In a sport defined by strength, speed, and stamina, teenager Talan Yorn brought something else to the American Ninja Warrior stage—resilience.

Diagnosed with Lyme disease at just 7 years old—followed by mold illness and PANS—Talan spent years bedridden, fighting through pain, confusion, and isolation. But his story is anything but tragic—it’s a story of transformation.

After years of treatment, Talan rebuilt his body, his spirit, and his grip strength—and adopted the nickname “The Lyme Ninja.” When he appeared on American Ninja Warrior Season 17, he dazzled the crowd with his strength, speed, and focus, making it through the Qualifying Round.

He also used the national spotlight to raise awareness for Lyme disease, a cause close to his heart. Talan even got the show’s hosts to join his Take a Bite Out of Lyme Challenge, encouraging viewers to bite a lime, share a Lyme fact, and tag others to do the same—helping to shine a light on a misunderstood illness.

After conquering the Qualifying Round, Talan advanced to the Semi-finals, which aired this past week. In his Semi-final run, he powered through seven obstacles, falling only on the brutal Corkscrew, which ultimately knocked him out of the race.

Watch it here:

He may not have advanced to the Finals, but his mission was bigger than that. Talan’s presence on the course was a victory for awareness, advocacy, and every kid watching from home, daring to dream of their own moment on the big stage.

TOUCHED BY LYME is written by Dorothy Kupcha Leland, President of LymeDisease.org. She is co-author of Finding Resilience: A Teen’s Journey Through Lyme Disease and of When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide. Contact her at dleland@lymedisease.org.