Interview with “The Deaf Ninja” Kyle Schulze
Alex (Daily Moth): Hello Kyle! The Deaf Ninja!
[Video clip of Kyle Schulze walking on the course during the premiere of “American Ninja Warrior” Season 16] CREDIT: Facebook/Ninja Warrior
Alex: During your competition on Monday night, you reached the buzzer!
Kyle Schulze: Finally! Pah!
[Video clip of Schulze pressing the buzzer] CREDIT: Facebook/Ninja Warrior
Alex: Wow. You’ve been involved for 8 years and it was your first time reaching the end. Incredible. What makes it so difficult and what was different on Monday night?
Kyle: What happened this year? I think because I recently graduated and finished my goals, I wanted to finish strong. I told myself that I deserve this. I know that for so long, I wanted to do it so badly. I was trying to do it for other people. I wanted to be a good example and a good role model for the Deaf community. I think that got into my head, of trying to please everyone, while I should have just focused on myself. That’s when I realized, when I finally reached the buzzer, that I was doing it for myself. It’s who I am. I’m making goals for myself. I think that’s the reason why I finally got the buzzer this year.
Alex: Wow. I really liked the last part, with the stick that you had to maneuver.
Kyle: The jawbreaker.
[Video clip of the jawbreaker section from “American Ninja Warrior.”] CREDIT: Facebook/Ninja Warrior
Alex: You must be very strong! Do you do many pull-ups and chin-ups daily?
Kyle: There are different types of strength. There are those who lift weights. My type of strength is more of gymnastics, kinda.
[Video clip of Kyle climbing up a pole on “American Ninja Warrior.” CREDIT: Facebook/Ninja Warrior
Kyle: I think the major reason why I compete is because I’ve always, since I was a kid, wanted to improve myself. It could be physical or mental with reading books. I always wanted to find a way, to ask myself, “How can I better myself?”
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Alex: Now that you’ve completed the course on Monday and advanced, can you when and where can we see you next?
Kyle: During the last week of June, the competition will advance to the semifinals. These are the people who advanced from the qualifiers. During the semifinals, that’s when people compete to see who will go to Las Vegas for the national finals. That will take another two or three weeks. They are typically shown on Mondays and Tuesdays. Watch and see what happens!
Alex: Is there anything you want to add?
Kyle: I want people out there to be able to look into themselves and ask what their goals and dreams are. Then make a promise to yourself that it’s what you want to strive for. I know it sounds very cliche and people always say that, but really, that’s the purpose of life. If you’re not chasing for something, what are you living for? That’s where you really have to look into yourself to ask how you can make yourself better and what you can do to make things better for other people, for yourself, or for the world. It’s up to you.
[Video clip of Kyle cheering in triumph on “American Ninja Warrior.”] CREDIT: Facebook/Ninja Warrior
Alex: Looking forward to seeing your next competition!
Kyle: Yes, look forward to that!