Owner
Stephen and his wife Wendy acquired USA Ninja Challenge Durham in May 2024. They have three children—8-year-old Mia, 4-year-old Ian, and 8-month-old Izzy. You will often find at least one of their children at the gym at any given time.
Stephen has always been deeply committed to supporting children's development, dedicating much of his early career to education and mentorship. His passion began in his youth, where he worked as a babysitter, tutor, and volunteer to work with young children. He took a gap year in college to volunteer and teach at an orphanage in Japan. It was during this time that he was introduced to ninja and spent much of his free time setting up makeshift obstacle courses for the children.
Following college, Stephen founded an after-school program in the Los Angeles projects, aimed at keeping children off the streets and inspiring them to pursue higher education. When funding for the program ran out, Stephen transitioned into a career in technology. After relocating to Durham in 2022, he became reacquainted with ninja through USA Ninja Challenge Durham. After two years of unsuccessfully trying to enroll his daughter, Stephen and Wendy decided to purchase the gym, allowing Stephen to return to his passion of working with children, while he continues to work his corporate job and manage the gym.
Stephen is committed to advancing the ninja sport and transforming USA Ninja Challenge Durham into the best and safest ninja gym in North Carolina. With firsthand experience raising a sensory-seeking child, he is passionate about working towards creating an inclusive, growth-oriented environment where all children can thrive.
Lead Ninja Coach
Hailing from Durham, NC, Coach Achiri has been a dedicated part of our ninja gym since it opened in 2017. With a passion for teaching and a wealth of experience, Achiri brings a unique blend of skills and enthusiasm to every class.
A seasoned competitor, Achiri competed on Season 10 and 11 of American Ninja Warrior. He is also a 4-time World Ninja League World Finalist, a 2-time Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association World Finalist, and a 3-time Ninja Carolina League Finalist, all in the prestigious "Elite" and "Pro" divisions.
Coach Achiri leads our Advanced classes and Competition Team. If you’re interested in the sport of Ninja, talk to coach Achiri and he’ll be there to guide you through.
Outside of ninja, Coach Achiri shares his expertise as a summer camp instructor at Carolina Friends School, where he leads camp workshops covering a variety of interests, including video games, sports, writing, and card games. In his younger years, Achiri was a professional video game player, traveling across the World to compete in several Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games.
Lead Ninja Coach | Camp Director | Pet Dad of 5
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Coach Brandon brings a diverse set of talents and passions to his work. With a degree in Music and a background in performing with the tuba, he blends creativity with discipline in everything he does. Holding a 2nd-degree black belt in Taekwondo, Coach Brandon's dedication to physical fitness and martial arts is a key part of his philosophy, teaching others the importance of perseverance and hard work.
With 15 years of experience in childcare, Coach Brandon is deeply passionate about early childhood development, always striving to create positive, supportive environments for young learners. His caring approach extends beyond his professional life; at home, he enjoys quality time with his wife and their beloved pets—three cats and two dogs.
A seasoned competitor, Coach Brandon has made a name for himself in the world of Ninja Warrior competitions. He was a Finalist for the World Ninja League (WNL) in Seasons 7, 8, and 9. He also was a Finalist in both Season 8 and 9 of the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association (UNAA).Additionally, Coach Brandon earned a 2nd-place finish in Season 2, a 3rd-place finish in Season 4, and was the Champion in the 5th season of the Ninja Carolina League (NCL).
Senior Ninja Coach | Martial Artist | Stunt Enthusiast
Originally from Brooklyn, Coach Vaughn joined our team in April 2021 and has quickly become a favorite among our athletes. With a strong background in martial arts, Vaughn is passionate about how martial arts principles translate seamlessly into the world of ninja, especially in terms of body control and agility.
Known for his love of big moves, Coach Vaughn can often be spotted performing impressive flips and acrobatic feats, inspiring others to push their boundaries and take their skills to the next level. He also runs a "Fight Fusion" stunt choreography class on Saturdays at a nearby dance studio, blending martial arts and movement in exciting ways.
As part of a true ninja family, Vaughn’s 3-year-old daughter, Amelia, is a proud member of our Ninja Sidekicks program, and he cherishes being able to share his love of the sport with the next generation.
Vaughn’s favorite part of coaching is seeing the kids break through their previous limits and achieve new heights, both physically and mentally, through perseverance and hard work.
Senior Ninja Coach
Drew McLaughlin was born in Attleboro, MA, and raised in Rutherfordton, NC. As a committed coach, he is passionate about inspiring young athletes to challenge their limits and elevate their skills. He began coaching Ninja in 2022, bringing a diverse background of athletics and education to the role. Drew graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Exercise Science and from North Carolina Central University with a degree in Physics.
Before diving into coaching, Drew was a standout athlete, playing college football at Carson-Newman University in 2008 and excelling in football, baseball, and basketball during high school. He also coached football, baseball and basketball while in college, gaining valuable experience in mentoring young athletes.
A passionate believer in the importance of fitness, Drew enjoys staying active through working out (weight training, plyometrics, running, and yoga), playing basketball, football and competing in Ninja competitions. When he’s not coaching or training, he loves spending time with his four cats and large family of 13 siblings. Drew combines his love for sports, science, and competition to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment for all his students.
Senior Ninja Coach
A proud local of Durham, NC, Coach Sarah has a lifelong passion for sports and fitness. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Exercise Science and has used her education to enhance her coaching approach. Growing up, Sarah played soccer and later expanded her athletic background to include tennis and swimming in high school.
Currently, she focuses on weight training with an emphasis on powerlifting, pushing herself to new strength goals. Despite her love for lifting, Sarah’s true passion lies in coaching kids. She finds joy in helping young athletes grow, develop their skills, and discover their own potential.
In addition to coaching, Sarah has a side hobby of baking and loves bringing in her delicious pastries for others to try. Her baked goods are a hit with the team and a sweet way to spread joy!
Senior Ninja Coach | Karate Instructor
Originally from Long Island, Coach Marc joined our team in April 2024, bringing with him over 15 years of experience as a Karate Instructor (Carolina Martial Arts Center) and a black belt in Karate. Marc’s expertise extends beyond karate; he is also a skilled instructor in Iaido, the Japanese art of swordsmanship, as well as Kobudo, the art of Okinawan martial arts weapons, and previously coached and instructed Fencing (foil, epee), also participating in SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) combat.
Marc has also played & coached ice hockey at Ice Hockey in Harlem. He has also played ice & inline hockey in New York and Buffalo as a sponsored (Karhu) player.
A champion athlete, Marc has earned titles as both an AAU Karate Regional and National Championships, and he’s excited to bring that competitive spirit to his ninja coaching.
Marc is also part of a true ninja family, with his daughter Eva proudly joining the ninja staff as a coach as well.
Senior Ninja Coach
Born in Jackson, Michigan but raised in Zebulon, North Carolina. An experienced facility manager and youth programs director with a passion for youth development. He has managed and trained at multiple fitness facilities and most recently, before attending the Wilmington Fire Academy, Coach Jacob was the general manager of Warrior Tech in Raleigh and camp director for both Warrior Tech locations. On top of coaching at USA Ninja, Jacob also works for the City of Raleigh as a manager and program coordinator at Pullen Park.
In his free time, he enjoys weight training and conditioning, playing basketball, practicing ninja, and doing philanthropic work. Jacob has a nonprofit catered towards helping the homeless with a secondary focus on hunger reduction. Coach Jacob has competed in UNAA, NCL, and WNL and was a World Finalist in 2024 finishing in the top 100 of his age group. He was also a cross country and track athlete at Pfeiffer University with a scholarship and later transferred to Appalachian State University and joined the Varsity Men’s Scout Team for a season. He graduated ASU in 2017 with a degree in Public Administration and minored in Criminal Justice, Social Work, and GIS.
The best part about coaching ninja for Jacob is watching young athletes discover their capabilities through consistent effort and determination. He loves coaching fearless athletes but relishes in empowering kids with rational fears and watching them overcome any obstacle they once deemed “impossible.”
Ninja Coach | Endurance Athlete | Film Student
Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Sam Rayzman brings a diverse athletic background and a passion for coaching to our team. With experience in wrestling, cross country, and mountain biking, Sam thrives in high-energy, endurance-based sports that require both skill and perseverance.
Beyond athletics, Sam is deeply interested in film and is currently pursuing graduate studies in the field. His experience as a former teaching assistant has honed his ability to guide and mentor others, making him a natural fit for working with young athletes. Since joining us in July 2024, Sam has been an enthusiastic and dedicated coach, inspiring campers and students alike.
Ninja Coach | Hiking Enthusiast |
Carson started coaching Ninja during the summer camps of 2024 after moving from San Diego, where he worked at Boy Scout summer camps and as a tutor at Mathnasium. His favorite obstacle station is rope climb (though vault may overtake it once he can do the higher levels), and he loves introducing kids to approaches and techniques they hadn’t considered to conquer difficult challenges. Carson believes creativity and physical activity go hand in hand, and enjoys dictating fantasy stories to his phone while hiking nature trails like those along the Eno River. He encourages kids to exercise their bodies and imaginations every day and loves his job best when kids cheer for each other’s success.
Ninja Coach
Isha Madasu is currently a student at UNC Chapel Hill studying Music Education with a minor in Italian and she is very excited to work with your kids! Her journey working with kids began when she worked as a summer camp counselor at Old Mill Farm in Durham. She is also very active, having played lacrosse in middle school and swimming when she was younger. She enjoys strength training and dancing in her free time. Her goal as a coach is to empower ninjas to reach their full potential, regardless of where they’re coming from.
Ninja Coach
Born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. A martial artist with a passion for nature, art and music. She spends her free time painting, playing bass guitar, and going hiking/backpacking along the Appalachian trails. She grew up heavily involved with the Scrap Exchange, and Carolina Martial Arts Center while being homeschooled.
One of Eva’s favorite accomplishments was winning gold in both the 2016 & 2017 AAU Karate National Championships. She has been training in martial arts since she was six years old, and currently is a brown belt. She also has had experience in dance, and gymnastics.
She became a Ninja Instructor in November, 2024 and enjoys the opportunity to help inspire young minds to always try their best.
Ninja Coach
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Dashon Nelson brings his athleticism and passion for movement to the ninja gym. A former high school basketball and football player, he developed strength, agility, and discipline on the court and field—skills that now translate seamlessly into ninja training.
After high school, Dashon continued his education and is a proud college graduate. His dedication to learning and self-improvement carries over into his coaching, where he helps athletes build confidence, develop skills, and push past their limits. His energetic and encouraging approach keeps classes fun and engaging, motivating students to challenge themselves.
When he’s not coaching, Dashon loves hitting the gym, staying active, and working toward new fitness goals. He’s excited to be part of the ninja community and looks forward to inspiring athletes to reach their full potential!
