Isabella Wakeham is one of the fastest-growing athletes in competitive obstacle course sports. She is most recognized through her appearances on American Ninja Warrior Season 17 and has become an icon of strength, accuracy, and optimism in the sport that was dominated by men.

Wakeham has dazzled the audiences and even the fellow contestants with her distinct combination of power, flexibility, and ability to remain calm under pressure. Her steady performances, electric personality, and constant drive have gained her a reputation as a serious competitor and a role model to young women joining the sport.
Having already won championships, broken records, and televised victories, she remains a force to be reckoned with and a pioneer in raising the bar of female ninjas worldwide. Isabella emerged as one of the strong contestants of this season, and she will compete with Jaleesa Himka in the upcoming rounds of American Ninja Warrior.
Isabella Wakeham Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Isabella Wakeham Folsom |
| Birth Date: | January 21, 2004 |
| Age: | 22 Years |
| Birthplace: | Cypress, Texas, USA |
| Height: | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Husband: | Sam Folsom |
Early Life
Isabella Wakeham was born on January 21, 2004, in Cypress, Texas, in a busy and supportive family. Ever since she was young, she developed an instinct to be active—most of the time climbing, racing, and imitating her favorite athletes on television.
She took an interest in American Ninja Warrior when she was around nine years old and requested her parents to sign her up at a local ninja gym. It did not take very long before coaches and family alike could see her potential. By the age of twelve, she started participating in local and regional ninja competitions and frequently competed with her older brother, who would train with her.
In addition to ninja, Isabella was also trained in ballet and contemporary dancing, which fostered her coordination and control, which eventually benefited her obstacle performances. Later in life, this adherence to strict movement and competition gave her a solid background to become an elite athlete.
Isabella Wakeham Career
Isabella Wakeham started competing in the World Ninja League (previously National Ninja League) as a teenager and soon showed her prowess, having won two titles in the pro division. In 2020, she became the first teenager to be invited to American Ninja Warrior as part of the first-ever teen wave, surviving qualifiers and city finals.
Season 17 of the show was her moment to shine; she was the only woman in her Houston qualifier who didn’t just finish the course and make it to the nationally televised semi-finals. Outside of TV, she has still been competing in some of the bigger ninja events, juggling gym time, fitness coaching, and her own competitive schedule.
She has also become a mentor of sorts to younger athletes at her home gym, guiding them through their ninja careers. Isabella also tours often to give clinics and workshops in which she educates aspiring ninjas on technique, mindset, and resilience.
Isabella Wakeham is making a difference that goes beyond the barriers; she is making a contribution towards the future of the sport at the grassroots level. She has a Guinness World Record for the fastest female 15 m rope climb and has competed in a world-record performance in Italy. Such awards confirm her as a formidable player both locally and internationally.
Personal Life
Isabella Wakeham is married to another American Ninja Warrior participant, Sam Folsom. The two were introduced by competing and shared interests in ninja sports. In a touching proposal in favor of Season 17, Sam caught her off-guard on stage, proposing to her, which was announced publicly during the broadcast of the show.
The experiences of training together, competing together, and chasing their goals together are indicative of a strong union that succeeds when the pressure is on. The interaction did not go unnoticed by the audience, and hearts on social media were fluttering with this interaction.
Social Media
Isabella Wakeham has 57.6K followers on her account under the handle @isabella.ninja, where she shares a vibrant balance of training videos, competition highlights, and personal videos. She shares useful advice on technique, strength work, and mental preparation, all meant to inspire her expanding following.
Her work features challenges overcome, backstage preparation, and positive motivation. She also posts cultural or event highlights of her Houston community, with a healthy balance of athletic ambition and local pride.
Isabella Wakeham Net Worth
Isabella Wakeham is only 21 years old, yet her net worth is estimated to be between 150,000 and 250,000 dollars. This consists of prize money in World Ninja League championship events and her American Ninja Warrior appearances. She further derives income from speaking engagements, coaching at gymnastics clinics, sponsorships, and gym appearances. As her profile and brand partnerships increase, her financial path will follow suit with her professional and business endeavors.