Ben Dhiman: From Sleeping by the River to UTMB

Ben Dhiman has one of the best names in the sport, and he actually earned it. We talk nicknames, alter egos, and the wild cat energy he taps into when racing, then rewind to the thru hiking years that shaped his brain, his grit, and his need to keep pushing the edge. From the AT and CDT to the Hayduke and a full-on Himalayan mission in Nepal, Ben explains why big adventures can be both glorious and miserable, and why thru hiking can “ruin you” in the best and worst ways.

Then we follow the pivot into trail running, pacing Hardrock almost by accident, showing up to races undertrained on hiking fitness and stubborn confidence, and eventually forcing the door down in Europe the old-school way, by racing hard and winning. We also get into family, balancing ambition with real life, his coaching philosophy, and why he treats winter as an off season where the work goes up and the pounding goes down.

Chapters

00:00 The Origins of the 'Demon' Nickname

05:34 Mental Clarity Through Hiking

08:25 The Impact of Thru-Hiking on Personal Growth

11:38 Transitioning to Trail Running

14:37 The Journey to Becoming a Competitive Runner

17:34 Navigating the World of Sponsorships

20:25 Racing in Europe vs. America

23:23 The Challenge of Proving Oneself

26:16 The Evolution of Thru-Hiking Experiences

30:49 Navigating the Wilderness: From Maps to Experience

33:18 The Call of the Himalayas: Planning the Adventure

35:06 Challenges in the Himalayas: Red Tape and Realities

37:58 Surviving the Elements: A Tale of Perseverance

41:43 The Role of Guides: Navigating Culture and Communication

43:24 Resupply Strategies: Making the Most of Local Resources

45:29 Reflections on Thru-Hiking: Contentment and Progression

49:35 Shifting Focus: From Thru-Hiking to Ultra Running

56:22 The Addictive Nature of Adventure: Community vs. Solitude

56:53 The Community of Thru-Hiking

01:00:28 Mental States in Long-Distance Hiking

01:05:57 The Dynamics of Team vs. Solo Hiking

01:12:37 Coaching and Evolving as an Athlete

01:19:05 Skiing as a Complement to Running

01:20:56 The Journey of Thru-Hiking and Ultra Running

01:21:28 Living Abroad and Competitive Spirit in Sports

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