After more than a decade of Ninja Warrior, Matt Iseman still has a lot to look forward to

The countdown is ON! We’re a little less than a week away from the Los Angeles taping of American Ninja Warrior. The Ninjas are preparing. The obstacles are getting their final touches. It’s very nearly time for season 12 to get underway.

That also means our favorite hosting team will be back in action soon! Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila will return to the host tower. Zuri Hall will return for her second season on the sidelines.

Matt has been with the show since almost the very beginning. He joined Ninja Warrior way back in season two. He’s witnessed way more runs than a lot of us can claim and understands exactly how the show has grown and changed. Matt keeps very busy in the Ninja off-season, with his standup comedy career and his work on A&E’s Live Rescue, but he’s always excited for the return of Ninja Warrior.

We asked Matt to share what he’s looking forward to as packs up his bags and gets ready to hit the road for season 12. Before he lays eyes on the course, and before he sees a new rookie wonder hit the stage, what is he eager to experience this year?

Here’s what he had to say!

• “First of all, always exciting coming into a season after we crowned a champion. The Real Life Ninja made his dream come true (and Daniel Gil came oh so close!). There’s always a special energy when folks come in KNOWING it can be done. Of course, the obstacles WILL get harder, but I can’t wait to feel the energy the Ninjas bring this year.”

• “INDOORS! Last year in Tacoma was incredible, the loudest crowd we’ve ever had. Now, we get to have FOUR REGIONS indoors! I think the crowds will be bigger, we’ll have more of our young fans able to attend (and not miss their bedtime) and I know conditions will be perfect! Awesome that we get to go to D.C. and bring Ninja Warrior to our Nation’s capital. Excited to be in St Louis and not have to worry about rain and cold.”

• “The new obstacles. The Obstacle Design Challenge has been feeding us some great obstacles in the past years, and this year, our fans have gotten even more creative! Some awesome new challenges to push our Ninjas to their limits and beyond.”

• “The thing I’m most excited about is seeing my friends. I’ve known so many of these Ninjas now for over a decade. I know their hopes and dreams and I know their favorite foods! Mostly, I know that they’re great people who are always working on improving themselves in so many different ways. It’s an amazing experience to get to be around them. It feels like family.”

If you want to see Matt in action this season, you can request tickets to American Ninja Warrior here.