Ben Driebergen, The Challenge: USA Star Had Struggled With PTSD
Ben Driebergen, a competitor on The Challenge: USA, served in the United States Marine Corps and once struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His participation in and victory over season 35 of Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers has brought him the most notoriety. He even took part in the Survivor: Winners at War competition, where he ended up finishing in fifth place.
Now, Driebergen is getting ready to show off his competitive spirit in The Challenge: USA, which has been described as the “most unpredictable and ruthless game.” T.J. Lavin will serve as the host of the show when it makes its premiere on CBS on the evening of Wednesday, July 6, 2022, and when it streams on Paramount Plus.
Everything you need to know about the USA contestant Ben Driebergen
Ben Driebergen, a native of Boise, Idaho, served in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from Capital High School in 2001. After that, he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Bill La Marr, and finally enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal throughout his tenure in the Marines and deployed in Iraq during that period. In 2017, he discussed his time spent in the Marine Corps with The Hollywood Reporter, and he said the following:
“I served in the infantry and was deployed to Iraq, where I did what Marines are known for doing the most. I served in the Marine Corps well. I was good at my job. I loved what I did and was recognized as a company honor man shortly after completing boot camp and school. There are recurring occurrences. You lose pals. The Marine Corps provided a positive learning experience, but it also provided a negative learning experience.
Blake was a good buddy of his who was also a fellow Marine, and he passed away when he was serving in the Marines. Driebergen was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from his tour of duty in Iraq (PTSD).
Fans of Survivor saw this play out during one of the episodes, when a loud noise at camp caused the reality star to become visibly shaken. When asked about it, a contender on The Challenge: USA mentioned the following:
“I did not anticipate that they would demonstrate that. It was a blast that caught everyone off guard. The vast majority of war veterans experience these experiences naturally.”
When a contestant on The Challenge: USA was asked to describe his reactions, he responded as follows:
“Fear, panic, and a rush of adrenaline all at the same time. After that, my natural reactions kick in, and I begin doing the things I’ve been trained to do. I don’t even give it a second thought. I just react.” How Ben Driebergen overcame the effects of PTSD in his life
The veteran found it difficult to interact with other people, particularly in large groups, during “social functions,” or even during family time. However, after relocating to Texas, things began to look up for him after he brought Blake’s dog tags with him and gave them to Blake’s mother. This was the turning point in his life.
The Challenge: USA contestant stated that handing over the tags felt like a weight being lifted off of his shoulders and added that it provided him with a “feeling of closure.”
However, he stated that accepting the reality that these things had occurred and that it was “already done” was the thing that proved to be the most beneficial to him.
Driebergen added:
“Once you come to terms with that, you’ll be able to move on. Even if it is now a part of you, it does not have to control you.
Kelly, Driebergen’s wife, was another person who assisted him in recovering from the ordeal. The wedding took place on October 10, 2013, and the couple now shares parental responsibilities for their children, Wyatt and Gracie.