USA Ninja Challenge

For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ninjaroysecity.com/about-us?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=usa-ninja-challenge-amanda-moore-franchise-2729026" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Amanda Moore</a>, caring for children has always been at the center of her life. As a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, she has spent years helping premature babies in their most fragile moments. That experience, combined with a large family upbringing where she was constantly surrounded by kids, ultimately led her to explore business ownership as another way to positively impact children.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I learned to love taking care of people, which led me to pursue a nursing degree. I went into the neonatal ICU to be around babies because I really enjoy caring for them. I still work as a NICU nurse today,” Moore said. “One of my favorite things we do is our annual ‘preemie party,’ where we invite NICU babies who were born prematurely — some as early as 23 weeks — to come back years later so we can see how they've grown and thrived. Seeing those kids happy and succeeding made me realize I wanted to do something else to support children. That led me to explore business opportunities and ultimately to franchising.”&nbsp;&nbsp;As she researched different business opportunities, Moore realized she wanted the support of a franchise system rather than building a business from scratch. She and her family explored several options before discovering&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usaninjachallenge.com/franchising/ninja-franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=usa-ninja-challenge-amanda-moore-franchise-2729026" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">USA Ninja Challenge</a>, a franchise focused on children's fitness and obstacle course training. The concept felt like a natural extension of her desire to help kids develop and grow, and after meeting the brand’s leadership team, she knew it was the right fit.&nbsp;&nbsp;Moore acknowledges that franchising comes with challenges, but she finds the experience rewarding, particularly when she sees the impact her business has on children and families. Her goal is to grow her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ninjaroysecity.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=usa-ninja-challenge-amanda-moore-franchise-2729026" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">gym in Royse City, Texas</a>, to 300 students. If demand allows, she hopes to expand to additional locations in the future. But more than anything, she wants to create a space where children can thrive.&nbsp;&nbsp;Looking back, Moore never imagined her career would lead her to franchising, but she believes her hands-on approach as an owner is key to success. “I think it's important to be involved in your business,” she said. “Being an absentee owner isn’t the right fit for something like this. You need to make sure the day-to-day operations are running the way you want and that your business is being perceived in the best possible way by families and the community. Your involvement makes a difference.”1851 Franchise recently sat down with Moore to discuss her passion for caring for children, her franchising journey with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge/info">USA Ninja Challenge</a> and her plans for the future. Here’s what she had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Amanda Moore: I come from a large, blended family that I absolutely love. I have seven brothers and sisters, and we have big Christmas celebrations with all our nieces and nephews — there are more than 30 of them now. My family is also musically inclined. My dad and my sister love to sing, and we were all in band, so I grew up surrounded by music, a lot of people, and, of course, a lot of kids.I learned to love taking care of people, which led me to pursue a nursing degree. I went into the neonatal ICU to be around babies because I really enjoy caring for them. I still work as a NICU nurse today.&nbsp;1851: How did you decide franchising made sense for you?Moore: My family and I looked into a lot of different options. I knew I would need support if I started a business, and a franchise already has a strong foundation in place. They have the structure, the marketing and the systems figured out. I realized that franchising would allow me to run a business alongside my nursing career rather than having to build something from scratch.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Moore: Before I started this journey, I honestly didn't know much about franchising. It was just something that caught my interest, and I wanted to learn more about it. Now, I can say that while it is a lot of work, it is also incredibly rewarding. You have to put in the time and energy to grow your business and market it properly. I expected it to be hard, and it definitely is, but I also love seeing the smiling faces of the kids and families we serve.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Moore: I love working with kids, and I felt that USA Ninja Challenge had a strong foundation. The company had been around for a while, had multiple successful locations and had a proven system. When I flew up to meet the owners and attended my Discovery Day, I really enjoyed working with them. It just clicked, and I knew this was what I wanted to do.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Moore: My immediate goal is to grow my gym to 300 kids. Down the road, if the demand is there, I would love to open another location. Ultimately, I just want to provide a fun and positive environment for children in my community.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Moore: I happen to be the mother of two amazing kids. My daughter is 15 and plays volleyball, and my son is 12 — he plays baseball and is also a ninja.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Moore: I think it's important to be involved in your business. Being an absentee owner isn’t the right fit for something like this. You need to make sure the day-to-day operations are running the way you want and that your business is being perceived in the best possible way by families and the community. Your involvement makes a difference.ABOUT USA NINJA CHALLENGEUSA Ninja Challenge is the leading kid’s Ninja franchise, offering an exciting obstacle-based fitness experience for children across the United States. Since its founding over a decade ago, USA Ninja Challenge has grown into a trusted brand nearing 40 gyms and more in development. The franchise combines fun and fitness by teaching kids agility, balance, and problem-solving through a series of structured obstacle courses. Partnered with the USA Pentathlon Multisport Olympic Team, USA Ninja Challenge is raising awareness for Ninja's Olympic debut in 2028. With low initial investment, high margins, and rapid ROI, USA Ninja Challenge offers franchisees the opportunity to build profitable businesses while making a lasting impact on children's physical fitness and confidence. For more information on USA Ninja Challenge or to learn about franchise opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usaninjachallenge.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=usa-ninja-challenge-amanda-moore-franchise-2729026" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.usaninjachallenge.com</a>.

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amanda Moore and USA Ninja Challenge logo

NICU Nurse Amanda Moore Opens USA Ninja Challenge Franchise

1851 Franchise

Amanda Moore, a franchisee in Royse City, Texas, balances her NICU nursing career with business ownership, creating a space where kids can grow and thrive through fitness.

Neonatal ICU Nurse’s Passion for Caring for Children Led Her to Franchise With USA Ninja Challenge

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When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-umpa-pmp/">Dan Umpa</a> talks about his path to business ownership, it’s clear the story starts long before he ever heard of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usaninjachallenge.com/franchising/ninja-franchising">USA Ninja Challenge</a>. It traces back to Long Island, where he grew up watching the Coast Guard pilots stationed near Robert Moses and Jones Beach. Those early memories shaped his sense of purpose.“I always used to look up to those guys,” Umpa said. “They were there in people’s times of need… their whole point of being there is to save lives and help people.”That instinct to serve stuck. After high school, Umpa set his sights on the U.S. Naval Academy, drawn to what he described as a “leadership laboratory” where he could immerse himself in both academics and military training. He graduated in 2009 with a degree in robotics and engineering — a foundation that would later make&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge/info">USA Ninja Challenge</a> feel surprisingly familiar.He went on to become a naval aviator, flying search-and-rescue helicopters — “the Swiss Army knife of the Navy,” as he calls them — where adaptability, readiness and problem-solving weren’t just professional expectations, but survival tools.<h3>Leading From the Front</h3>Umpa says his military experience is woven into the culture of his Ninja gym. One lesson stands above the rest: “Never tell somebody to do anything you're not willing to do yourself.”It’s a principle that guides how he leads employees, works with families and inspires students. Whether it’s cleaning, fixing equipment or moving obstacles, he makes sure his team sees him doing the work too. “I'm leading from the front,” he said. “I am just as willing and able to do it as they are.”That consistency sets the tone. “If you're not willing to do it yourself, how can you possibly ask somebody else to do it?” he said.<h3>Semper Gumby: “Always Flexible”</h3>Umpa jokes that his gym operates under its own motto — a twist on the Marine Corps’ Semper Fidelis. “We call it Semper Gumby, always flexible,” he said.Working with kids means no two days look the same. The military prepared him for exactly that. As a pilot, he trained for endless scenarios and learned how to adjust in real time while still keeping the mission at the center.“You have to maintain that flexible mindset with the overall mission goal still in mind,” he said. “If you're not… and you're just staying rigid where you're at, it's not going to work.”That approach translates directly to his role as a franchise owner: navigating parent expectations, staff needs, facility operations, class flow and the emotional dynamics of young athletes.<h3>Why USA Ninja Challenge Was the Right Fit</h3>While reviewing franchise opportunities, Umpa kept coming back to his engineering background. USA Ninja Challenge allowed him to build — not just a business, but the environment itself.“I always enjoyed building things,” he said. “This looked like an amazing opportunity to not just build a business but to have a business where I get to build things.”That includes designing obstacles, shaping class progression, developing coaches and strengthening the community inside his gym. He also saw strong brand health and momentum.&nbsp;But most importantly, he loved the structured, skill-based curriculum. “That’s what differentiates us from any other kids' activity,” Umpa said. “They're not going to get the same experience as if they had our expert coaches actually guiding them through a skill progression program.”<h3>Why Veterans Excel as Franchise Owners</h3>Umpa believes veterans bring natural strengths to franchise ownership — especially leadership, composure and adaptability.“People who have served have leadership experience under stressful situations,” he said. “Their ability to handle those stressful situations and think calmly sets the veteran community a little bit apart.”But he returns again to the concept of flexibility. Veterans are trained to understand a mission, recognize a changing situation and adjust intelligently.“You have that knowledge to say, ‘All right, well, I recognize the situation now. I need to change and do something different to be able to complete this mission,’” he said.That mindset isn’t only useful at USA Ninja Challenge — it’s foundational to entrepreneurship itself. “Not every day is going to be a bed of roses,” he said. “I love having the easy days but I'm always ready for the hard ones.”<h3>His Advice to Fellow Veterans</h3>For veterans considering franchising, Umpa offers one central reminder: “Remember your training.”Military service doesn’t just prepare service members to follow steps — it prepares them to think, lead and problem-solve.“It was a framework that taught you how to learn,” he said. “It taught you the principles of leadership. Try to keep that flexible mindset and remember the framework your training led you through.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge.">https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge.</a>&nbsp;

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Neonatal ICU Nurse’s Passion for Caring for Children Led Her to Franchise With USA Ninja Challenge

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