Passionate Believer

Passionate Believer by Daniel Elfers

Passionate Believer by Daniel ElfersWe all have passion in our life in some regard, whether burnt out or inspired. We chase after crazy dreams with this insane desire to make them happen. Passion is a wonderful thing when inspired because passion can really make things happen, but what happens when passion and obsession is misplaced?

It’s been on my mind lately because of things in my life. Ninja Warrior (as many know I competed in this last season) was an obvious obsession of my passion. It’s not bad to be passionate about something, but what happens when you realize your passion has taken you away from things more important. Passion has faded in my faith. While still ever present in my life, and it was a constant strength to me during training and for my two weeks in LA. I felt the fires die down a little as my desires for Ninja rose. I’m sure most Christian have been here before. When something consumes their life, and faith becomes a back burner. Not that we ever truly lose the faith, but we lose the passion we had for it.

I suppose the big question to kick this off is, “What is passion and where does it come from?”

Non-Christians would probably tell you it a powerful drive that comes from inside ourselves. That is comes from a place so human we can’t help it (not to say all do, but I’ve heard that before). As a Christian though I have the belief passion comes from the spirit. Passion to me comes from an externally place. We don’t wake up one morning suddenly passionate about something. We are inspired. People who create are inspired in their works. Art inspires art. Athletes inspire athletes. But what is that fundamental moment in time when someone decides they want to do something or be something?

For me it started after watching one episode of Ninja, but that wasn’t passion then. That was a notion that I wanted to do it. After starting training I developed passion over time. Same thing for most of the things I am passionate about. It took time and dedication before passion really started to grow. We are drawn to things and passion starts to develop the further we delve into them. We are all inspired at some point in our life (many times most likely) and somethings click so we start to dedicate to it. These moments are something deep in the spirit, something that calls to us from a far. Sadly some people may be inspired to do terrible things, while others inspired to greatness (I believe this another discussion regarding the influence of the devil, which perhaps I will cover another time).

From my perspective God is at the center of creativity and passion. True inspiration starts in the world that he created. True creativity all around us. He created us to be inspired to be passionate. He created us in his image, like the creator he is he made us to be creators and shapers of our lives. We have a certain freedom to choose, and he has given us inspiration and passion in life to chase after dreams. But finally reaching my point, what happens when our passions are too much? What happens when God becomes less?

Well we lose the connection to that spirit and that creator. We lose our inspirations. We replace inspiration with fear of lose. Our work which perhaps we once enjoyed becomes like a chain we feel we are tethered to and can’t escape. The things that were fun became painful. Returning to the center of our passion. Returning to God is how we can be reinspired to seek after these things, but the big conclusion is be passionate first for the one who created passion. Delve into him. Like with all things if you are not passionate towards him make him an every day routine so he can be an everyday obsession. We fight through bad days for passion to train or learn, now let’s find our way back to being passionate believers.

I want to encourage Christians and non-Christians to seek after God. If you don’t know what this means find a church, read the bible, find a person in your life who has that such joy in Christ! Let other help you! If you are a Christian and feel burnt out like I have been do similar. Get in a church community, get into the word and Seek after God till you find passion and don’t stop. Be inspired to seek after him and find passion through him in your spirit so you can be passionate and wise in all the other adventures of life.

In my life I want God first. I want to seek him out till nothing else matters, and then and only then can stand firmly in his ways and with wisdom, strength and confidence I can take on all the things of the world he calls me to!
-Dan

Road to Ninja Warrior

Road to Ninja Warrior

Road to Ninja WarriorI have a dream and I’ve watched more dreams than I can count fade away. Not this time. This time I’m pushing harder and giving everything to be on American Ninja Warrior! It’s been a long road so far and maybe this is just part 1 of the actual adventure to come. Whatever happens I’ve started this and I intend to see it through, because this has become something I absolutely love.

I have every intention of traveling the long trip and waiting in the long “walk on line” to prove I have what it takes, but it seems to me I may need a little help. It won’t be cheap to pay for that trip, for food, and all the other needs that may arise. I’m asking my friends for help.

It’s not always easy for me to ask for help, but in starting this journey towards Ninja Warrior I’ve realized how many wonderful and supportive people are in my life and I shouldn’t go at this alone. The passion I share inspires others and it’s not just my journey anymore and I need to let others help me get there.

It’s not been the easiest of years for me. I’ve been through a lot (health, financially and emotionally) and I’ve not seen a lot of light at the end of the tunnel. Little victories have kept me going, but now I’ve found a goal and it’s so much bigger than just this. It all starts here. Extra money by the end will go towards my career and the future in fitness and graphic design. Building obstacles, building websites, and creating community and all the other things to get people inspired.

“Being confident of this, that he who has begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6

My thanks to everyone! Whether supporting financially or through encouragement and prayers! You are my tribe and my family!

American Ninja Warrior Season 8 2016 Submission Support

Ninja Warrior in Training: Week 2

NinjaTrainWeek2At the end of the second week of Ninja Warrior training I’m once again exhausted, but in a way that thrills me. As of last week I learned my weaknesses (read about it here) and now I’ve started to conquer them. Pushing my limits just a little farther. Little steps to start accomplishing bigger steps. This isn’t just about my fitness journey, but my journey through life. When I decided I wanted to do this it was a notion. More of an idea than a real decision, but I wanted to do it, and I made the effort to do so. I’ve had plenty of chances to give up, and still I haven’t. What started out a thought became a practice, and a practice is now becoming a passion, and from a passion to a dedication. Passion is proven by how we act in the effort to achieve.

Ninja Training Swings VideoIt can be overwhelming at times and I feel it too. I see where I need to be, and I realizing where I am, and knowing I’m not there yet. I take this journey one step at a time, enjoying the little feats gained knowing that it takes little feats to reach the bigger feats. I can already see my strength growing. Making swinging leaps from bar to bar was something at first that scared me (click the link on the right to watch). I didn’t know I could do it till I tried. I fell a few times trying, and then I found myself able. Then I started going farther and bigger. It may not seem like be a big thing (but sure was tough), and in truth they weren’t huge leaps, but it’s these small leap that will make the way for bigger ones. I’m training my practice to feel confident and comfortable on the small scale so when I hit the real thing I’m gonna be ready physically and mentally.

There’s been a lot of falls (fortunately not from too high). There’s been cuts and blisters. There’s been pulled muscles and pains. I’ve given so much already, and I know there will be more chance to turn back and give up, but I’m not turning back. I’m not going to give this up. I’m going to keep fighting to be someone stronger. I’m changing here and now. I’m becoming someone a lot more driven and determined. From a boy who thought life was so hard, to realize that it takes effort to achieve anything, and there is a lot to achieve. So much more than just being on Ninja Warrior, and I aim to achieve it all. Train like a champion, live like a hero, and give everything to get where I’m going. So maybe I can’t do everything, but I can give everything I have to be the best I can be, and if I give my best that is enough. I’m putting in the hours and achieving more with each new week. From weakness to little victories, and next I start to take this higher! Time to start cranking up the intensity even more!

-Dan

Ninja Training: Swings – Video

Ninja Training Swings Video

Trying something new! A little acrobatics, cause every Ninja Warrior needs to know how to use their weight and momentum in the air! It’s a day by day process learning and growing stronger! I’m working hard to get in competition condition!

Check out other Ninja Training Videos!
Ninja Warrior Training Moment Video Sept 8webthumbeasyWalkthumbAmerican Ninja Warrior Submission Video

Ninja Warrior in Training: Week 1

Daniel Elfers Ninja Warrior in Training: Week One

Daniel Elfers Ninja Warrior in Training: Week OneIt’s been one week of training to get into competition condition. It’s like a part time job with no pay, but that doesn’t matter to me. It’s not about money. It’s about doing something I love. At least that’s what I remind myself every time I felt like giving up this week. If I’m serious about being on Ninja Warrior I realize I have to be in peak physical condition, and I have to train like a serious competitor so in the 3-4 months when it’s time to give my all I’m gonna be ready. So as of this past week I’m on my new training program to get to that point. 12 weeks to get in elite warrior condition!

This first week I thought might be the hardest one for me. Not simply because physically it’s demanding. It’s also mentally demanding. I can workout and I love to workout, but making the time and dedicating so much effort when all I feel right now is sore and weak after trying. There is pain and there is exhaustion. I hardly feel ready after all the effort I put in this week, but that’s ok, that’s what this first week is all about, because what I realize is I gave my all this week and that’s enough and the great thing I accomplished was finding my weaknesses.

I can’t overcome until I acknowledge where I am weak. Finding my weaknesses allows me to be smart, and train them till they are no longer weaknesses, but strengths. I’m pushing my body to the limit of what it is capable of so I can find new limits to push to. No matter how weak I felt this week I know I have the next 11 weeks to gain that strength. This is not just a battle physically, but mentally. Why I believed this first week would be so hard was because I knew I would have to step up and find a reason why am I doing this! Real change is more mental than it is physical. I need the physical, but if I can’t get committed I never will be strong enough.

I make the commitment to be stronger, and live the life I want to live, not simply for me, but for everyone I can inspire. I would do this even if everybody thought I was crazy and I think they probably do, but for some reason my madness seems to inspire people. My passion seems to get people excited. I want to see lives change because I step up. I will do whatever it takes to get there in my life so others can get there in their lives.

I do not feel ready and I am not where I need to be, but I’ve got the passion to get there. I’m getting ready for week two. Time to take it all on again, but this time even stronger. I will face more pain and challenge. I will conquer more of my weakness. I know I will question my resolve, but I will not give up. I’m ready to change my life and change the world doing so! Week two here I come!!

-Dan