Master Mindset and Movement: How Jonathan Godbout Excels in Ninja Warrior and Life - Health Movement

"Start Where You Suck": Jonathan Godbout on Ninja Warrior, Flow State, and the Power of Being a Beginner

What does it take to compete on American Ninja Warrior, play in two bands, coach 20+ clients, and still find time to learn new skills just for fun? For Jonathan Godbout, the answer is simple: a love for progress — not perfection.

In Episode 54 of The Health Movement Podcast, Jonathan shares his incredible journey from falling in love with Ninja at age 12 to now competing in Season 17 of American Ninja Warrior — airing July 21st on NBC.

“I actually seek out new skills that I’m terrible at.”

For Jonathan, it’s not about always being the best — it’s about showing up, especially when you’re new, awkward, and far from elite. That mindset has helped him thrive as a trainer, athlete, and musician.

From hitting buzzers on national television to playing high-energy shows with his bands Midnight Riders and Covalent, Jonathan’s life is driven by discipline, creativity, and a deep respect for the learning process.

He breaks down how he balances Ninja with strength training and rock climbing, how he prevents injuries through smart shoulder work, and how “flow state” helps him stay calm whether he’s running a course or improvising a drum solo in front of 200 people.

“If you overthink it, you mess up. You just have to do.”

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
 ✅ The reality of filming Ninja Warrior late at night under blinding lights
✅ How Jonathan writes programs for Ninja athletes to prevent injuries
✅ Why he believes flow state is key to both peak performance and fun
✅ The way music, fitness, and mindset all overlap in his world

Whether you’re a beginner, a coach, or someone chasing mastery in any area of life, this episode is a reminder: being bad at something is the best way to get good at it.

🎧 Listen to the full episode with Jonathan Godbout on YouTube or any podcast platform.
 📺 Catch him on American Ninja Warrior Season 17, airing July 21st
📸 Follow Jonathan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_godbout/
🎶 Check out his bands: Midnight Riders (https://www.instagram.com/midnightriders.band/) + Covalent (https://www.instagram.com/covalent_ma/)
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