Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Kingdom Ninja: A Warrior’s Guide to Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health” by Daniel Gil is a transformative journey that challenges the reader to ascend to new heights of personal well-being. Narrated by the author himself, Daniel Gil, the 2020 American Ninja Warrior Grand Champion, this book is a testament to the synergy between physical prowess, mental clarity, and spiritual peace.

Gil’s narrative is both a memoir and a manual, chronicling his rise from a rookie to a champion in the grueling world of American Ninja Warrior. Yet, it’s his candid sharing of the “behind-the-scenes” – the sweat, the setbacks, and the spiritual epiphanies – that makes this book a standout. His voice, both in writing and in narration, carries the authenticity of experience and the warmth of a mentor who’s walked the path.

The book is structured into three core sections, each dedicated to one aspect of health. In the Physical section, Gil doesn’t just prescribe exercises; he invites readers to understand their bodies, offering strength-building routines, stretching exercises, and nutritional advice that are as much about self-respect as they are about health.

The Mental health section is a deep dive into the psyche of a warrior. Gil discusses overcoming anxiety, fostering positive self-talk, and achieving life balance. It’s here that the book shifts from being instructive to being inspirational, as readers are encouraged to cultivate habits that fortify the mind against life’s adversities.

The Spiritual section is perhaps the most profound, where Gil shares principles for nurturing the soul. His approach is inclusive, focusing on universal values like peace, joy, and faith, making it accessible regardless of one’s religious beliefs.

What sets “Kingdom Ninja” apart is its holistic approach. It’s not just about being fit or mentally strong; it’s about integrating all aspects of health to live a life that’s in harmony with one’s values and beliefs. Gil’s message is clear: we may not all be ninja warriors, but we can all be warriors in our kingdom, fighting for a healthier, happier existence.

In essence, “Kingdom Ninja” is a call to action—a call to rise above the ordinary, to conquer the obstacles of life with grace and strength, and to build a kingdom within that reflects the best of who we are.

Looooove Daniel Gil! So proud of him and his accomplishments. His faith is in huge display, and I admire that soo0000 much. My Kids liked listening to this book because they love ninja.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to listen to an audio version of Kingdom Ninja written and narrated by Daniel Gil. I began watching American Ninja Warrior after seeing a video of Kacy Catanzaro's historic run and I quickly became a fan of Daniel Gil, after seeing him compete several times. Kingdom Ninja is not a biography of ANW, however he has written how he has chosen a lifestyle that promotes total well-being—body, mind, and soul. There are recipes, workouts and tips, tidbits of his journey to becoming ANW champion and and his spiritual vision. Listening to Daniel was inspiring!

Kingdom Ninja is part autobiography, part recipe book, part workout manual and part Christian Living. Daniel Gil presents his story of how American Ninja Warrior has been a part of his life. Through every chapter, he shares how his faith is inextricably tied to his life, his work and his family. The book is beautifully presented with crisp pictures, great layouts and a thick hardcover. I looked forward to reading his story everyday. I think this would make a great read for teens or adults, Christians, and anyone who loves American Ninja Warrior or autobiographies. I will definitely be recommending this title!

Thanks to #NetGalley for the audio review copy and Harvest House for the physical review copy.

I received an advanced copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5759010615

I enjoyed this book. It was a good quick listen, and the pace was on point. I was interested to see how he handled the faith aspect of the book. I was very impressed. I walked away feeling inspired by religion rath than oppressed by it. He talked his faith and used the bible, but it was not in a judgmental or I am better than you way. He talked about his success but also his failures in equal measures (maybe even a little more on the short comings). He talked about how he handled and used the situations instead of using the book to be a "look at me platform."

Now if you are listening to this book for his workouts so you can get crazy in shape, you will probably be disappointed. There were tips and even good reminders for those who have been in the game a while but a training regimen it is not. He also threw in a little bit of science that was interesting regarding recovery (trying not to spoil it). I am very glad i picked this one up (thank you for the opportunity to have a first listen via NetGalley).

I can't help but wonder if there will be additional books that will take a deeper drive in to each area he covers in this book as I feel like he just glossed the surface. That is not intended as a critique, rather a statement of fact. I can see how a deeper diver could have gotten to be a little too much too fast and took away from the light inspirational feeling. I'd recommend this book and have even spoken with my training about some of the information in it.

It was truly a joy to listen to this--not only was it narrated by the author, but I've followed Gil for several years on American Ninja Warrior! I really enjoyed learning more about his own story, both as it relates to ANW and in the rest of life. He truly seems like the real meal deal.

This is a comprehensive read on physical, mental, and spiritual health, and I enjoyed each element. As ever (whatever we read), of course it's important to be discerning: I did note a few references to Bill Johnson and his book Dreaming With God; Johnson is a senior pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, CA, which is rooted in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) "movement," and I would urge readers to do their research on this before picking up the book "because the Kingdom Ninja recommended it." (Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church is an excellent resource on the topic.)

That aside, I immensely enjoyed Gil's conversational tone, stories, tips/tricks, and recipes, as well as the amount of Scripture included. I'd certainly like to try out some of the stretches and recipes!

4 stars, taking into account the aforementioned BJ/NAR references alongside a few about "being the best version of yourself."

I received an audiobook ARC of _Kingdom Ninja_ from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Solid Book

I thought that this was a really nice and refreshing book

The author is very kind and the writing was very encouraging.

I'm not someone who watches American Ninja Warrior but I found that this author's values are very similar to mine which attracted me to this book.

I thought it was very interesting to get the training measurement and nutrition details on what it takes to be a warrior

I also really appreciated how interwoven faith is to the author which is very important to me as well.

All in all, this was a very encouraging and interesting book. Sure, not all of the values are shared with me (for example, the author mentions being an anti-vaxer), but for the most part, I was in unison with the thoughts.

It was also a nice and short book - short and sweet!

Definitely check it out if you like training and learning more about the ninja process!

4.2/5

Kingdom Ninja is a mixture of biography and self help book. Daniel Gill, the Kingdom Ninja, takes readers on a journey through his American Ninja Warrior experiences, while guiding the reader on how to improve their physical, mental, and spiritual lives. For the fangirl/boy or future American Ninja warrior athlete, he explains the journey of auditioning , filming, and actually running the course. For all readers, he goes over his training regiment and gives suggestion on how to improve our health, maybe not to be a super hero flying through obstacles, but just to live our best lives. He also shared with us his suggestions on mental health, relationships, parenting, and how to live the life loving and cherishing God. The audiobook is phenomenal, because you hear Daniel speak his truths and it feels like he is coaching you through your ear duds. I suggest listening to this while you are running or in the gym. You will feel motivated and supported the whole time!

Thank you to netgalley and Dreamscapes publishing for the arc. I really enjoyed this book and I think that there is something in the book for everyone. it gives some insight into Daniel's experiences in Ninja Warrior as well as in his life.in this book, Daniel focuses on health, specifically physical, mental, and spiritual. There are exercises and recipes as well as things to help with mental well being. It also talks about the importance of being close to God. Overall I really enjoyed this book as well as the narration.