Background

I have been involved in various forms of movement for over 30 years and art since I was a kid, both of which have been very big parts of my life. I enjoy learning new skills and teaching them to others. Watching students progress and knowing I had some part in that is very satisfying.

Some on my background and when I started each:

• 1995 - Gymnastics Coach

• 1995 - Swing/Ballroom Dance Instructor

• 1998 - Mural Painter

• 1998 - Photographer

• 1998 - Graphic Designer

• 2005 - Parkour/Freerunning Coach

• 2005 - Cheer Coach

• 2016 - Ninja Coach

• 2010/2017 - American Ninja Warrior Competitor

The Breathless Ninja

I'm known as 'The Breathless Ninja' because around the age of twenty, I had a rare experience in which my lungs collapsed four times, each one twice. After the second time on each, doctors decided it best to remove the lower sections of my lungs and secure what remained to my chest wall preventing them from collapsing again, leaving me with two half lungs. I was a competitive gymnast during that time and having less lung capacity dealt me many new obstacles to overcome, but that didn't keep me from doing the things I loved. I acquired the name 'Breathless' when I competed on American Ninja Warrior, and since then that name ha become a part of me. Now, I embrace it. I am Breathless.

Links

Personal Website - Breathless Arts

Facebook - Elijah Shane Miernik

Instagram - thebreathlessninja

Spotify - Always in Motion Locked In - Album by The Breathless Artist