Although he had been quietly winning Ironmans since his first one in 2010 at Ironman Lake Placid, Ben Hoffman largely went under the world triathlon radar -- until he placed second at the 2014 Ironman World Championship, the first time an American has stood on the Kona podium in five years. This result led to him being named the 2014 USA Triathlon Elite Non-Drafting Athlete of the Year.

Ben had an active childhood growing up in Colorado, playing ball sports, running track, riding his bike to school, and rock climbing. He first took up triathlon in a college club despite having no background in swimming, and he won the National Collegiate Championship in his senior year in the individual and team categories.

After taking a year off to study, Ben came back to do what he really loved and has grown into one of the best Ironman athletes in the world.