Stephen Volcko (born in 1987) competed in the first five seasons of American Ninja Warrior.
In American Ninja Warrior 1, going by the name Steve Volcko, he completed the course, but wasn't fast enough to make it into the Top 30, placing 37th overall.
In American Ninja Warrior 2, he wanted to go fast, but slipped on the Spider Jump and didn't get into the Top 30 again.
In American Ninja Warrior 3, Volcko cleared the Qualifying course and placed 18th, moving on to the Semi-Finals for the first time. However, he fell on the Salmon Ladder and was eliminated, placing 18th overall.
In American Ninja Warrior 4, Volcko revealed that he was unemployed, living on his parents' floor and focusing on training for ANW full-time. He cleared the Qualifying course for the third time, placing 4th in the Midwest Region. Then, in the Region Finals, he got revenge on the Salmon Ladder, cleared the course, placing 4th once again, and moved on to the National Finals. In Las Vegas, he cleared the first 3 obstacles, but went out on the Jumping Spider. This was his best season to date.
In American Ninja Warrior 5, he competed in the Denver qualifier. He cleared the course, placing 22nd place. In the Denver Finals, his run was included in a digest reel of fails. Volcko had gotten atop the Salmon Ladder but used up everything he had to do so. He would attempt the Floating Stairs but immediately gas out. His time up to that point wasn't enough to place inside the top 15, thus his season came to an end.
By 2014, Volcko had now found employment and applied for season six. However, he never came back.
Volcko was not invited back, but at least he had a steady income, right?