Who doesn’t love watching athletes like Jessie Graff pull off the impossible on American Ninja Warrior? The show’s fun, but for Sarasota’s Kyle McCreight, it’s personal. Kyle isn’t just a fan; he’s a four-season competitor who’s turned the spotlight into something bigger. At 38, he’s using his time on TV (and help from his three-legged therapy dog, Tre) to raise money for kids with limb differences through the Never Say Never Foundation.
Kyle wrapped up his fourth season on “American Ninja Warrior” after reaching the Eastern Regional Finals in Las Vegas; his episode aired July 13. He’s hit the course in seasons 14, 16, 17, and 18, and he’s no stranger to being inches away from the national finals. He came closest in season 17, even slapping that buzzer. His entrance into the Ninja world? Credit his mom, who suggested the show. After a few episodes, Kyle started finding gyms where he could train.
His drive has roots in his day job, too. For a decade, he’s been an occupational therapist at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital. He’s spent about five years working with kids who have limb differences, through the Never Say Never Foundation. The charity runs the annual Pirate Camp in Clearwater; money raised there helps pay for prosthetics and equipment for kids who need them. On air, Kyle brings the cause front and center, using his Ninja platform to drum up support.
He sees himself in the energetic kids he helps, especially those with sensory processing disorders like ADHD and autism. That inspired him to start Sunshine Ninja Therapy in 2019, taking kids to a ninja gym to tackle obstacle courses that build sensory integration, teamwork, and overall strength. That program’s on pause now because he just can’t do it all, but he still dreams of opening a ninja gym for Sarasota’s youth one day.
And then there’s Tre. Kyle found Tre, just a puppy and already missing a leg, while searching for a companion after his divorce. He adopted Tre from Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch. Thanks to his therapy background, Kyle helped Tre learn to walk and find his balance, eventually getting him certified as a therapy dog during the pandemic. Their bond? Kyle calls it a “perfect match” and laughs that people in town recognize Tre more than him.
Training’s not getting easier as Kyle ages, so his focus is shifting toward inspiring and supporting the next generation. His message on and off the Ninja course stays the same: chase your dreams, don’t let obstacles stop you, and never, ever quit.
If you’d like to help kids with limb differences, donate at neversayneverfoundation.org.
Click here for information about American Ninja Warrior.
