American Ninja Warrior Jamie Rahn looked excited about the Angry Birds. The Baltimore City Finals introduced a new eighth obstacle that no one could figure out. Competitor after competitor hit the water there and the night looked fairly dismal.

When accomplished veteran Jamie reached the obstacle, there was no fear or trepidation in his face. He smiled and bobbed his head as he stared down the odd-shaped blocks he’d need to traverse. The attitude gave us all a feeling of hope. However, that feeling was dashed when Jamie was also not able to lock onto the bind grab required by the obstacle.

Even more heart-breaking was the realization that Jamie, who had taken his time to conserve energy for the Angry Birds, would not advance to the National Finals. Since so many Ninjas reached the obstacle at a good clip, Jamie’s time did not place him into the top 12.

Jamie is a nine-time competitor, with six National Finals under his belt. It’s hard NOT to picture him on Stage One. While the fans are reeling from the news, there’s a chance Jamie isn’t.

Before the season even got started, we asked Jamie how he handles difficult falls. While we’re sure Baltimore was a disappointment, his outlook heading into it is one of positivity for the sport and community.

“My motivation this year is just really kind of getting back into the community. With traveling and everything that’s been going on, I haven’t really been able to train and travel and really be a part as much as I had been before. So I’m really excited to kind of get back in, be a part of, the community as a whole, cheer everyone on, and just bring all that positivity to Ninja.”

“So for Season 11, my ninth year, I feel like if people know me, they know a decent amount about me, what I’d like them to remember is that I’m just a person like everyone else. And every year people get humble pie, which is why I love Ninja Warrior. But it’s what we do and how we continue to push on and push through. That’s what’s most important. It’s not if you make it all the way through, and you’re first or fastest or whatever, it’s trying to be the best you can and going as far as you can go. And so I always love beating the course. I don’t really care if I’m first, I just want to make it through.”

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“So the way I like to look at things is 99% of the people fall before they should fall or fall before they think they could fall. And it’s usually not because they’re not strong enough. It’s usually they did something slightly wrong or a little miscalculation. So I realize not to put a lot of weight into it and stress over it, but to enjoy the moment that you’re doing it.

One of my favorite moments I talk about all the time is when Drew Drechsel fell on the Qualifiers, missing that rope grab. (Jamie is referencing the Miami City Finals in season six.) He came out of the water with his big smile and this like, ‘I don’t know,’ face. And seeing that attitude of being like, everyone falls and we’re enjoying the ride. No matter where I go, wherever I fall, I always remember this was a fun ride. I’m going to enjoy it. I’m going to keep everyone else around me positive and enthralled about doing the best they can.

So you fall, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just the end of the season.”

“I always expect to get to Stage Four. I always assume that I’m going to be there. I know I’m conditioned enough. It’s just a matter of doing it the first time every time, and doing it right. But I like to try and stay in that realm of confident, not cocky.

Expect it’s going to be there, and if it doesn’t happen, then it’s a shock, but it’s not the end of the world.”