Meet Melbourne’s inner southeast competitors tackling Australian Ninja Warrior

Australian Ninja Warrior is about to return to our TV screens and a mum of two from Elwood and a cancer survivor from Malvern East will feature on Channel 9’s hit show this season. These are their unique stories.

Mel Armstrong with her husband and two boys, Duke and Sonny. She is returning to Australian Nina Warrior.

An Elwood mum with “unfinished business” and a Malvern East cancer survivor are representing Melbourne’s inner southeast on this season’s Australian Ninja Warrior.

Mel Armstrong made it to the semi-finals of the obstacle game show last season after friends persuaded her to apply.

“It was absolutely peer pressure but I’m so glad they did,” she said.

“But I want to prove to myself I can do better this season, even though I did surprise myself with how well I did last season.”

A mum of two young boys, Ms Armstrong said she was a superstar of the schoolyard after last year’s show.

Mel Armstrong competing on Australian Ninja Warrior.

“Kids love Ninja Warrior so doing the school pick-up was fun,” she said.

Ms Armstrong said she had been training since last season wrapped to be prepared for another round.

“I’m 39 now and I could have easily convinced myself I was too old or I should be doing something else with my time but life I think goes so quickly,” she said.

“This is such a unique experience that I have loved being part of.”

Max Pertzel, a 22-year-old personal trainer, had his life turned upside down last year when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

“When I was told it was cancer I just had all these emotions floating in my head,” Mr Pertzel said.

Max Pertzel competing on the extreme obstacle course.

“I was confused and angry because I am healthy, active, don’t smoke, hardly drink — I was doing everything right.

“It felt like things were closing in fast.”

To make matters worse, Mr Pertzel said the small lump on his head was originally misdiagnosed as benign.

Then he found out it was dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, a rare form of skin cancer.

“I did the stats and I worked it out to affect 350 people out of 7 billion,” Mr Pertzel said.

After life-saving surgery, Mr Pertzel was determined to continue his fitness journey, which included applying for Ninja Warrior.

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“I always liked the show but going on it never felt urgent to me until I went through this,” he said.

“I just thought, life is way to short, and what do you have to lose?

“Even if you fall off at the first obstacle it’s still an awesome experience.”

Mr Pertzel said he had a positive outlook on life post-cancer.

“Now that I’m healthy, I can dream again.”

Australian Ninja Warrior airs on Channel 9 at 7.30pm Monday, July 9.

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