NICHOLAS COOLRIDGE
Nicholas Coolridge or should I say “ModernTarzan” is recognized worldwide as a movement artist who has been captivating the internet with his off-the-wall photography & viral videos. His unique and playful media creations will blow your mind and often make you smile or laugh at the same time! It’s not surprising he has over 400,000 followers on Instagram alone.
The world started noticing him when he proved his superhuman strengths as one of the strongest competitors on the hit TV show American Ninja Warrior. He’s a 4x national finalist with multiple all-star gold medals and as well as chosen to be team captain on the spin-off TV series Ninja VS Ninja.
On top of that Tarzan has become a master Acro Yoga performer/instructor with over 12 years of experience and training from the best in the globe. He travels the world sharing this passion through classes, workshops, retreats, and performances.
Many will know Tarzan from his truly positive, down to earth and simplistic lifestyle. He is one of little possessions and for a good portion of his adult life lived and traveled the country in a van he modified into a home.
Before his movement career took off, Nicholas grew up building houses with his Father (Paul) and studied in college as an automotive technician. Movement and media were just a pastime hobby up until one of his first Youtube videos went viral. This was the first spark that guided him onto devoting his life to his love of movement and bringing joy through creative content.
Besides his three favorite activities Acro Yoga, Parkour, and Handstands he also loves spending his time traveling the world, playing the piano, unplugging in nature, cooking fresh food, or fixing things.
You won’t have to hang out with him long to see that he truly embodies his stage name Tarzan but with a touch of practical wisdom and love for technology hence the Modern part.
Highlights & The History of Nicholas Coolridge
July 2022
Movement Retreat ✨SOLD OUT✨
This year marks ModernTarzan’s 4th annual Movement Retreat. The theme is “Grow Younger” and this is accomplished through movement, creativity, play, and human connection. Think of it like a transformational summer camp for adults! This event was co-host Dominick Cole taught morning yoga and breathe work experiences. Join us next year in Costa Rica! 🇨🇷 Click here for more info
“I felt so honored to be able to share skills and experiences in such a beautiful location with amazing people that truly desired to live their best lives! Thanks so much to everyone that joined! 😄 Already preparing for the next one.” -Tarzan
April 2022
Certified as a Freediver
The Aquaman side of Tarzan has been unlocked!
Trained and certified by debatably the best freediving school in the world, Malchonov’s FreeDiving Education.
After 4 days of training Tarzan dove to a depth of 30 meters (100 feet) in a single breath!
This was one of the most mind-blowing experiences Tarzan has ever had and afterward said he felt more superhuman than ever! “I went into it feeling nervous and came out of it feeling inspired and very alive!” - Tarzan
Dec. 2021
popping on Instagram reels
Two creative people are better than one! This short video created by ModernTarzan and Chelsea Kauai took off on Instagram’s new reels feature earning them some impressive reviews.
Over 1,100,000 likes,
3,100 comments
18,000,000 plays
and 80,000 saves
See the post here
Aug. 2019
Going Viral as Spider Man
Dressed up as Spider Man Nicholas filmed a viral video with Youtube Star Jesse Wellens on the Streets of Venice.
The video now has over 30 Million views!
May 2019
AcroYoga Retreat in Bali
This image was taken from one of Tarzan’s previous AcroYoga Adventure retreats in Bali.
May 28th - June 3rd, 2019
Tarzan has been practicing the art of AcroYoga and Partner Acrobatics for over 10 years now!
April 2019
Sky Diving Solo
As of April 2019, Tarzan is now a certified Solo Skydiver. With two weeks of training and a total of 25 solo jumps, he obtained his class A Skydiving license with the Elevate training school.
His 25th Jump was out of a hot Air Balloon where he sent the slowest gainer and craziest gainer of his life!
March 2019
Quarter Million Followers
After 5 years of dedicated creativity on Instagram ModernTarzan now has an online fanbase of over 250,000 followers!
“I never would have imagined that my love for movement would take me this far. The fact that people want to take pictures with me on the street is unreal! and funny because I honestly don’t feel anything different than I did 5 years ago!”
Dec. 2018
Scuba Certified
Another life goal accomplished! Breathing underwater.
Nicholas is officially scuba-certified! In collaboration with PADI the largest scuba organization in the world with a diving school in the Caribbean.
June 2018 - February 2019
VAN life Acro Yoga USA tour
It’s been a goal of Nicholas’ to drive across the States in his renovated VW Westfalia camper van for the last 8 years and it’s finally happening with his partner Dana Arnold.
Dana and Him decided that besides exploring and creating movement art together that they turn the trip into an Acro Yoga tour! They had the pleasure of teaching in Denver, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Chicago, New York, and DC.
Oct. 2018
Wolf Pack Ninjas
Branching off with the top Ninjas from American Ninja Warrior, Wolf Pack Ninjas were born!
Their first 2 tour events were an amazing success with a live ninja competition for all ages.
Nicholas placed 3rd in the Pro League division.
See the Competition runs here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ugUSa7RCyA
Sept 2018
National Finalist for the 4th year!
At this point, it would be more surprising if Tarzan didn’t make it to the Nationals. This is his fourth straight season on American Ninja Warrior and each time has qualified for the nationals.
He placed 2nd place in the region.
See one of his runs here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64V8afQ1M6I
May 2018
American Ninja warrior podcast
Tarzan was selected to be on the first episode of the American Warrior Podcast. He was interviewed on how he got started, how Ninja Warrior came into his life, how it has shaped it, and much more.
Recorded with the show hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila
Find the Episode with Nicholas here - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/american-ninja-warrior-podcast/id1387937302?mt=2
April 2018
Acro Yoga Retreat - Dominican Republic
Tarzan & Sprout’s 2nd Caribbean AcroYoga Retreat.
Spreading the love of Acro with another week-long training adventure.
Keep an eye out for their next group adventure!
March 2018
Podcast w/ the Better Human Project
“Acro Yoga Stars Tarzan and Sprout talk Human Connection, Play, Communication and the Power of Self-Expression.”
In the picture you see Tarzan putting the host Ryan Munsey into his favorite partner acro move.
Listen to Episode 12 - bit.ly/betterhumanproject
Feb 2018
Ninja VS Ninja Team Captain
Tarzan was selected for the third time to be on the show Ninja VS Ninja but this time to be a team captain.
His team “Hashtag Ninjas” is made up of parkour athlete Jesse La Flair, Ninja Warrior Larissa Cottle, and Himself.
See one of his races here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1pW1ufD39c
Sept. 2017
third year on American Ninja Warrior
Tarzan is no longer a rookie. He has built a name for himself in the ninja world and continues to live up to his reputation
Third season on American Ninja Warrior and third time qualifying for the National Finals.
He placed 3rd place in his region.
Feb. 2017
Team Ninja Warrior Season 2
Selected as one of the All-Star Ninjas from American Ninja Warrior to be on the first season of the spin off show Team Ninja Warrior!
Competing with Jessie Graff and Jesse La Flair as team G-Force.
He is the one and only ninja to complete the warped wall without shoes on in competition.
See one of his runs here! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk2XAmbZKGk
Dec. 2016
Ninja Warrior - Team Christine
As one of the top competitors on his second season of American Ninja Warrior Nicholas was chosen to be a part of Team Christine during a bonus all-stars competition
Their team got 1st place in the competition!
Here’s just one of their successful runs.
June 2016
American Ninja Warrior season 8
Accepted back onto American ninja warrior Nicholas had no problem qualifying for the national finals.
After making it further than he had before he finished the season as one of the top 20 Ninjas in the nation!
Nov. 2016
Big air grab Champion
Selected as an all-star competitor to compete on the “Big air grab” launching himself almost 17 feet off a trampoline to grab onto a floating platform suspended above the water.
1st place WINNER
Feb. 2016
Team Ninja Warrior
Selected as one of the All-Star Ninjas from American Ninja Warrior to be on the first season of the spin off show Team Ninja Warrior!
Competing with Jessie Graff and Travis Brewer as team G-Force.
Filmed in Los Angeles California
See one of his runs here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9q3LEuMd2c
Jan. 2016
Skin Wars Model
Worked as a model on the body art competition show Skin Wars.
He had to stand still for over an hour as his entire body was painted.
You can see him in the upper right corner of the photo.
June 2015
ANW - The only finisher!
During Tarzan’s rookie year on American Ninja Warrior, he ended up being the ONLY competitor to be able to complete the course in his region! This was an incredible feat and immediately boosted him up to being known as one of the top competitors on the show.
Watch his run here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MM5uhiearg
Jan. 2015
Notice by the news
Shortly after moving to Los Angeles Nicholas was already started to get noticed.
Interviewed by CBSN news about the concept of Parkour and what it is all about.
Feb. 2014
@ModernTarzan was Born
After lots of encouragement from his peers and professionals, Nicholas begins his journey in the social media world known as Modern Tarzan.
It took him 6 months to grow his first 600 followers but then only another 6 months to grow to 10,000. Now with over 400,000 fans on Instagram alone!
Little did he know that social media would become the most valuable decision of his career.
Oct. 2013
iLuv speaker comercial
Featured as the lead stunt performer Nicholas Coolridge performed his parkour skills for a iLuv Speaker commercial.
Los Angeles, CA
Sept. 2012
Paragliding Certified
After about a year of Hang Gliding Nicholas got his second air-worthy license to Paraglide. Certified through the Eagle Paragliders in Santa Barbara CA.
Flying Hang Gliders and Paragliders continued to be a huge part of Nicholas’ life for the next few years achieving some flights that lasted over 3 hours and logged over 6 hours of flight time in one day.
Sept. 2011
Hang Gliding Certified
The Dream of flying!
Hang Gliding is one of the most bird-like experiences you can have and with the lifelong dream of flying it only made sense that he would take on this sport.
Nicholas logged many hours of flight time and learned how to navigate the air solo.
See one of his flying compilation videos here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq_mpdhVgoE
Oct. 2010
First International Commercial
Nicholas Coolridge and Caitlin Kinney FreeRunning the mountains by Lone Pine California for a LaFuma Comercial.
Oct. 2009
Acro YOGA
While recovering from his wrist injury, which he had to get surgery on, Nicholas discovered Acro Yoga on his drive home from his construction job. This was a moment of pure bliss for him since it became something he could do athletically even while still recovering.
It reminded him how important movement was to his happiness and became his favorite alternative movement to Parkour.
Feb. 2009
MTV’s Ultimate Parkour Challenge TV SHOW
Selected to be one of the 8 competitors on this first-ever Parkour Competition Tv shot Nicholas was unfortunately injured with a broken wrist so instead participated as a judge.
Even though it was an amazing experience this was a heart-wrenching moment for Nicholas feeling like he had missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of the TV world.
Little did he know that later on, he would become one of the top Ninjas on American Ninja Warrior!
Jan. 2009
Literally ran away with the Circus
Hired to basically be the human monkey of the troupe Nicholas not just traveled the world performing he also literally lived in the circus warehouse building for a portion of time.
He’s the Third person from the right in this photograph
Dec. 2008
WFPF
Talk about a confidence booster!
Recognized as one of the top 20 Parkour athletes in the world Nicholas Coolridge was selected to be a part of the elite group of athletes known as WFPF - The World FreeRunning and Parkour Federation.
Oct. 2008
When he first saw his potential
This was Nicholas Coolridge’s first taste of other people enjoying his creations. Going viral with over 3 Million views it was one of the top parkour videos on the internet for the time being.
Filmed back 13 years ago with his close Parkour training buddies Michael Turner, Alex Ackerman & Brendan Doubles.