Southern Utah University Honors Gymnast-Ninja Warrior-Nurse

Madyson Blake Howard has crafted a life marked by resilience, discipline, and passion, transitioning from the gymnastics floor at Southern Utah University (SUU) to the nursing floor at St. George Regional Hospital, and even to the challenging courses of American Ninja Warrior.

 

In recognition of her remarkable journey, the SUU Alumni Association honored Howard with the 2025 Young Alumnus Award during this year's Homecoming Week.

 

Reflecting on her time with the Flippin' Birds gymnastics team, Howard shared, "Being part of the Flippin' Birds changed the trajectory of my life. It was the first time I had been on a team that felt like a family."

 

Her experiences in gymnastics, balancing rigorous training and academics, instilled a strong work ethic and the ability to perform under pressure—skills that have been invaluable in her nursing career.

 

After graduating from SUU in 2017 with a nursing degree, Howard dedicated five years to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), including the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. She now serves in the infusion clinic, providing compassionate care to her patients daily.

 

Howard noted, "In gymnastics, I learned how to perform well under pressure. That ability to slow down, focus, and take things one step at a time really carried over into nursing."

 

Beyond her professional commitments, Howard has pursued her passion for competition by participating in American Ninja Warrior. She has competed multiple times, reaching the buzzer three times, and attributes her success to the mindset developed during her gymnastics career.

 

"I attribute all of my mindset for Ninja Warrior to what I learned as a gymnast and during my time at SUU," she said. "On the show, the stakes feel lower than college gymnastics. It's just fun; I can swing, fly, and tackle obstacles one at a time."

 

Howard's journey is further enriched by her role as a mother to her four-year-old son, who shares her enthusiasm for ninja obstacles. She hopes to instill in him the values of hard work, determination, and an active lifestyle.

 

Receiving the Young Alumnus Award from SUU holds special significance for Howard. "I am very honored," she said. "So much of my life's trajectory came from my time at SUU. To go back and be recognized this way really means a lot to me."

 

Her advice to current student-athletes is to find new passions that keep them active post-college. "As an athlete, being active is part of your daily life, and losing that can be hard," she said. "Find something you love to do that keeps you active; it will make the transition easier and just as rewarding."

 

Howard's story exemplifies the values of resilience, discipline, and passion, serving as an inspiration to the SUU community and beyond.