Natalie Duran
Clinical Researcher / Professional Athlete
UCLA Health
Los Angeles, CA USA
“This is my chance to show people all around the world that women are stronger than people make them out to be.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationNatalie Duran
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Has a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of California, Riverside.
Works as a medical researcher at UCLA, doing clinical research in gastroenterology and studying inflammatory bowel diseases.
Whenever school or work got hard, she always found an outlet in two things: vlogging and exercising.
She’d been rock climbing for three years when she first saw American Ninja Warrior.
She realized that although she knew a lot of strong women who’d have fun and do well on the show, there weren’t many women actually featured on the show.
As someone who was already comfortable in front of a camera, she saw an opportunity to blaze a trail for women on the show.
She’s competed on American Ninja Warrior twice; on her second attempt, she became one of the first women to advance to the finals.
Her advice for academic and physical training is: always take the time to explore new things, and find yourself a good, strong support base.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Clinical Researcher / Professional Athlete
I am a clinical researcher for UCLA Health, a climber, a fitness model, and competitor on American Ninja Warrior.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Action Sports
Science
Learning / Being Challenged
Day to Day
With rock climbing and American Ninja Warrior, I typically train 4-5 days a week with 2 forced rest days. As a researcher, I work on projects dealing with stem cell-based therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. I write publications on my research. I also occasionally do television spots, fitness competitions, and brand campaigns.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Explore new things, get scared, and do things that challenge your comfort zone.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Women can't rock climb, this is a man's sport!"
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation Immigrant
Interviewed By
A Balanced Equation
Women in STEM careers
