Josh Butler, pictured with is wife Katie, son Braxtel (right) and photograph of their son Dewey. Butler will compete on American Ninja Warrior on NBC Monday night. Submitted Photo
University of Mississippi alumnus Josh Butler will showcase both his athletic ability and inspirational story Monday (Aug. 7) on NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior.”
Butler, a 2010 Ole Miss graduate originally from Jackson, has trained for the challenging obstacle course program over the last three years and auditioned three times before being asked to compete in the show’s ninth season.
“I have obstacles in my backyard that I built, I’m a member of a rock climbing gym and I’m a member at a regular gym, too,” Butler said. “I have always been active, though, and participated in pretty much every sport.”
However, Butler and his family have conquered many other obstacles over the last three years. In 2015, his wife, Katie, gave birth to their first son, Dewey, but he was born with an unbalanced translocation of chromosomes, causing breathing problems.
After 132 days in Vanderbilt’s Children’s Hospital, their son died.
The Butlers then decided to help care for other children. In 2016, they fostered their now-adopted 3-year-old son, Braxtel, who was born with chronic respiratory failure and breathed through a ventilator until recently.
The Butlers are also foster parents to three other children, who they hope to make permanent members of their family later this year.
“My wife and I are a team, and having a home health nurse at the house most days of the week helps us have a ‘break’ for things like training,” he said. “I wake up before everyone else to exercise and train. I also use my lunch breaks to fit in a workout.
“While Dewey was alive and in the hospital, it was a hard decision to leave his NICU room to train, but I knew that I needed to take care of my own health, too, to be the best dad to him.”
Butler said it has been his dream to compete on “ANW.”
“I love that the show showcases the whole person, not just the athletic side, by including their inspirational back stories,” he said. “I also want to share how faithful God is even in the midst of tragedy. He has a plan, and we trust him.”
Tune in to NBC at 7 p.m. Monday to hear more about Butler’s inspiring story and watch him compete for a $1 million prize.