Ben has been rock climbing since the age of 11, participating in youth competitions up to the national level before moving on to primarily climbing outdoors. This pursuit has brought him around the world to Mexico, Canada, Spain, and across the Western US in the pursuit of rock.

Ben attended the UO as a student, graduating with a BS in human physiology before returning to teach bouldering.

Ben's teaching philosophy is focused on building good fundamental technique from the ground up, focusing on why experienced climbers climb the way they do. This approach combines hands-on practice with expert feedback to help students quickly improve their skills.

In his free time, Ben enjoys playing chess, reading, exploring the outdoors, and of course, climbing.