We often talked about doing more fitness themed episodes on “1st Look.” But how do you make it unique? Do something beyond profiles of the latest exercise/nutrition trends or fads?

After some discussion, we focused on fun indoor and outdoor activities that were athletic, allowed you to work up a sweat, but were outside the normal fitness ‘box.’

We also talked about doing canyoneering on a previous show but it didn’t work out. But when a friend at the network connected me with Isaac Caldiero, the first ever winner of “American Ninja Warrior” and a major canyoneering enthusiast, we had to do the story.

The amazing staff at Red Desert Adventure helped us find the picturesque location, Red Caves Canyon, and hooked us up with safety gear. Isaac agreed to teach Ashley how to climb.

Turns out canyoneering was how Isaac practiced for “Ninja.” In addition to an incredible obstacle course he setup in his parents backyard, he spend a lot of time climbing in Zion National Park in Utah.

For Isaac, winning “Ninja” was insane. He was the first in series history to do it and claim the $1 million prize. And if you’ve ever watched the action-packed show, you know the intense athleticism required just to compete.

“It’s something that I trained so hard for, and I’ve just dedicated my whole life to it, basically, for the last three years,” Caldiero said in an interview with NBC’s Esquire website. “So, for it to all come into place and to finally happen and materialize… it still just seems like a total dream come true. It’s by far the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced in my entire life.”