Picayune native Jasmine Cochran will be featured on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior on June 8th at 7 p.m.
Cochran grew up in Picayune, and attended Picayune Junior High and Memorial High School. During those years, she was a member of the basketball and track teams.
After graduation, Cochran attended Jackson State University on a basketball scholarship. However, when Cochran’s scholarship was not renewed she transferred to Mississippi State University on a track scholarship where she was strictly a high jumper. Cochran graduated from MSU in 2006 with a degree in English.
“My original plan was to go to law school, but the summer before my senior year I realized I didn’t want to do that,” said Cochran.
Cochran got married right after college, and moved with her husband to Texas where she began trying to find her way.
“That was hard for me not having a clear idea of that I wanted to do, because I am a very goal oriented person,” said Cochran.
Cochran tried a number of things before she decided to work at a gym started by her brother as a personal trainer.
“I help people go get the lives they want,” said Cochran.
All the way through school, Cochran had a love for sports and staying physically fit, which continued even after college.
“I never really felt like I was done competing, I was just struggling to find a place where I was comfortable,” said Cochran.
Cochran had always been a huge fan of the television show American Ninja Warrior, a show that features different obstacle courses. With each season she convinced herself she had what it took to compete.
At the end of last season, Cochran decided to apply for the show and sent in a tape.
“After you send your tape you have to wait for them to call, which is the hard part,” said Cochran.
Cochran received a call from NBC on March 3rd informing her that she would be competing on the show at the end of the month.
“It was just incredible to get that call,” said Cochran.
Cochran, who had never even been on an obstacle course, knew she had her work cut out for her.
“I knew I would have to step up my game especially mentally,” said Cochran.
Cochran went to Gauntlet Fitness, an obstacle course gym in Oklahoma, twice to train for the show.
Since every city’s obstacles on the show are different, Cochran did not know exactly what to expect.
“You only see the course once, and the only time you are allowed on it is when you are competing,” said Cochran.
Cochran competed in Houston, and her episode will air on June 8th at 7 p.m. on NBC.
The Applebee’s on Memorial Boulevard will host a watch party for the show from 7-9 p.m. Applebee’s will be offering a 10 percent discount off the final bill during the watch party, and Cochran is asking for that 10 percent to be donated to Crossroads Food Pantry. Anyone interested in donating can ask their Applebee’s server for more details the night of the watch party.