Sometimes the hardest exterior has the softest interior. When you first meet Devin “Dougie Fresh” Harrelson, the first thing you notice is his awesome mohawk hair, muscular build and all-around tough exterior. But all it takes is a few minutes talking to him and you soon realize this rough and tough exterior has a heart of gold. If Devin’s name sounds familiar, then you are likely a fan of the television show American Ninja Warrior. As a regular on the obstacle course competition show, Devin was given the nick-name “Dougie Fresh” because of his winning personality, and of course, amazing style. With his light-up shoes and selfies on the course, it took no time at all for Devin to make a name for himself on the ninja warrior circuit.
Always into fitness and weightlifting, Devin’s first love was art. He has a bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design from UNC-Charlotte and owns his own tattoo parlor. Although fitness and training have always been a passion for Devin, it wasn’t until he and his wife, Kelly, were watching American Ninja Warrior during a family vacation in Myrtle Beach in 2014 that the thought of becoming a contestant ever crossed his mind, or more accurately, crossed Kelly’s mind. “I just thought the show was awesome, but that night Kelly said ‘I think you can do this,’ but I said no way!” Kelly didn’t take her husband’s less than enthusiastic response to her encouragement as anything more than a challenge. “She said she was going to sign me, but I didn’t believe her,” Devin said.
Six months went by before Devin found out just how serious Kelly was about signing him up. “Kelly came to my tattoo shop and said that she put me down as a reference for a job and that they would be calling me. The phone rang and as soon as I picked up she immediately started recording the conversation on her phone,” he said. Completely unaware that his wife had sent in information about him to producers, Devin was shocked when he picked up the call and learned that he would be traveling to Orlando to compete on the show. “I get chills just thinking about it,” he said. Not only was he going to be on the show, but he was leaving in three weeks! “I didn’t know what to expect, but we started making plans to leave,” he said.
Getting on the show was thanks to Kelly, but staying on the show for more than one season was all Devin’s doing. Finding athletes that are skilled enough to compete on the show is challenging, but finding athletes that are skilled and have a personality that will resonate with the audience is difficult to find. That’s why as soon as the hosts and producers met Devin and dubbed him “Dougie Fresh,” they knew they had someone their audience would love and cheer on, and they have been for the last four years. Devin and his family have traveled to Florida, Kansas and Nevada with their Ninja Warrior family and have had many amazing experiences along the way. “We are a driving family, so we drove from North Carolina to Kansas. We like to stop at different places along the way and see as many sights as we can.” The “Dougie Fresh” family is extremely tight-knit and ever growing. Devin and Kelly recently welcomed twin boys to the Harrelson family. The twins joined Devin and Kelly’s 12-year-old son and Kelly’s daughter as the littlest ninjas in the family. “They are already trying to maneuver themselves out of their bouncy seats,” Devin said. Like father, like son(s). Devin’s mother told him that he used to try to climb out of his high chair as a baby ninja. Perhaps we will see a father/son competition team in the Harrelson family future?
hen Devin isn’t flying across large bodies of water or scaling 18-foot walls, he is usually spending time at his tattoo parlor, but the gym is never far away. In fact, Devin recently opened Ninja Techniques Obstacle Training Gym on Garner Station Rd, and has his tattoo parlor at the back of the gym. Once you walk through the doors of Ninja Techniques gym you immediately see Devin’s touch everywhere. He has recreated a ninja obstacle course right in the heart of the Triangle that is sure to give even the toughest warrior a run for their money. With two warped walls, a climbing rope, beams, a rock-climbing wall and so much more, Devin has poured his love of all things ninja and his love and talent for art into one combined spot. Adorned with original artwork that Devin created for his space, the gym is the perfect combination of warrior and artist, just like Devin.
But the gym isn’t just for the seasoned warrior veteran. Devin has open gym hours Wednesday-Friday from 12:00pm – 2:00pm and 4:00pm – 8:00pm, Tuesdays from 4:00pm – 8:00pm, Saturdays from 12:00pm – 8:00pm and Sundays from 12:00pm-6:00pm. For $15 anyone can come and test their skills on the ninja course, with Devin close at hand. He also offers classes on Tuesdays for ages 6-9 and 10-12 and Thursdays for teens and adults. The cost for the group classes is $25, or 6 classes for $115. Devin is there every step of the way training, teaching and encouraging everyone who walks through his doors.
Throughout Devin’s journey on American Ninja Warrior, he has had the constant support and encouragement of his family and friends. One friend, Fuquay Firefighter Chris, AKA “Smitty,” was a constant supporter for Devin. The two have been friends since high school and to Chris, Devin could accomplish anything. “He thought I was crazy, but he thought I could do anything,” Devin said. On October 17, 2017 Devin’s close friend died in a single vehicle accident on his way home from work. “I spoke with him the night before he died, and I can remember it was State Fair time because he was talking about getting a turkey leg,” he said. The next morning Devin got a call from a mutual friend that worked with Chris and he learned that Chris rolled his truck only three miles from his home, leaving a wife and a two-year-old. With a voice full of emotion, Devin recalled that his friendship with Chris was “the kind of friendship where we could go a long time without talking and then we just jumped right back in like no time had passed. We were so close.” As Devin continues to talk about Chris, and how he was also into fitness and the connection the two had because of that, a smile crosses his face and he said, “I can still hear him say stuff in my head when I’m training.” There is no doubt that Chris was extremely proud of his dear friend’s accomplishments and Devin will continue to compete and train knowing that his friend will always be whispering encouraging words in his ear.
After the death of his friend, Devin once again was training for the next round of American Ninja Warrior. He had opened his gym and while training on July 5 of this year, he took a fall that would land him in the hospital for five days. “I had no idea how bad I was hurt,” he said. When his father came by the gym after work, like he usually does, and saw Devin sitting on the floor with his head in his hands, he immediately knew something was wrong. Trying to convince his dad that he was ok, Devin told him that the bolts on one of the rods he used for training bent and gave way. Devin fell to the floor and was unconscious for a few minutes. When his family finally convinced him to go to the hospital, he learned he had fractured his skull in two places and had broken toes on both feet. Two short weeks later, Devin’s wife, Kelly, gave birth to their twin boys. Seventy-four days later, Devin was back in the gym training and working. Devin will be traveling early next year to being taping the next season of American Ninja Warrior.
The road to Ninja Warrior fame hasn’t been easy for Devin “Dougie Fresh” Harrelson. It has been filled with physical pain, emotional heartbreak and overwhelming accomplishments. But one thing has remained a constant, Devin’s unwavering determination to be better than he was yesterday and constant drive to be better tomorrow. With his wife, children, family and friends by his side and a guardian angel in his corner, there is no doubt that Devin Harrelson will climb to the top of whatever obstacle that is put in front of him.
We asked Devin to be a part of a Holly Springs tradition, which he was glad to accept. Laps For Holly Grove, which took place in October at Holly Grove Elementary school, had a Hedgehog Warrior theme this year, modeled after the show American Ninja Warrior. Devin agreed to make an appearance at both events, giving the kids an opportunity to meet one the show contestants. Although we planned to have photos in the article of Devin with some of the students, Tropical Depression Michael caused the event to be rescheduled until after press time. You can go to the hollysprings.suburbanlivingmag.com website to see photos.
