Ben Kjar: Born Different, Built to Win: Overcoming Pain, Pressure & Expectations

In this powerful episode, Casey Baugh sits down with long-time friend and All-American wrestler Ben Kjar for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, adversity, and becoming the kind of person who stands out—on purpose. From surviving childhood bullying to becoming Utah Valley University’s first All-American, Ben shares what it takes to turn pain into fuel, pressure into performance, and setbacks into legacy.

Ben opens up about living with Crouzon Syndrome, calling his shot as a teen, building elite discipline, and the upcoming release of his inspiring feature film Stand Out. This isn’t just a story of success—it’s a blueprint for how to live bold, focused, and fully committed to your calling.

00:00 | Missionary Beginnings & Lifelong Friendship

03:58 | Wrestling Origins & Crouzon Syndrome

06:39 | Calling the Shot: Becoming a 3X State Champion

08:55 | Childhood Trauma That Sparked Transformation

12:39 | Choosing Power Over Victimhood

18:10 | Lessons from Jesus: Grace vs. Retaliation

24:31 | UVU Wrestling & Sacrificing for the Dream

26:45 | Be Disobedient to Average

29:42 | The Power of Shot-Calling & Deadlines

32:57 | Translating Athletic Principles to Life

35:07 | Expanding Worldviews Through Experience

41:56 | Letting Go to Go All In

44:43 | Becoming UVU’s First All-American

48:01 | Grit, Redemption & Spitting in Fear’s Face

54:15 | Impact of Focused Commitment

57:25 | From Real Estate to Life Purpose

01:02:00 | Family, Adoption & Unwavering Support

01:06:09 | Speaking with Purpose & Creating Legacy

01:09:03 | Trust, Belief & Living with Intention

01:15:08 | Behind the Film “Stand Out”

01:21:00 | Final Reflections & Lasting Impact

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