For fans of “American Ninja Warrior,” you know what it takes to complete the show’s daunting obstacle courses: big biceps, balance, a strong grip and a winning smile. Competitors make flinging themselves across pools of water, hanging by their fingertips and scaling walls look easy.

But ask DeJuan Hathaway and he’ll tell you that skirting disaster is an adrenalin rush. The former Hawaii resident, who will compete on the NBC show’s June 29 episode, says nothing tests an athlete like the “Warrior’s” challenges such as the Salmon Ladder and Warped Wall.

“It is not like your typical everyday gym or playground you can go to,” Hathaway said in a call from Fayetteville, N.C. “It challenges pretty much every aspect of your athletic skills. Your speed. Your agility. Your strength. Your cardio. Your stamina. These obstacle courses attack every skill you have.”

The show is modeled after the uber-popular Japanese version “Sasuke,” which has aired in 157 countries. According to NBC, more than 700 contestants will compete in the American show to earn a chance at the $1 million grand prize, with the national finals to be held in Las Vegas. Hathaway’s episode was filmed at a qualifier in Pittsburgh, but he is prohibited from revealing the results before the show airs.

“I really wanted to compete on ‘American Ninja Warrior’ because I knew it would challenge me physically in a way that I’ve never been pushed before,” Hathaway said. “On TV, it looks really easy, but it’s totally different when you compete in person.”

University of Hawaii sports fans may remember the 33-year-old Hathaway from when he worked as a strength and conditioning coach in the Manoa athletic department after enrolling in a master’s program for kinesiology in 2006. Hathaway also has a degree in physical education with a minor in business from Maryville (Tenn.) College, where he also played football.

Hathaway helped train the 2007 Colt Brennan-led Hawaii football team that went 12-0 in the regular season and earned a trip to New Orleans to play in the Sugar Bowl. That same year he also supervised fitness routines for the women’s soccer team, which won the Western Athletic Conference title.

“I was fortunate to be a part of so many good memories with the university that I will cherish forever,” Hathaway said. “The people in Hawaii welcomed me and made me feel at home.”

While in Hawaii, Hathaway delved into mixed martial arts and learned from former MMA-competitor-turned-fitness-trainer Egan Inoue.

Hathaway put his advanced degree to work right away. Three days after graduating from UH in 2009, he secured a position at Marine Corps Base, Hawaii, training Marines and members of the Navy. He worked for three years on base and the job helped his career take off. The military appreciated Hathaway’s unique skill set and knowledge of strength and conditioning techniques, he said.

“Everybody, at least once in their life, is looking to get in shape so my knowledge of fitness and business go hand in hand,” Hathaway said. “Martial arts go along well with training the military, and that helps set me apart from other trainers because I have that background. Hawaii really set that path for me.”

In 2012, Hathaway moved to North Carolina to work at Fort Bragg as a strength and conditioning instructor for the Army’s Special Forces units.

“It’s really satisfying to see the guys and ladies that I work with sacrificing so much for our nation and it’s enjoyable to work out with and watch them achieve their goals,” Hathaway said.

Hathaway continues to train as a mixed martial artist and hopes to compete soon with the goal of bolstering his 5-0 record, which includes two wins as a professional. While he normally weighs about 175 pounds, Hathaway competes at 135 or 145 pounds.

“I still train every day and I’m looking to fight professionally with the goal of making it to the (Ultimate Fighting Championship),” he said. “I’m pretty confident that once I make that run again, I can go for the big show.”

Hathaway trained for “American Ninja Warrior” with regular visits to obstacle courses at Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, Ga. He also worked out regularly in the gym. But he had to be ready for anything, he said.

“You don’t know what to expect,” Hathaway said. “With a sport you can prepare for a lot of it. It reminds me of an MMA fight or some kind of hand-to-hand combat. You have to be prepared for the unexpected.”

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