Fusion Athletics Club Presents
Meet Our Team
NYX Training Center is more than just a gym - we're a community. Come in for a tour or try out a class. Our coaches are excited to meet yout!
Michael "Greatness"Johnson
Michael Johnson is a two-time national finalist on American Ninja Warrior™, and has served as consultant for American Ninja Warrior™ and The Titan Games™ in obstacle testing. Michael is one of the most well-respected coaches in the ninja community. The athletes he has trained include:
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Vance Walker, the youngest athlete to reach stage three in the ANW™ national finals.
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Matthew Hall, one of the top-ranked elite ninja athletes in the country.
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Christopher Harding-Jones and Ethan Bartnicki, both 2022 ANW™ national finalists (stages one and three, respectively).
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Multiple other teenagers currently ranked in the top three in their respective age groups.
As well as an outstanding coach, Michael is also a dedicated personal trainer. Through Fusion, Michael will continue to build a robust community of elite athletes with strong, healthy support systems.
Michael Johnson - Owner
Dara DePaolo
Dara DePaolo is the current U.S. parkour style champion and an experienced ninja warrior athlete, as well as a former elite gymnast. A well-respected figure in both communities, Dara currently coaches five nationally ranked athletes, all world champion hopefuls in 2022-23.
Dara has been running competitive programs for ninja, parkour, and gymnastics for over five years. With the creation of Fusion Athletics, she will become the youngest female company owner in her field. Dara plans to use this position to leverage support for female athletes in the fitness community.
Dara DePaolo - Owner
Christopher Harding-Jones
Junior Coach
"I’m a Christian and vegan athlete, and a national finalist on American Ninja Warrior™, who completed the qualifying and semifinals courses in season 14. I also placed 3rd in the young adults division at the NNL World Finals. I have struggled with many disorders and disabilities, including ADHD and sensory processing disorder, but never let that hold me back from accomplishing my goals. I can be very argumentative at times! My life motto is Living Wide , which means you can’t control the length of your life but you can control the width. I love learning about American political history, and especially our presidents."
Ethan
Junior Coach
"I’m a 2022 national finalist on American Ninja Warrior™ who also happens to be the GOAT. I've been awarded "World's Strongest Ninja" in the WNL young adult division two years in a row. I spend my non-ninja time making music and plan to pursue this professionally. I've been training since 2016 both in parkour/tricking and ninja warrior. Most of my ninja strength comes from my mental game but I also specialize in finger strength and endurance."
Matthew "Kid" Hall
Jr. Coach
Matthew is one of the strongest elite ninjas in the country . There isn't an obstacle he hasn't completed.
"I’ve been competing in ninja for five years and am an elite level ninja. In the last two years I’ve also gotten into parkour, and have been doing a few competitions here, usually placing in the top few. I’ve never been on the show, but hope to get the call soon. A million dollars sounds pretty good."