This month’s Nona Your Neighbor subject is Emily Durham. Durham is a personal trainer and fitness coach, as well as a wakeboarder and a competitor on the last four seasons of American Ninja Warrior! Check out some more awesome stuff about Emily below!
NHN: What brought you to Lake Nona?
ED: We moved from Colorado in pursuit of warmer weather and more lakes. Before purchasing a home, we were asked to house-sit a home for a friend on Lake Whippoorwill for the summer. We fell in love with our neighbors and the community and knew that this was where we wanted to live.
NHN: How long have you lived here?
ED: Since 2010.
NHN: Where are you from originally?
ED: I am from Denver, Colo., and my husband is from East Texas.
NHN: What do you do for work?
ED: I am a retired professional wakeboarder and now work as a part-time fitness trainer and a full-time mom. I also work with my husband at our non-profit organization called This is My Story. And for a hobby, I also train for American Ninja Warrior and have competed on the show for the last four seasons.
NHN: What’s the most exciting or crazy thing that’s ever happened to you?
ED: My whole life has been pretty exciting. I’ve traveled the world with wakeboarding, won countless titles and events. I’ve experienced the gift of having children. And I’ve gotten to compete on the show American Ninja Warrior. My life has been pretty exciting all the way around!
NHN: Could you tell us a bit more about your experience on American Ninja Warrior? How did you end up getting on the show?
ED: I applied for the show four seasons ago and ended up getting a call back right away. I hadn’t trained specifically for [American] Ninja Warrior but thought it would be fun to try. I ended up doing pretty well and absolutely loved it and have been hooked on it ever since. Since then, I have made every show and hope to continue.
The show itself is a big Hollywood production with the lights and cameras, which can be pretty nerve-racking, and so I try to use the nerves and adrenaline in my favor. It’s also filmed through the night, so sometimes you can end up competing anytime from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. One season, I actually competed at 5:30 a.m. I was really tired!
NHN: What has been your favorite moment on the show so far?
ED: My favorite moment was competing in Miami this year. I did pretty well, and I just had so much fun getting to compete in the finals. I also love the interaction with all of the kids who are fans. They look up to us ninjas so much, and I love the positive role models that are in this sport. To be healthy, strong and to keep trying no matter what obstacles you might face in life.
NHN: What is your favorite thing in Lake Nona?
ED: The “small” feel of the community. That I know my neighbors.
NHN: What are you most excited to have in the Nonahood?
ED: I’m just excited to have so many new stores and restaurants so close.
NHN: What do you think the future is for Lake Nona?
ED: I think it’s going to keep growing. It’s such a great spot!
NHN: If you could tell one thing to someone considering moving here, what would that be?
ED: This is a great place to raise a family.
Want to nominate YOUR neighbor (or yourself) to be featured?
Follow this link: nonahood.to/nonaneighbor or email vanessa@nonahoodnews.com.
