Joe Moravsky is a ninja whose name is often spoken in hushed tones. Better known as “The Weatherman” to longtime fans due to his career as a meteorologist, Moravsky made his debut on American Ninja Warrior way back in Season 5 and quickly established himself as an athlete to watch. Now in Season 17, Moravsky’s list of accomplishments in the sport is mind-blowing. In addition to competing on 12 seasons of the series, Moravsky has twice been the Last Ninja Standing on American Ninja Warrior and recently competed at the SASUKE World Cup in Japan as part of Team USA.

As the ninjas Moravsky competes against get younger and younger, he remains undeterred. “It’s tough keeping up, but at the same time, it’s just a shift in that training mentality,” explained Moravsky. “It’s going to take a little getting used to, but the goal is to keep up and just keep surprising.” Moravsky is prepared to keep evolving with the sport, but is a bit wary of the new bracket-style tournament in the national finals this season. “If this were 10 years ago, I’d be totally down with that head-to-head racing format,” said Moravsky, noting there is a “big difference between being 26 and 36.” Ever adaptable, Moravsky is confident he will be able to hold his own against his competition. “I’m still one of the fastest ninjas in the world, or at least I like to think so,” said Moravsky.

Moravsky also holds the record for hitting the most buzzers in ANW history with 35 . While it could feel routine to another ninja, Moravsky absolutely gets a “jolt” every time he hits a buzzer. “Every buzzer is unique,” said Moravsky. “It’s such a rush.” While Moravsky considers “confidence” and “adaptability” as two of his biggest strengths, he “understands that anything can happen” on the course. Though with his training, positive attitude, and resilience, Moravsky has a better chance than most to finish a course and hit the buzzer.

Moravsky hopped on a Zoom with Decider to discuss the new season, competing in Japan, and whether he has plans to retire anytime soon.

DECIDER: Season 17 is getting back to basics, yet shaking things up! How do you feel about a bracket style tournament instead of a race up Mt. Midoriyama for the finals?

If this were 10 years ago, I’d be totally down with that head-to-head racing format. There is a big difference between being 26 and 36. I have been training my entire career essentially for Mount Midoriama. However, I’m still one of the fastest ninjas in the world, or at least I like to think so. Going against these kids, though. They’re so good at what they do, they learned from watching us when they were five years old up until now. They studied us, and now they becoming better than we ever were.

But that’s what we want. As a veteran of the sport, I want these kids to get up to my level and then surpass me. That’s happened. So, it’s tough keeping up, but at the same time, it’s just a shift in that training mentality. It’s going to take a little getting used to, but the goal is to keep up and just keep surprising.

You’ve been competing on ANW since Season 5. What’s it like to adapt to the evolution of the sport?

I mean, that’s ninja, right? It’s adapting to obstacles. Each course that comes our way contains a new obstacle or a new set of obstacles, and we have to be able to overcome those. I like to compare it to basketball. I was a point guard in high schoo,l and my job was essentially to adapt. It was going down the court, calling out plays, and adapting to the defense.

Being able to adapt is one of the great characteristics of an amazing ninja. I’ve always really liked the fact that we don’t get to practice the course. In addition to being adaptable, I’m also confident. I mean, confidence has got to be such a big factor, right? If somebody is scared to make the move that they need to make, well, that’s not going to help them. But if you have that confidence, just say, “hey, I got this,” and you go for that move and you make it… that’s what it’s all about.

Your cousin Rob “The Adonis” Moravsky was back to run the course this year. How instrumental, if at all, were you in his return to the sport?

We’ve been talking about his coming back for years. However, he recognizes the amount of work it takes. He is selling million-dollar houses in LA right now. Do you take time away from that to put in the training hours necessary to compete on television? No, you don’t. He loved competing again, but he knows he is not the type of athlete to win the whole thing. What’s important is that he has a great time, and we all have a great time watching him.

He lives in LA. I live in Connecticut, so I don’t get to see him too often. Just a couple of times a year. It was a good chance for us to catch up and rekindle the love he once had for the sport. When he fell on the second obstacle, he was upset, but it lit a fire in him. He really wants to be there again for the next season. The question is: is he gonna come back? I’ve already texted him like, “hey, applications coming out; we gotta get on it.” I do too.

In the Season 17 qualifiers, you easily hit a buzzer. Is this old hat to you by now or do you still get a little jolt of excitement?

I get a jolt, absolutely. Every buzzer is unique. When I get to the top of that warped wall, that type of energy always comes out… it’s not something I ever see coming. I have noticed in my career either right before the buzzer or just after I hit the buzzer, I’ll lose it. All that extra energy that I had—that I was saving in case I needed it—just kind of comes out. I understand that anything can happen, but I always expect to hit a buzzer. It’s such a rush. That’s why I love the sport so much. I can’t walk away. It’s too much fun.

You did miss out on the mega wall this season. Other than the height, what about the obstacle is so daunting?

So, I was just talking about this. It’s six inches higher than it was in previous years, and I haven’t really gotten six inches taller yet. I’ve relied on my athleticism and genetics for a lot of what I do, which is great. I’m very blessed to have what I have. However, those extra six inches requires a lot more training. Now we’re at a height that requires you to do it perfectly. At least for me.

Last night, I was training really hard pushing three of my students on a sled-type rig across the floor. My legs are killing me today, but I’m trying to work on that driving force. Kai Beckstrand is a good example of a ninja who has a lot of power and driving force. He doesn’t do traditional workouts for ninja. He does a lot of power lifting, which is beneficial because you need that strength. Ninja is not just about being nimble anymore. You gotta be strong too.

You also competed on Team USA in the SASUKE World Cup in Japan. What was that experience like?

The whole experience was incredible. I wish I could have brought my family out there. It was just such an expensive trip, and it was a very busy time of year. I was gone for like two weeks. Japan is so beautiful, and the food was great. It was really cheap compared to the United States, so that was cool. I learned a little bit of Japanese. Okay, I learned like two words [laughs]. I just wish that I performed a bit better. Summer time is not usually when I’m at peak training.

There are on and off seasons for ninja. We’re filming in September and October now. It used to be in the Spring. I wasn’t in my best shape, but mentally, I was fine. I’m just making excuses now [laughs]. However, Japanese competitors have come to America a bunch, and they never perform the way that we know they can perform. So maybe it’s just that, but on the flip side. I went to Japan and now I’m experiencing what they did. So it is what it is. I hope to get another shot at it.

When a ninja reaches a certain age, there are always murmurs about retirement. However, it sounds like you’ve got a lot more left in the tank. How are you feeling about that?

I’ve juggled the idea of retirement for years. It’s gonna be more of a “play by ear” type of thing for me. I’m still in great shape and compete well, but what happens when I get to the point where I’m gonna start to fall off? Do I want to fall off on national TV in front of everyone in the world? Do I really care what people think? And that’s what I’m juggling . Am I doing it for me? Am I doing it for them? Am I doing it for my legacy?

I will stop when I literally can’t do it anymore. Or maybe when it just gets so hard that I know I can’t. I don’t think I can call it retirement. I would almost call it like “taking a break” and just refocusing on life, family, career, you know, things like that. It’s certainly been in the back of my mind this season and will be from here on out, but we’ll see what happens. I mean, maybe I win it all, and there we go, you know, problem solved. I will have done what I came out to do. I think we would walk away on that one. I think that would work really well.

Ninja obstacle racing will part of the pentathlon in the 2028 Olympics. What ninjas would you like to see go for the gold?

The pentathlon has a lot of different disciplines, and obstacle racing is just one of them. These pentathletes need to be good at everything. Kai Beckstrand is someone who could do it. He’s made a full body commitment to being in shape. That’s what you need. You need to be fast; you need to strong; you need be smart. You need to be all those things. He probably has a lot of what is required to be successful in the pentathlon.

American Ninja Warrior airs Mondays at 8/7c on NBC