dispute was unnecessary, saying "There is no distinction, it's the same title. There are pictures of me holding the trophy that says I'm the first American Ninja Warrior. I think they are trying to give him a moment too because he does deserve it, but as far as the rules go, there is one title. It's an all or nothing deal. If you look at other sports, if Michael Phelps beats everyone in the Olympics by a fraction of the second that's the way it is, even if everyone else 'finishes the course'." Caldiero has also been referred to as the "first American Ninja Warrior champion." In season eight, Caldiero did not return to the competition. Instead, he served as a spokesman for the series and its sponsor, POM Wonderful. It was revealed that he would make a return to Ninja Warrior by participating in the celebrity special of Ninja Warrior Germany in November 2017. On April 24, 2018, Caldiero confirmed he would come out of retirement to compete in season ten of Ninja Warrior in the Indianapolis region. While he cleared the qualifying course, he fell early in the Indianapolis city finals and was unable to qualify for the National Finals in Las Vegas. Synergy Climbing and Ninja Caldiero is collaborating with Lisa Rands and Tennessee Bouldering Authority to open Synergy Climbing and Ninja, a bouldering, ninja training and fitness center in Chattanooga, TN. Personal life Despite having won the $1,000,000 prize from Ninja Warrior, he continues to live a simple lifestyle, often in a 1978 RV and off less than $10,000 a year. He currently resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee. References Living people American Ninja Warrior contestants American rock climbers American carpenters 1982 births