Episode 12 Biathlete PhD Deadliest Warrior Host This Is Geoff Desmoulin

What happens when friendship is tested through adventure, adversity, and one of the hardest health challenges of your life? In Episode 12 of the Built by Benson Podcast, Jesse Benson sits down with his longtime friend Geoff Desmoulin, a former competitive biathlete, PhD engineer, forensic biomechanical engineer, and former host/expert on Deadliest Warrior. Geoff describes an academic background spanning kinesiology, biomedical engineering, and mechanical engineering, and shares how those disciplines come together in his forensic work. But this conversation goes far beyond his résumé. Jesse and Geoff reflect on 14 years of friendship, from workouts and guys’ nights to skiing, dirt bikes, racing, and the shared challenges that helped strengthen their bond. They explore why some friendships are built shoulder-to-shoulder and how doing difficult things together can create connection that lasts. Geoff also opens up about a major health setback that left him struggling to walk, train, and participate in many of the activities that had always been part of his life. He shares his experience being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, the long road back, and the importance of focusing on what he could still do while rebuilding his capacity. They also get into lifelong health, preparedness, Geoff’s background in biathlon, scientific integrity, truth in an age of information overload, and stories from his time on Deadliest Warrior. At its core, Episode 12 is about friendship, resilience, recovery, and continuing to learn when life forces you to adapt. In this episode: 14 years of friendship between Jesse and Geoff Why shared challenges can strengthen friendships Dirt biking, racing, competition, and adventure Geoff’s background as a competitive biathlete Preparedness and self-reliance Geoff’s rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and recovery journey Adapting training around physical limitations Why small improvements still matter Being proactive about health as you get older Geoff’s PhD and forensic biomechanical engineering career Scientific integrity and searching for truth Behind the scenes of Deadliest Warrior 🎙️ New episodes of the Built by Benson Podcast every Wednesday.