How This Season 7 American Ninja Warrior Contestant Is Giving Back

They relish a challenge and want to honor their brothers, so they plan to don 80-pound bomb suits, carry a big American flag and "run" 13.1 miles for Veterans and for 'Merica!

I met Daniel Glenn three years ago. Without even knowing that he was in the military I felt safe for some reason. Most anyone who knows him would back me up when I say that he has a special way of making you feel like he would protect and fight for you. But, that's because he does. Born and raised in South Florida, Daniel is a Special Operations Officer and EOD technician who diffuses bombs for a living. If that weren't enough, the New York Times recently announced him as one of the recipients of the highly prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship. #SwoonWorthy

Swooning aside, Daniel, like every Veteran in America, swore an oath to fight for you, and your family, and your friends – no matter what. As a Special Ops Officer he, alongside his men, daily risk their lives so that you and I can enjoy the sweet freedom that this country offers. Daniel is currently deployed in the Middle East and even amidst the missions, lack of sleep, and long work hours he has found time to commit (once again) to honor his brothers by helping to raise money for the EOD Warrior Foundation.

The last time he deployed, it was within days of us having met each other. It was the end of the summer, classes would be starting the next week, and he would be half-way across the world. And then it hit me, I was dreading 16 weeks of an 8:00 AM lecture, and he would be working so that I even had the right to dread that class. All I wanted to do was thank him.

That warm café latte you picked up at the Starbucks drive-thru during your morning commute? Thank a Veteran. The picture of the snowman you were able to post to Facebook unhindered and unregulated by imposing government entities? Thank a Veteran. The new lead your small business converted to a consumer because of free enterprise? Thank a Veteran. Do you see the pattern here?

There are two categories of soldiers – those who don't make it back and those who do. However, every soldier that does come back, does not come back unscathed. To combat this, the EOD Warrior Foundation supports, "active-duty and veteran wounded, injured or ill EOD warriors through financial assistance, education, hope and wellness, and EOD memorial care." It is not enough to simply identify someone's need, it takes empathy to move a person to action and the EOD Warrior Foundation extends their hands to be a pillar of support for this community of true Warriors.

Daniel has won a very prestigious scholarship, has had an extremely enriching and successful career, and has even made an appearance on American Ninja Warrior. But, if you were to ask him what gives him the most joy, he will undoubtedly answer you with a smile and say, "When I'm fighting for what I believe in".

If anything, Danny believes in you, and in me, and in the American spirit that should fuel us to fight for our freedom. Help us fight for our military who has long been fighting for us! This March in Virginia Beach at the Yuengling Anthem Half-Marathon, he and his team will attempt to run 13.1 miles in 80-pound bomb suits. The truth is, you don't have to be in the military to be a hero; you can do your part in the fight for freedom by simply fighting for our Veterans. Help Daniel and his team of warriors reach their goal !