History of Nicholas Coolridge


January 2024

High School Photography Class

Tarzan volunteered his time to do a presentation to the San Diego High School photography students on his journey as a content creator. At the end of the presentation, he asked to create a photo with the students and then this ended up happening. 🙃


August 2023

AcroYoga Retreat w/ Chelsea Kauai

This week-long AcroYoga and Communication Skills retreat was hosted by Tarzan & Chelsea down in Costa Rica. Each year Tarzan feels his retreats are only getting better and better!

“The positive feedback from the retreaters is honestly overwhelming! Hosting these retreats feels very purposeful for me.” -Tarzan


July 2023

Transformational Retreat ✨SOLD OUT✨

Another successful movement retreat except now they are seeing how transformational these retreats are for people. Beyond exercising they are now also focusing on authenticity and communication skills as well as breath work journeys.


May 2023

Taught AcroYoga in Suadi Arabia

Tarzan was flown out to Saudi Arabia as an AcroYoga Specialist to teach at the Saudi Wellness event. This is a big step for a country like this and Tarzan is proud to be a part of the shifting culture. He taught with his Acro partner Chelsea Kauai.


April 2023

Hyundai Commercial Performing AcroYoga

Modern Tarzan & Chelsea Kauai were hired to perform AcroYoga for the newest fully electric Hyundai vehicle. Shot in Joshua Tree Dessert and although it was very cold the shoot had exciting lighting design and a very fun crew to work with.


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 I have ever had! I went into it feeling nervous and came out of it feeling inspired, alive, and more superhuman than ever!” - 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 dive Certified

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

or here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeVpQ2bXo8Y


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.