Join us for an epic journey of human endurance and the power of the human spirit with Ben Smith, who defied the impossible by running 401 marathons in 401 days.

This episode of The Brave Front is not just about the physical feat of running 10,506.2 miles around the UK, but the deeply personal story of a man who faced relentless bullying, struggled with his identity, and survived attempts on his own life, only to find redemption and purpose through running.

Ben shares the raw and emotional tale of his childhood, the adversities that shaped him, and the transformative experience of the 401 Challenge that led him to raise an astonishing £330,000 for anti-bullying charities. Discover how, against the backdrop of physical exhaustion, Ben found solace in the running community, inspiring over 13,500 individuals to join him, some for their very first marathon.

With every mile, Ben's story unravels lessons about resilience, the importance of seeking help, and the courage to live authentically. Today, the 401 Foundation continues to impact lives, proving that one man's brave front can become a beacon of hope for many.

Show outline:

- Ben Smith's harrowing childhood and battle with bullying

- The life-changing moment of a transient ischemic attack at 29

- The journey of self-discovery and coming to terms with his sexuality

- The birth of the 401 Challenge and its astounding success

- The emotional toll and aftermath of completing the marathons

- The ongoing work of the 401 Foundation and future plans

Useful links:

- Learn about the 401 Foundation and its mission: the401foundation.co.uk

- Follow Ben and the 401 Challenge Foundation:

- Instagram: @the401challenge

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the401challenge

Share the show:

- Spread the word about The Brave Front and help amplify men's mental health awareness

- Leave a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform

- Engage with our episode questions and polls on Spotify

Interact with the show:

- Share your own experiences with bullying or marathons via voice message

- Get in touch to suggest topics or guests for future episodes

- Visit The Brave Front website for more inspirational content

If Ben's incredible saga strikes a chord with you or you know someone who could draw strength from his story, share this episode and help us continue the conversation.

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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebravefront/message

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📋 Episode Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(04:20) Welcome Ben

(06:26) Ben's childhood and school life

(12:42) Ben's suicide attempt, aged 18

(21:21) Turbulent twenties and living a lie

(26:54) Life changing moments

(32:53) Taking up running

(40:34) The 401 Challenge explained

(52:03) Finishing the challenge

(57:28) The 401 Foundation

(01:02:50) Episode question and poll

Full transcript: https://thebravefront.blogspot.com/2024/03/episode-14-marathon-man-ben-smiths-401.html