He Ran 250km Through the Desert (With His Toes Hanging Out) - Ben Seymour’s Wildest Story Yet

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with personal trainer, former pro athlete and founder of RHISE Performance, Ben Seymour, to uncover what drives someone to push beyond the limits most people would never dream of crossing. From ultramarathons in the Atacama Desert to building a fast-growing performance supplement brand, Ben shares the mindset, discipline and purpose behind everything he does, and why integrity matters more than ever in the fitness industry. Together, Lily and Ben discuss: • The evolution – Ben’s journey from professional rugby to online coaching, recovery therapy and now launching RISE Performance. • Fuel, focus, performance – why he created RISE products, how endurance training exposed gaps in the supplement market, and why women deserve better performance formulas too. • Carrying 16kg through the desert – the wild reality of a 250km self-supported ultramarathon across Atacama, dehydration, altitude, torn-open shoes and the mental battles in 45-degree heat. • Internal vs external purpose – how charity work, family, and a bigger “why” helped him push through some of the darkest points on the course. • From rut to resilience – life after sport, rebuilding identity, and finding new challenges after leaving the team environment of rugby. • The discipline blueprint – lessons from childhood, travel, and elite sport that shaped his work ethic and integrity today. • The danger of “fitness influencers” – why clickbait, fake marathon times and unqualified coaches are harming the industry and how to find credible guidance. • Moving forward with RHISE – building a media-led performance brand, showcasing everyday athletes, and creating space for female-focused performance products. • Purpose in action – Ben’s passion for Kids Foundation, supporting children with trauma, and how he plans to integrate charity into future RHISE events.