.

I have a long list of thank you’s- My family who drove all the way from Carlsbad to come

help paint and clean in the very beginning, believing that I could do this and cheering

me on every step of the way. My mom who has constantly been there for me every step

of the way with this and helping me when I need it the most. Mike for helping move all

the mats and pushing me to never give up. The competitive parents who came and

helped paint the obstacles and lay mats a week before opening day. Cara and Lance for

staying late and helping build what I like to call my parent playpen. My Ninja Source

and Arnold for building the entire rig and all the equipment and coming to Midland

multiple times to help me get up and running. Barry for all the tools and coming late to

help paint. Karsten, Carly, Eric and all the Ninjas who drove from Albuquerque,

Houston, Austin and Dallas over here to be a part of this moment with me. I love the

Ninja community for that reason. You make lifelong friends because of this sport.

The two very important people who helped make this a possibility. My business partner

and cousin, Buc and his family. He believed in this a couple years ago and told me

when I was ready to pull the trigger that he would be there. I especially want to thank

the family that donated all of the equipment for this space. For someone to believe in

me that much makes me extremely grateful.

Last but not least I would like to thank God. Last January, what I thought was a no was

a not yet and I have learned in the last year to trust his timing. I prayed and prayed

about this and he put people in my life to help make my dream a reality. I truly believe

this is his plan for me and I will gladly and gratefully accept that role.

I want this space to encompass everything Ninja stands for. I want it to be a place

where your athletes can come and enjoy themselves and feel supported. A place where

everyone cheers for everyone like they do at competitions. This is fun for all ages and it

doesn’t matter if you’re 6 or 60. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Here’s to a journey that I am excited to share with West Texas. I hope you love it as

much as I do.

This ribbon cutting is dedicated to someone who cannot be here with us, but I know he is

watching over me all the time. He has always supported my ninja journey from the very

beginning and I know he’d be saying, “I am proud of you my little Ninja.” So, here’s to

you Pops. We did it.

The last part was the hardest to get through. I know that my Dad isn't here and he is watching over me but I still wanted him there. I wanted to see that look on his face when he saw my dream come true.

Sometimes when we lose people, we forget about those that are still with us and often times I do forget that.

My mom has been my rock throughout this along with Mike. They both have been beyond supportive.

Not only that but my siblings have been completely amazing to help through all of this.

I truly was blessed with such an amazing support system.

I want this to succeed so much so that people have a small outlet for that hour.

It's been a really amazing journey for me and I know that God isn't done with me yet.

I am excited to see what he has in store for me.