My name is Talan Yorn, also known as “The Lyme Ninja.” In a previous blog on LymeDisease.org, I shared my personal journey and battle with Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections.

Despite these obstacles, I want to show people that we can overcome them, no matter how big or small. By sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire others to “Never Give Up, Never Back Down, and Never Stop Fighting.”

Do you ever feel alone battling illness, especially Lyme disease? The recurring story I hear from other Lyme warriors is that they feel unseen, unheard, misunderstood, isolated and mistreated. As a fellow Lyme warrior, I know what it’s like to feel alone and hopeless.

My story is different from others you might have heard. I was never bitten by a tick. Rather, I contracted Lyme disease from my mother in utero and have had it my whole life, though I wasn’t diagnosed until age  7. This explained all the symptoms I’d experienced since birth: difficulty walking, joint pain, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, night terrors, vomiting, fevers-the list goes on.

In 2017, I experienced a period of remission. I felt like a normal kid, going to school for full days without being sent home, playing baseball on a travel team, and living a normal life without remembering what it felt like to be sick.

Setback and recovery

Six months into remission, the unthinkable happened. We were exposed to toxic mold in our house, and I became bedridden. We lost all our belongings, and I had to quit playing baseball and stop going to school. I was bedridden for three years, during which we had to move four times due to mold exposure in our homes. The moving was taxing on our family, both physically and financially.

Finally, after three years of being bedridden and free from mold exposure, I started seeing improvements. This is where my story as “The Lyme Ninja” begins. The monthly IV treatments I received started helping me feel better. I was no longer bedridden and could go outside, run around, and feel almost free.

During those three bedridden years, I had been in too much pain, both mentally and physically, to care about everything I had lost. All I wanted was to feel better. I felt alone, isolated, and hopeless, constantly asking, “Why?” It felt like my suffering was meaningless. Unlike other illnesses where people receive support, Lyme patients are often dismissed and told, “It’s all in your head,” even by doctors, family members and friends. Lyme disease is LONELY!

As my health improved, even slightly, I wanted to do something to support others suffering because no one deserves to go through what I have gone through alone. At the age of six, I discovered “American Ninja Warrior,” which became a passion of mine. After being bedridden, I rediscovered my dream of becoming an American Ninja Warrior. This part of my journey began with training in flashy tricks with swords, flipping, twirling, and slashing. The facility I trained at also had American Ninja Warrior obstacles. The moment I saw those obstacles, it was time to shift from swords to flying in the air on obstacles.

The Lyme Ninja’s progress

After relentless training for hours, days, weeks, months and now years, I gained a strength I’d never had. My will to fight and overcome obstacles was always there. I wanted to be the best ninja so after a year of training, I started competing nationally in the pro division with the best ninjas in the nation. Even though I wasn’t winning and kept failing over and over again, I continued to get back up, stronger each time. I use my love for Ninja Warrior as a platform for Lyme disease, hence the name “Lyme Ninja.”

I still receive IV treatment two days a month in order to function. Every day, I battle symptoms and conditions, including: Lyme disease, Babesia, Bartonella, EDS, mast cell activation syndrome, POTS, immune deficiency, chronic pneumonia, multiple viruses, CIRS (mold illness), PANS, and anemia. Any one of these illnesses can be disabling by itself. Dealing with all of them is overwhelming and exhausting. Those who know me understand that I will not let this stop me from achieving my goals.

Talan Yorn with Congressman Kevin Kiley

Through American Ninja Warrior, I have found my passion and purpose as the “Lyme Ninja.” I use my skills and abilities as a ninja warrior to raise awareness for Lyme disease and advocate for funding for research, treatment, prevention, and education, as not many people and doctors are aware of the true danger of this disease.

I have advocated with the Center for Lyme Action, speaking with congressional and senatorial representatives. Recently, I met in person with my local representative, Congressman Kevin Kiley, to discuss these topics.

After all these years, I wonder what my purpose was and why I had to suffer for so long and continue to suffer. Recently, I realized my true purpose is to use my experiences to help others who share similar struggles. Each obstacle I complete brings me one step closer to beating Lyme disease and helping more people like me.

The Mega Wall

One of my biggest achievements is conquering the 20-foot Mega Wall.

I am the youngest to make it up that wall! I was 15 ½ years old at the time. I am now 16.

There are Ninja Leagues WNL and UNAA that host world championships. I qualified for both, one is in North Carolina, and one is in Anaheim. I live in California, so we have chosen Anaheim. The best ninjas in the nation will compete for the championship title. The event will be aired on ESPN2 in August.

In addition, I continue to advocate, and I am gaining sponsorship support. These sponsorships help me with my advocacy. I will continue to advocate for each one of us. I know that all things are possible. I believe with my faith in God we will overcome!

You can follow Talan’s journey via his website, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.