We’re thankful for the Ninja Warrior community. Here’s why.

Show or no show, the Ninjas have given us a lot.

By Nikki Lee@anwnation Nov 22, 2017, 12:54pm PST

On this Thanksgiving, we’re thinking about the American Ninja Warrior community, and the many, many things the members of that community have given us. What culminates in a TV show once a year is actually an intricate, caring, living thing that is changing the lives of those it touches.

Here are a few of our reasons that we’re thankful for the Ninja Warrior community. What’s yours? Tell us in the comments.

The Ninjas show us what support looks like on and off the course.

This one means a lot to me. @themoustache_ninja and I met about two years ago. We bonded instantly since both of our mothers are breast cancer survivors. It has been a pleasure to witness the growth of this awesome ninja both as a great person and an amazing athlete throughout the past two years. A truly good person that I’m proud to call a great friend. Lucio donated ALL of the net proceeds from his @themoustache_ninja shirt sales to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through Ninja for a Cure! My man! Can’t wait for you to crush #ANW10 brother!

A post shared by Henry Ferrarin (@ninjaforacure) on Nov 18, 2017 at 6:39am PST

The community has inspired a new generation to see their abilities as absolutely endless.

So much fun at the Wolfpack Ninja Tour!!! 1 on 1 class with @youngflip7 was a Awesome!!!! @wolfpackninjas @wolfpackninjatour #wpnt

A post shared by Gavin Maccall (@whatlylahdoes) on Nov 4, 2017 at 7:11pm PDT

While also inspiring an older generation to shake off any idea that their time to shine has passed.

So much fun @wolfpackninjatour this weekend! I'm starting to love rope climbs! But I never looked down, kept going till I rang that bell. I most fear letting go of the rope and that big swing down! It was about 45-50 feet in 47:21seconds, a personal accomplishment!

A post shared by Virginia MacColl (@ginnymaccoll) on Nov 6, 2017 at 7:59am PST

It reminds us that we’re never alone in our struggles.

For the past month I have been in a bit of a slump. More like a pit. In actuality, it felt like a deep dark hole filled with tar. I have not been passionate about the things I love, I have not cared about much of anything. I spent most of my time in bed, physically injured, sick, and emotionally unsound. However today is a new day, and I have started to feel more like myself again. More like the old Jamie, passionate, engaged in life, and excited about new challenges. You may have noticed I have been absent from social media for the most part during this time. Partly because I did not want to bring others down, and partly because I wasn’t quite sure how to put things into words. So here I stand, ready to rock and roll and start living life once more! #overcomeanything #captainnbc #ninjury #emotional #stress #overwhelming #parkour #anw #ontothefuture #leavethepastbehind

A post shared by CaptainNBC (@jamierahn) on Nov 18, 2017 at 8:05am PST

And shows us the strength to be brave.

Consent is __________? (Fill in the blank) #shatterthesilence #truhope #flippingthenation #fliphats #nomoremask #changingtheworld #inspiretheyouth #inspiretheworld #inspire #sexuallyabuseisntcomfortable #getcomfortablebeinguncomfortable #pave

A post shared by Flip Rodriguez (@youngflip7) on Nov 19, 2017 at 8:57pm PST

Their journeys make us smile.

What do you want to watch #Hazel ? American Ninja Warrior Again!! The show that helped save her life. @anwnation @ninjawarrior #americanninjawarrior #anw #kidneyforhazel #v12ninja #sanantonio @mmn716 @akbar_gbaja @mattiseman

A post shared by Kenny Niemitalo (@kennyniemitalo) on Aug 1, 2017 at 2:01pm PDT

It reminds us that Ninja Warriors come in all shapes and sizes.

Hey Everyone! Please don't forget to tune in today at 11:30am and catch Zoey and I on @nbc6inthemix. Shout out to @roxynbc6 and the entire @nbcnews team for welcoming us with open arms and wanting to interview Zoey and I to get her story out there and bring awareness to neuroblastoma. #nbc6inthemix #grateful #thankful #childhoodcancer #warrior #americanninjawarrior #zoeystrong #blessed #wolfpackninjas #Miami #305 #TEAMJJ @wolfpackninjas @ninjawarrior

A post shared by JJ Woods (@jjwoods87) on Sep 27, 2017 at 7:47am PDT

It just simply makes our hearts happy.

I wanted to give a shout out to all of the ninjas that stopped to say hi and meet Emeline in Vegas! ❤️ She flew across the country to support me and you guys made her trip even more special Thank you for making someone I love and care about so much, EXTRA happy! And a special thanks to @joemoravsky who met a very upset Emeline (because it was 4am and Mom said it was time to go home) you hung out with her, showed her pictures of your daughter, and made sure she was smiling before she left you guys are awesome and this is the exact reason why I love being in this amazing community #AmericanNinjaWarrior #mypeople #love #amazing #ninjas #smilesallround #flex #flexlabreck #cerebralpalsyawareness

A post shared by Jesse Labreck (@flexlabreck) on Sep 19, 2017 at 7:27am PDT

Happy Thanksgiving!