Obstacles Are Just Training: NBC's ANW Champion Kai Beckstrand on Recent Win, Firefighting, & T1D

from Up + Adam with Adam Montiel · host Adam Montiel

On this episode of Up + Adam, we’re joined by Kai Beckstrand, the 18-year-old champion of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior Season 17. Known as the fastest ninja on the planet, Kai has broken records with his speed and precision, hitting buzzers and making history alongside his brother and father. But his story runs deeper than the highlight reel. Kai is also a certified EMT and firefighter, dedicating his life to running into danger when others can’t, and he does it all while managing Type 1 diabetes. In this conversation, Adam digs into the love of competition that drives Kai, the invisible math and strategy of balancing blood sugars mid-run, and the discipline it takes to live a life defined by grit and resilience. With insights shared from Wendy Theis Sell, a passionate advocate for T1D awareness, this episode explores not just the obstacles on the course but the ones we don’t always see. Kai Beckstrand is more than a champion. He is a role model for every kid with Type 1 diabetes, and for anyone who has ever been told they “can’t.” Follow Kai online: • Instagram: @kai_beckstrand • Watch his runs on American Ninja Warrior: nbc.com/american-ninja-warrior ******** Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel: Official Website: adammontiel.com Apple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple Podcasts Spotify: Up+Adam on Spotify iHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadio YouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music ******** CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK! ******** ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE! ******** FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM ********* Sincere Thanks to the supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them! We Help You Legal General Store Paso Robles Daou Vineyards WoodsHumaneSociety Tin City Distillery Original Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective Moonshiner on Spotify HERE Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 27, 2025

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

Ready to play

Obstacles Are Just Training: NBC's ANW Champion Kai Beckstrand on Recent Win, Firefighting, & T1D

0:00 23:49

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Up + Adam with Adam Montiel?

This episode is 23 minutes long.

When was this Up + Adam with Adam Montiel episode published?

This episode was published on August 27, 2025.

Can I download this Up + Adam with Adam Montiel episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!