There is a moment that occurs in every household around the country while watching American Ninja Warrior (ANW). One viewer takes in the action, looks at the person next to them and says, “I think I could do that.” The harsh truth for 99% of the viewers watching at home, however, is that they in fact do not have what it takes to compete on the ever-popular sports entertainment reality show, which began airing its 17th season on NBC this June.

Sarasota local Kyle McCreight had that same thought while watching ANW in 2016. It turns out that McCreight, who now lives in Parrish and works as an occupational therapist at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, was one of the 1% that could compete. “I watched a few episodes and thought to myself, ‘hey I could do that,’” says McCreight. “I ended up going to Live Training Center in Palmetto, which had a few ninja obstacles and met some guys who had been on the show before. I tried some of the obstacles and was humbled pretty quickly, but fell in love with it right away.”

That first trip to the gym started McCreight’s odyssey as a professional ninja athlete. It’s a journey that is ongoing—McCreight is currently competing in his third season on ANW—and recently advanced to the semi-finals for the first time on June 23. McCreight, now 37-years-old, applied to be on the show five times before first getting accepted for season 14 in 2022. There are six obstacles in the qualifying round, with the infamous 14.5 foot warped wall the final challenge.

“The first two seasons I made it to the fifth obstacle. I was so close both times, just one move away from getting to the wall and having the chance to hit my first buzzer,” says McCreight. “This year, when I got to that fifth obstacle I was tired, my arms were exhausted, but I told myself that there’s no way I’m falling here again.”

Supporting McCreight along the way is his three-legged dog Tre, a black lab that he adopted in 2019. Born with a birth defect that required amputation, McCreight rehabilitated Tre back to health, in turn inspiring “Limb Different” children around the world and working alongside the Never Say Never Foundation to provide prosthetic limbs for children. McCreight can be seen competing in the season 17 semi-finals starting on July 14, on NBC and Peacock.

American Ninja Warrior, Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and the next day on Peacock. 

Provided photo.

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Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is excited to announce Amelia Swiecki of Sarasota as the award recipient of the 2025 Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship. Ms. Swiecki is a rising junior at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, pursing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with minors in biology, film, and Spanish. The Virginia B. Toulmin scholarship is awarded in honor and partnership with a local leader in the Sarasota community – and that distinction has been bestowed to Selby Gardens’ President and CEO Jennifer O. Rominiecki, who served as the scholarship’s inaugural mentor during the 2024 award cycle. The scholarship includes a $15,000 award provided by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. Through this program, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens seek to contribute to the development of future leaders and professionals who will make meaningful contributions to the non-profit sector and our community. The scholarship will provide a pathway for successful leadership in the business and nonprofit world by providing mentorship, opportunities to observe leadership in action, and financial support to high-achieving juniors or seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees and holding a minimum GPA of 3.5. 

Officially opening its doors on the first day of school this August, Skye Ranch School promises an innovative learning environment where students will soar to new heights. With state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated educators, and a commitment to nurturing academic and personal growth, Skye Ranch School is poised to become a cornerstone of the community, shaping the leaders of tomorrow with a foundation built on knowledge, curiosity, and compassion. Skye Ranch School is proud to offer a robust STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum with a specialized focus on science, mathematics, and robotics. Initially, the school will open to students in grades K-6. This intentional approach allows for a seamless transition for 7th and 8th graders from Sarasota Middle School, ensuring continuity in their educational journey while also accommodating anticipated growth. Skye Ranch School has been designated as an EHPA Shelter and will serve as an evacuation center in Sarasota County.

 Skye Ranch School, 9501 Lorraine Rd, Sarasota. 

Ringling College of Art and Design is pleased to announce that Dr. John A. Chopka has joined the College as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing. Dr. Chopka began his new role last month and hit the ground running, getting to know members from the Admissions, Design Center, Financial Aid, and Marketing and Communications departments he oversees, and the many others that he will be working closely with. His deep belief in the power of education, along with his strategic vision, collaborative nature, and data-driven leadership, will strengthen Ringling College’s ongoing commitment to building a diverse and thriving student body. 

Golfers of all skill levels are invited to swing into action for a great cause at the Communi-tee Golf Classic, a signature fundraising tournament hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities. Held at Calusa Golf & Country Club on September 17, 2025, this exciting event blends friendly competition with community spirit — serving as a special celebration of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities’ 25th anniversary! Golfers can register as single players and be paired with a welcoming team, or sign up as a foursome with friends or colleagues. Visit LWRCA.org to secure your spot. 

As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, emergency room doctors are reminding families to take precautions when using fireworks, especially around children and teens. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly 10,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries in 2023. Eight deaths were reported. Burns accounted for more than 40% of those injuries. The most common injuries involved firecrackers and sparklers, with hands, fingers, head, face and neck being the most frequently affected areas. The CPSC found that about 20% of fireworks tested failed to meet safety standards, citing issues such as faulty fuses, banned chemicals and excessive explosive materials. Consumers are encouraged to purchase only legal fireworks from licensed and reputable sellers. Doctors say two-thirds of fireworks injuries occur in the weeks before and after the July 4 holiday. To learn more or find emergency care nearest you, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com. 

BayCare has named Patrick Brown, MD, FAAP, as vice president and chief medical information officer (CMIO) and Philip Karp as vice president and chief technology officer (CTO), effective June 30. Dr. Patrick Brown: Dr. Brown is responsible for upholding the strong relationship between the medical staff and the Information Services (IS) department, ensuring that communications are effective and the interests of both groups are translated appropriately. Philip Karp: As BayCare’s new CTO, Karp is responsible for overseeing the current and long-term strategic direction of infrastructure hardware and software technologies, clinical engineering operations and governance, platform currency, and operational excellence to ensure audit readiness and security/service excellence for the enterprise infrastructure. 

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HCA Florida Englewood Hospital conducted a full-scale emergency preparedness drill simulating a high school bus accident, in coordination with the Englewood Fire District and the Charlotte County Florida ARES Amateur Radio group. The exercise was designed to test and strengthen the hospital’s response to a mass casualty incident, ensuring staff and first responders are prepared to act swiftly and effectively in a real emergency. Volunteer actors portraying students, teachers and a bus driver were staged at a mock accident scene in the hospital parking lot. Emergency personnel from the Englewood Fire Department responded as they would in a real-life scenario, working alongside hospital staff to triage and treat simulated patients. 

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Join us for the inspiring 10th Annual SRQ Women Who Roar Leadership and Awards Luncheon, celebrating local women leaders who significantly impact our community. Enjoy a dynamic program featuring the introduction of the esteemed 2025 Leadership Circle inductees, engaging PopUp Boutiques, and opportunities to network during our post-event reception. 

Get ready to be inspired at the Annual Giving Coast Luncheon: Philanthropic Agenda & Good Hero Awards, recognizing local changemakers. Join us in bringing the philanthropic community together on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Michael's On East and help celebrate the nonprofit spirit of our area. Featuring a panel of distinguished philanthropic leaders discussing giving trends, the honorable Good Hero Awards, and the interactive Giving Tree Program, this event will be nothing short of spectacular. Also highlighting the acclaimed SRQ Lifetime Good Hero Achievement Award, the program will uplift attendees and spark meaningful change. 

Reserve your space in SRQ Magazines' September publication, featuring three opportunities to spotlight your business: Living Lakewood, connecting Lakewood Ranch businesses with the community; Elite Top Attorneys, spotlighting the region’s most trusted legal professionals; and In Conversation: Career-Based Education, a dialogue on workforce development and training. Secure your space and connect with our readers. Contact us!