In 2021, Ben suffered a traumatic brain injury while snowboarding, followed by another serious concussion a few months later. This set off a cascading series of neurological challenges that disrupted his sleep, mood, and cognitive function. Over the past few years, Ben has worked tirelessly to rebuild his health and regain stability.
Sadly, on December 1, 2024, Ben was involved in an extremely traumatic car accident (in which he was not at fault) coming home from work at Sundance Mountain Resort, causing another traumatic brain injury and chronic pain.
He hit black ice in the canyon, flipped and rolled into an icy ravine and lost consciousness for a bit. He was trapped upside down with water flowing through the car. Luckily, he was spotted by a family traveling down the canyon. They pulled Ben out in time and he was taken to the ER via ambulance.
This accident resurfaced old challenges Ben has worked hard to heal from, exhausted his savings, and has added new challenges like chronic pain and a nervous system that is overactive leading to chronic inflammation, severe depression, gut issues and fatigue to keep it brief.
Ben is sick, overwhelmed and exhausted on all levels. He needs rest, and healing, support and encouragement.
He’s had 3-week inpatient stays to help stabilize himself. After the hospital stay, he acquired a gut infection, further complicating his condition leading to frequent ER visits. These conditions take time, support, and low-stress environments to heal from.
Ben’s family is also tapped out. His mom suffered a major stroke in 2020, and that’s left them with limited capacity to support him now. And as you can imagine, asking for this kind of help isn’t easy, especially for someone who’s always been strong, capable, and the one helping others.
Some of you know Ben in the startup space, where he co-founded a company. Others may know him for his deep love for cycling and racing or his fun personality. He is now in a critical place where he needs intensive treatment to heal and he needs our help to get there.
All funds will go directly toward medical treatments, supportive housing, and basic living costs during recovery.
Ben’s medical team at Park City Hospital and the University of Utah Hospital is optimistic and confident about his recovery and has built a tailored, evidence-based treatment plan to get his health back. The plan includes:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – reduces brain and body inflammation, accelerates brain repair, improves ptsd/mood
Neurofeedback – supports emotional regulation, sleep, and cognitive function (like PT for the brain)
PTSD therapies – Somatic experience therapy, IFS, EMDR
Intensive concussion rehab – through Park City’s specialized neuro-rehab program
Intensive outpatient for trauma (IOP) - think like a bootcamp to help relearn skills to calm, regulate and support the body and mind
Supportive housing – critical for sensory overload and stability to relearn to sleep and ween off chemical dependent sleep
Supplementation/other medicines – keep the brain and body healthy and supported
The goal is to lower inflammation and regain stability so he can get back to doing what he loves and working, but they come with a steep price tag and he needs 3-4 months of rest to get there.
Ben is one of the most kindhearted, intelligent, and resilient people I know. He has so much to offer the world, and it’s heartbreaking to see him suffer without the resources to fully recover. With your support, we can help give him the tools he needs to heal and reclaim his life.
No one thinks it’ll be them until life changes in a second.
Every donation makes a difference. Thank you so much for your love, support, and generosity
*if you prefer to send money a different way, please message him for options.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ronan Mendoza
Organizer
Provo, UT
Benjamin Dent
Beneficiary


