Many people are quick to throw people aside because they may have made a few bad decisions in life. It’s good to see cooksey giving time to talk and help riders move forward in their lives.
Actually met him, sitting next to me in a courthouse in central Kentucky while going through my own dark times. Heard his last name called and asked him, “You related to Ben Riddle by chance? The moto rider?” He just smiled and said “yeah, that’s me!” Two guys who love riding dirt bikes, both caught up in the bad decisions of our youth, sat next to each other. I gotta say, even given the difficulty he was going through at the time, he struck me as nothing but a really solid dude, just happy to meet another moto-head.
These people with "problems" are 10x better than the people that run this sport from behind closed doors. Why push guys like this that have lived the dark side of motocross into the closet when they can show so many young riders how not to make those same mistakes? Good on him for serving his time and finding a way to have a positive impact on the sport!
Ben Riddle !! I used to race with him! He was such a fast dude it was insane! I hate it when people that’s never been through addiction issues trying to point fingers at people and talk trash about them. I went through an addiction spell in my 20s and finally came out the other side in my 30s. And people would always say why don’t you just stop? Am I response to them was if they drink coffee try to quit drinking your coffee for just three or four days and see how that goes. Addiction is 1 million times stronger and harder to overcome than any other addiction.
Hey Mr. Riddle, This is “FRO”(?) From Arizona’ Ben is the Best rider by far than anybody I’ve ever seen riding the same ground I’ve known my whole life & he smoked me like I was on my first ride…. Your my Hero Brother! I still have your jersey Brother….
Awesome interview it sucks to think of the thousands and thousands of others that been through this ordeal and not been as fortunate. This dude should be celebrated
Chris, by far one of your best segments yet! Raw, honest, open and straightforward! I’m a fellow Kentuckian of Ben’s that grew up racing ATV MX through the mid 90’s into mid 2000’s, so I often got to watch Ben at the big money local races at Daniel Boone MX and various track’s throughout KY and TN. He was always such a down to earth normal kid, always loved to stop and talk. Another KY fast guy and good buddy of mine Kurt Sims from Bardstown Ky raced with Ben and we traveled to the same races often, and he was always great to be around. 8-9yrs ago we ran into Ben down at the Atlanta SX, Kurt’s son Damon was getting to run the KTM 50 futures class, and we got to hangout with Ben all day. He was so humble, friendly and genuinely happy to be around the sport! It was so good to see he had fought his demons and won!! Such a feel good story and thank you for keeping a legend like Ben’s story alive in and around moto!! Get him ridding #Strapped Chris!! 🙌🏼🏁 🥽
Robbie Reynard was absolutely insane in the membrane during the +25 class. Soo freaking fast. He rode like a pro. And I hear things from his camp that he has been preparing to make some what of a come back. I love his news and I embrace the news. Stoked on Ben. I grew up racing him. Back and forth. 80 and 125 days
Good stuff, Cooksey! I remember Ben Riddle turning pro in 2001 and when his career didn't even work out, I was pretty disappointed for him. I think it goes to show how cruel the sport of Motocross can be, and not just what we're experiencing today with economic troubles, and only 2 guys on each 450cc team while the 250cc class has as many as 6 guys on there. Wish I could be as lucky as you to interview someone like Ben Riddle. I tried reaching out to Grant Harlan and he didn't even answer me. :(
He’s a good dude. I remember watching him back in the team green. Dude would just pin the throttle on a two stroke and use the clutch to make his way around the track.
I don’t remember Ben but he is from my era of racing some amateur stuff so I can really relate and unfortunately to some of the party scene. I’m glad Ben and I made it to the other side. This was a great listen thanks Chris🤘🤘🤘Cooksey Mob🤘🤘🤘
Great subject matter and video Cooksey. No one else covers this kind of stuff. And to hear Ben say he got paid 600$ for 6 or 7th place in SX is crazy. The rider pay issue is shameful for this sport.
Outstanding podcast!!! Raced against Ben back in 99 at society hills s.c. In 125 am and school boy. Traveled down south for the first time after our NorthEast ended. A local friend. Casey Higgins’s. Just turned A. Took me down. What an experience. Only got to see Bens rear fender. But learned a lot. Stepping out. He was amazing, even w his paints falling down. Good luck this week Ben!!!
My memory of Ben I have on VHS tape.. tape 1 in 2000 pro-sport mx. Ben and jim neese battle it out. Ben quad the six pack and kool video shot when ben and Jim went across Walker m.t. whipped out higher then the flagging tower. It's been 2013 my last time racing at pro-sport what I can kinda remember it was like 125ft just to the top of Walker m.t. unreal badass shit.... tape 2 Daniel Boone MX ky. The can-u jump and the table for 2 where scary jumps on side of a mountain. Impressive to launch those two.. then ben comes around to the six pack which were big then and ben quads the six pack. Bravest shit I've ever seen from a rider at Daniel Boone. Counting the 4 stroke national's at the time and it was stacked. Clearly my favorite rider at the time and all the respect to you dude.. your not the only one that went through the party days and may bad decisions I've made my fare share. Great to see and hear from you dude glad your doing well... and a big shout out to my buddy Johnny B.. smoked walker few times blazed lol... ride red bleed red 4ever #652 25+ 30+ 35+ 40+ and now knocking on 50+ lol.. motocross trash baby.....
Every time I hear his name, I think about the time I saw him quad the supercross six. The best pro’s went triple-triple. I’ll never forget how crazy that was.
I started racing in the early 90s in Indiana, I’m pretty sure i seen Ben up here and Red Bud ,The Kid absolutely was fast as shit, And I did see him race in Indy,Didn’t miss a Super Cross for 19 years..I Hope the Best for Ben, And I will be watching The Ranch..
Awesome interview, Ben riddle was and still is one of my childhood hero’s, I didn’t know everything he went threw but I’ve gone threw maybe 1% of what he’s gone threw with life and the amount of self discipline we learned as kids always getUs through the hard times
Im almost positive I raced this guy in 92-93 at Daniel Boone in London Ky. Probably doesn't remember but he was rippin from the beginning, never beat riddle he was hitting the table for 2 on a 80 not 85... lol probably could have on a 60... I was #7 rode a Kawasaki 60-80's from 91-95 I was 6 my first year at Boone and always finished top 5 even won a few until he become a regular on the 80. I moved up with my buddies and was always 2-3 years younger but it didn't matter vs Riddle. He was beating adults on the 80 in the 125 class and if I'm not mistaken the open class too. Guy wasn't huge at 10 but started growing a lot and by 12 was probably 6ft. Never purposely tried to wreck or hurt any of us Squids lol...
You talking about mxsports and the low payouts. I will explain this from personal experience with family and friends who own businesses and such. The company or mx sports in this case starts out with davey coombs senior and his wife running it. Then they may have a couple kids, say 2 or 3. Then they graduate from school. Go to college and get a degree. Then they find out they have to actually work for a living. Next thing you know they are on the mxsports payroll. Some bogus position like a consultant or a vise whatever. Then those 2 or 3 kids who are now on the payroll. They have 2 kids apiece and they go to school and find out they gota actually work as well. So now they get put on the payroll. More bogus positions. So you went from davey sr. and wife to davey sr. 2 sons and now a couple grandkids on the payroll. Then maybe one or 2 has a wife or in-law looking for a gravy job. And next thing you know they are all making several hundred thousand a year to sit around and let the old man do all the work. Before long there is no money left for the actual people keeping the business running "ie riders". Thats how all this plays out. Everybody i know runs there companies and businesses like that. Then when the oldman who starts it all dies the company goes down hill. Eventually being sold off to a investment group or closing up shop all together.
There was a couple guys when I was racing that was getting noticed that went down the wrong road James Eickel comes to mind from Grove City who Robbed a Bank, major factor opioids
Hey man damm good interview I really like finding out were Ben ended up it’s great that he is back in the sport and has found purpose and determination to stay healthy positive and giving back his knowledge of the sport and also life. I pray he has fun and rides safely and within his limits. Best of luck look forward to running into him someday
Shout out to Cooksey and Cooksey Mob ,The industry get so much from the Riders , You think the industry would do something to help Riders that Have Problems
Thus dude is the fastest iv ever seen I got to see him at Litchfield ky mx when he would show up on that 125 it was unreal smoked everyone I got out of racing in 2001 and had been racing since 1982 and 19 years after 01 I got back Into it and I'm ate up with the bikes I more of a hair scramble xc rider racer but I live moto and we have a small moto track on the farm we live on I can't wait to see videos of Ben kicking butt at the ranch I hope you have a lot of footage This dude is FAST!!!!
Just barley remember hearing his name, back then. Unfortunately, the list of guys from this sport with similar situations is way too long. Good to hear him tell his come back story. Nice job.
Just because someone makes a bad decision or becomes addicted to drugs after a injury doesn't mean they are a bad person or should be treated different. Especially by people who have no clue at all what it's like to end up addicted and to loose everything you care about and know everyone you know family and friends turn there back on you when you need that support most. Most addicts don't want to be addicted it just happens. I grew up riding and racing had few pretty bad injurys pretty young 12-13 yrs old dr's gave me pain meds and next thing I know just out of high school after a injury my meds ran out and I realized with out meds I was " dope sick" and ended up finding meds on the street ended up getting in trouble with the law going to jail loosing jobs all my friends family didnt trust me I lost everything I was only out of jail for 8 months over 4 year period then spent 2.5 years in prison for selling to support my habbit spent 10 years on parole it's now been 14or so years since it started I still struggle everyday but have mostly been able to stay clean since prison but all but maybe 3or 4 my friends will even talk to me family finally trust me again and that is after 6 years of doing good it's hard to stay clean especially when you have no support. People need to be more accepting and offer help to anyone dealing with addiction and not turn there back and push them away maybe that is all it would take to save someone's life or to help them get clean and stop using. This video is nice to see him changing his life and taking his bad choices and helping younger riders hopefully not make the same choices seems like a really good guy and it's nice to see another addict go through so much that most will never experience and turn it into something good. Thanks cookie monster for this interview and video hope it opens people's eyes about addiction and don't shut people who struggle out and help them instead
Wow this I can relate to big time lost the best years right after I went pro Then had a friend get paralyzed when we were riding that alone really made me not wanna ride now I'm about to be 31 next week and I'm ready to get back into it being a natural and fast on the track I'm ready to get back out there prolly gonna hit the mini nationals, mammoth, and I really qanna go ride Aj new dream facility and moto sand box, south of the border , cuz AZ is kinda blown out they only have one track
Damn, this dude has been thru the ringer! 6.5 years for selling some pharmies? WOW! I did 6 months in jail not to long after I wrecked my knee racing in the mid 80's for selling blow but 6 1/2 years, that's brutal! Either someone had it out for him or it was a shit ton of drugs to get that sentence. But, I remember Ben's name, I remember just about all pros from the mid 80's on whether they went big or faded away. Sounds like once he left his father's guidance he just melted down on several levels but I understand. Great interview Cooksey! I wish there would be way more of this kind of, "where are they now" media around all the old pro's and not just the top guys, we've all seen enough of that ad nauseum but the guys who were up there for a little bit but were still amazing talents. 99.9% of humans can't do what even the looked over national pros have done and they are very special people. Good luck with the rest of your life, Ben, but, take it easy on a motorcycle! What your brain thinks you can do and what your body can actually do are two different things when you get older.
It says in your bio that you’re a journalist and a writer. Where do you post your written articles? Would like to read more in depth analysis about these topics.
Awesome story...Go get em' at LL's Ben! What can be done to "unionize" the riders to get a fair payout? I caution flag at the nationals and at one track they expect you to do it for a few swag items while they pocket cash like there is no tomorrow. I really think the promoters feel the riders are just chasing a dream and will sell their soul to ride so why pay them? It has got to change or at this rate the promoters are going to kill the sport that we love over their greed.
Watching CC’s latest vlog, makes you wonder if the Aldon program aka EPO abuse is the reason he couldn’t heal naturally. His physiological changes are apparent when compared to just a year ago. Listening to Chael Sonnen talk about Lebron and the big 3 tst hgh epo makes you realize how prevalent this stuff is these days.
First loved the ben interview one of the best yet well done dude.. now more serious stuff. You look like your 7ft tall and a big bully. For what you done to poor steve😢 more like cocksey instead of cooksey.. way you did steve bad for your channel 😢 hell i can't take it anymore that was the funniest shit I've heard and seen in some time😅😅 keep up good content my man and signing off with. USA! USA! USA!!!
I didn’t want to depend on strangers. I really wanted my loving parents to help me. All I want to do is to make you guys proud. I am trying everything that I can think of to make that possible. I am a lost soul. I didn’t ask for any of this stuff.
@21:10 regarding more $$$ instead of chronic complaining hopefully Chris breaks into the increase money through the AMA super Motocross Series. I'm not privy to know how much cash was injected by virtue of the 2023 Super Motocross Series. Going to listen to the rest hopefully this subject gets discuss because it's bullshit if it's not talked about
Ben is an absolute Legend! So thankful to be able to call him a friend. Keep up the great work Ben and best of luck next week at the The Ranch.
HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE COOOLEST GUYS IV MET! MUCH RESPECT!
Many people are quick to throw people aside because they may have made a few bad decisions in life. It’s good to see cooksey giving time to talk and help riders move forward in their lives.
Glad to see Ben turned things around. I had alot of fun racing and hanging out with him in the 90s.
Actually met him, sitting next to me in a courthouse in central Kentucky while going through my own dark times. Heard his last name called and asked him, “You related to Ben Riddle by chance? The moto rider?” He just smiled and said “yeah, that’s me!” Two guys who love riding dirt bikes, both caught up in the bad decisions of our youth, sat next to each other. I gotta say, even given the difficulty he was going through at the time, he struck me as nothing but a really solid dude, just happy to meet another moto-head.
These people with "problems" are 10x better than the people that run this sport from behind closed doors. Why push guys like this that have lived the dark side of motocross into the closet when they can show so many young riders how not to make those same mistakes? Good on him for serving his time and finding a way to have a positive impact on the sport!
Ben Riddle !! I used to race with him! He was such a fast dude it was insane! I hate it when people that’s never been through addiction issues trying to point fingers at people and talk trash about them. I went through an addiction spell in my 20s and finally came out the other side in my 30s. And people would always say why don’t you just stop? Am I response to them was if they drink coffee try to quit drinking your coffee for just three or four days and see how that goes. Addiction is 1 million times stronger and harder to overcome than any other addiction.
Same here brother...it is what it is...
This was an excellent interview. Best of luck Ben. Your teaching more than moto your teaching life lessons.
Ben being open about his past is invaluable to the sport and requires so much courage! Dude is a badass!
Hey Mr. Riddle,
This is “FRO”(?)
From Arizona’
Ben is the Best rider by far than anybody I’ve ever seen riding the same ground I’ve known my whole life & he smoked me like I was on my first ride…. Your my Hero Brother! I still have your jersey Brother….
Thank you for this. Grew up with Ben. Great guy and family.
Good interview, Ben is a good dude. Taking his daughter to the racing and helping out kids, awesome job!
Ben may be the living model of all the stories and outcomes you talk about in racing. Best wishes to Ben.
Been works and teaches at my local track! Rooting for him and Kaitlyn!
Great Work Mr. Riddle, the bumps in the road made you a success!
Keep up the great work Chris! Your show is hands down the most entertaining in the moto industry.
Happy for you Ben, good for you for turning it all around. That's fantastic
Awesome interview it sucks to think of the thousands and thousands of others that been through this ordeal and not been as fortunate. This dude should be celebrated
Got to race Ben this week at Loretta's. He's a great guy. Reminded me of when we were amateurs in the 90s. He was always a hard worker.
Loved watching this guy back at DBMX in Kentucky!
Saw him quad the super six once.
He has always been a great guy glad to see him doing what he loves .rip Aunt Pat
man , what a cool interview , real life situations, comin at you live ...
and i appreciate your honesty mr ben ...
good luck this weekend...
One of the best to do it from the land of Scott Summers, Nicky Hayden, Ryan Sipes and more, the great Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Chris, by far one of your best segments yet! Raw, honest, open and straightforward! I’m a fellow Kentuckian of Ben’s that grew up racing ATV MX through the mid 90’s into mid 2000’s, so I often got to watch Ben at the big money local races at Daniel Boone MX and various track’s throughout KY and TN. He was always such a down to earth normal kid, always loved to stop and talk. Another KY fast guy and good buddy of mine Kurt Sims from Bardstown Ky raced with Ben and we traveled to the same races often, and he was always great to be around. 8-9yrs ago we ran into Ben down at the Atlanta SX, Kurt’s son Damon was getting to run the KTM 50 futures class, and we got to hangout with Ben all day. He was so humble, friendly and genuinely happy to be around the sport! It was so good to see he had fought his demons and won!!
Such a feel good story and thank you for keeping a legend like Ben’s story alive in and around moto!!
Get him ridding #Strapped Chris!! 🙌🏼🏁 🥽
Awesome awesome awesome show!
Ben is one of the best moto stories ever eh!
What a great guy whose been though so much. Unfortunately not a new story. Good luck to Ben Riddle!!!!
Robbie Reynard was absolutely insane in the membrane during the +25 class. Soo freaking fast. He rode like a pro. And I hear things from his camp that he has been preparing to make some what of a come back. I love his news and I embrace the news. Stoked on Ben. I grew up racing him. Back and forth. 80 and 125 days
Also racing Levi Humphrey and Adam Mendiga and Chase Reed. Those were my pro days. Things have changed. Johnny Marley etc..... Justin Bucklew
Good stuff, Cooksey! I remember Ben Riddle turning pro in 2001 and when his career didn't even work out, I was pretty disappointed for him. I think it goes to show how cruel the sport of Motocross can be, and not just what we're experiencing today with economic troubles, and only 2 guys on each 450cc team while the 250cc class has as many as 6 guys on there.
Wish I could be as lucky as you to interview someone like Ben Riddle. I tried reaching out to Grant Harlan and he didn't even answer me. :(
Awesome to see and hear Ben is back and doing great 🎉
He’s a good dude. I remember watching him back in the team green. Dude would just pin the throttle on a two stroke and use the clutch to make his way around the track.
I don’t remember Ben but he is from my era of racing some amateur stuff so I can really relate and unfortunately to some of the party scene. I’m glad Ben and I made it to the other side. This was a great listen thanks Chris🤘🤘🤘Cooksey Mob🤘🤘🤘
Great subject matter and video Cooksey. No one else covers this kind of stuff. And to hear Ben say he got paid 600$ for 6 or 7th place in SX is crazy. The rider pay issue is shameful for this sport.
Outstanding podcast!!! Raced against Ben back in 99 at society hills s.c. In 125 am and school boy. Traveled down south for the first time after our NorthEast ended. A local friend. Casey Higgins’s. Just turned A. Took me down. What an experience. Only got to see Bens rear fender. But learned a lot. Stepping out. He was amazing, even w his paints falling down. Good luck this week Ben!!!
Awesome interview, need more like this with old school amateur super stars.
Awesome interview. Keep on truckin Riddle 👍
Soo nice to hear a success story.....I know how it is enjoy
My memory of Ben I have on VHS tape.. tape 1 in 2000 pro-sport mx. Ben and jim neese battle it out. Ben quad the six pack and kool video shot when ben and Jim went across Walker m.t. whipped out higher then the flagging tower. It's been 2013 my last time racing at pro-sport what I can kinda remember it was like 125ft just to the top of Walker m.t. unreal badass shit.... tape 2 Daniel Boone MX ky. The can-u jump and the table for 2 where scary jumps on side of a mountain. Impressive to launch those two.. then ben comes around to the six pack which were big then and ben quads the six pack. Bravest shit I've ever seen from a rider at Daniel Boone. Counting the 4 stroke national's at the time and it was stacked. Clearly my favorite rider at the time and all the respect to you dude.. your not the only one that went through the party days and may bad decisions I've made my fare share. Great to see and hear from you dude glad your doing well... and a big shout out to my buddy Johnny B.. smoked walker few times blazed lol... ride red bleed red 4ever #652 25+ 30+ 35+ 40+ and now knocking on 50+ lol.. motocross trash baby.....
Every time I hear his name, I think about the time I saw him quad the supercross six. The best pro’s went triple-triple. I’ll never forget how crazy that was.
His story is so much like mine. It is devastating to lose the one thing that made you feel alive.
I started racing in the early 90s in Indiana, I’m pretty sure i seen Ben up here and Red Bud ,The Kid absolutely was fast as shit, And I did see him race in Indy,Didn’t miss a Super Cross for 19 years..I Hope the Best for Ben, And I will be watching The Ranch..
Awesome interview, Ben riddle was and still is one of my childhood hero’s, I didn’t know everything he went threw but I’ve gone threw maybe 1% of what he’s gone threw with life and the amount of self discipline we learned as kids always getUs through the hard times
You are a great interviewer. Looking forward to the next person you interview.
Excellent, I've raced with been back in the day. Really nice dude and fast. See ya at lorrettas bud
Im almost positive I raced this guy in 92-93 at Daniel Boone in London Ky. Probably doesn't remember but he was rippin from the beginning, never beat riddle he was hitting the table for 2 on a 80 not 85... lol probably could have on a 60... I was #7 rode a Kawasaki 60-80's from 91-95 I was 6 my first year at Boone and always finished top 5 even won a few until he become a regular on the 80. I moved up with my buddies and was always 2-3 years younger but it didn't matter vs Riddle. He was beating adults on the 80 in the 125 class and if I'm not mistaken the open class too. Guy wasn't huge at 10 but started growing a lot and by 12 was probably 6ft. Never purposely tried to wreck or hurt any of us Squids lol...
You talking about mxsports and the low payouts. I will explain this from personal experience with family and friends who own businesses and such. The company or mx sports in this case starts out with davey coombs senior and his wife running it. Then they may have a couple kids, say 2 or 3. Then they graduate from school. Go to college and get a degree. Then they find out they have to actually work for a living. Next thing you know they are on the mxsports payroll. Some bogus position like a consultant or a vise whatever. Then those 2 or 3 kids who are now on the payroll. They have 2 kids apiece and they go to school and find out they gota actually work as well. So now they get put on the payroll. More bogus positions. So you went from davey sr. and wife to davey sr. 2 sons and now a couple grandkids on the payroll. Then maybe one or 2 has a wife or in-law looking for a gravy job. And next thing you know they are all making several hundred thousand a year to sit around and let the old man do all the work. Before long there is no money left for the actual people keeping the business running "ie riders". Thats how all this plays out. Everybody i know runs there companies and businesses like that. Then when the oldman who starts it all dies the company goes down hill. Eventually being sold off to a investment group or closing up shop all together.
Let's hear from some other guys with similar stories. Best content I have seen. PJ Larsen, Taylor Futrell, Ian Trettel 👍
Best of luck Ben
Good to hear from him.
Bills pipes,great guy!!
Excellent interview.
This is the 2nd best piece of content with your name on it.
There was a couple guys when I was racing that was getting noticed that went down the wrong road James Eickel comes to mind from Grove City who Robbed a Bank, major factor opioids
Hey man damm good interview I really like finding out were Ben ended up it’s great that he is back in the sport and has found purpose and determination to stay healthy positive and giving back his knowledge of the sport and also life. I pray he has fun and rides safely and within his limits. Best of luck look forward to running into him someday
Enjoyed this interview..
Coach Rob , the best.
That's cool he mentioned Rodrig Thain being his teammate, he's my dad. Shitty guy, but cool that he was factory.
Shout out to Cooksey and Cooksey Mob ,The industry get so much from the Riders , You think the industry would do something to help Riders that Have Problems
Beautiful interview! Cooksey Gang! Got me cracking up!
Great interview! I've been waiting for someone to do something like this.
Thus dude is the fastest iv ever seen
I got to see him at Litchfield ky mx when he would show up on that 125 it was unreal smoked everyone
I got out of racing in 2001 and had been racing since 1982 and 19 years after 01 I got back Into it and I'm ate up with the bikes
I more of a hair scramble xc rider racer but I live moto and we have a small moto track on the farm we live on
I can't wait to see videos of Ben kicking butt at the ranch I hope you have a lot of footage
This dude is FAST!!!!
Just barley remember hearing his name, back then. Unfortunately, the list of guys from this sport with similar situations is way too long. Good to hear him tell his come back story. Nice job.
big props to Riddle
Best content ever great.guy tells the truth. Huge respect for him. Great interview. He makes me want to change for the better.
Ben Riddle has some one i always thought was a bad ass since Loretta's way way back....
I actually train with Ben in Florida and it is so fun
I finished this video a half an hour ago.... I'm still thinking about it! How fucking inspiring is Ben!?!? Thanks again Cooksey! #mobstrong
Just because someone makes a bad decision or becomes addicted to drugs after a injury doesn't mean they are a bad person or should be treated different. Especially by people who have no clue at all what it's like to end up addicted and to loose everything you care about and know everyone you know family and friends turn there back on you when you need that support most. Most addicts don't want to be addicted it just happens. I grew up riding and racing had few pretty bad injurys pretty young 12-13 yrs old dr's gave me pain meds and next thing I know just out of high school after a injury my meds ran out and I realized with out meds I was " dope sick" and ended up finding meds on the street ended up getting in trouble with the law going to jail loosing jobs all my friends family didnt trust me I lost everything I was only out of jail for 8 months over 4 year period then spent 2.5 years in prison for selling to support my habbit spent 10 years on parole it's now been 14or so years since it started I still struggle everyday but have mostly been able to stay clean since prison but all but maybe 3or 4 my friends will even talk to me family finally trust me again and that is after 6 years of doing good it's hard to stay clean especially when you have no support. People need to be more accepting and offer help to anyone dealing with addiction and not turn there back and push them away maybe that is all it would take to save someone's life or to help them get clean and stop using. This video is nice to see him changing his life and taking his bad choices and helping younger riders hopefully not make the same choices seems like a really good guy and it's nice to see another addict go through so much that most will never experience and turn it into something good.
Thanks cookie monster for this interview and video hope it opens people's eyes about addiction and don't shut people who struggle out and help them instead
Wow this I can relate to big time lost the best years right after I went pro
Then had a friend get paralyzed when we were riding that alone really made me not wanna ride now I'm about to be 31 next week and I'm ready to get back into it being a natural and fast on the track I'm ready to get back out there prolly gonna hit the mini nationals, mammoth, and I really qanna go ride Aj new dream facility and moto sand box, south of the border , cuz AZ is kinda blown out they only have one track
I used to own one of his old bikes. That was built by buddy brooks 12 crf450
Damn, what a rad dude. Great interview cooksey
Respect earned
Good luck at the ranch!!
If ya take old hwy 13, 3-4 miles past Lorettas old home, there's a bridge over duck river. You'll find service there.
This may sound weird but I miss that PRO GRIP GEAR lol... seriously
Damn, this dude has been thru the ringer! 6.5 years for selling some pharmies? WOW! I did 6 months in jail not to long after I wrecked my knee racing in the mid 80's for selling blow but 6 1/2 years, that's brutal! Either someone had it out for him or it was a shit ton of drugs to get that sentence. But, I remember Ben's name, I remember just about all pros from the mid 80's on whether they went big or faded away. Sounds like once he left his father's guidance he just melted down on several levels but I understand. Great interview Cooksey! I wish there would be way more of this kind of, "where are they now" media around all the old pro's and not just the top guys, we've all seen enough of that ad nauseum but the guys who were up there for a little bit but were still amazing talents. 99.9% of humans can't do what even the looked over national pros have done and they are very special people. Good luck with the rest of your life, Ben, but, take it easy on a motorcycle! What your brain thinks you can do and what your body can actually do are two different things when you get older.
Looking forward to the after Loretta podcast
Love Ya Brother!
It says in your bio that you’re a journalist and a writer. Where do you post your written articles? Would like to read more in depth analysis about these topics.
Feel like I saw him at Boone raceway in Kentucky before. When he was on an 80
Great podcast/video brotha man!
Glad he turned everything around.
The Buddies!!
Awesome story...Go get em' at LL's Ben! What can be done to "unionize" the riders to get a fair payout? I caution flag at the nationals and at one track they expect you to do it for a few swag items while they pocket cash like there is no tomorrow. I really think the promoters feel the riders are just chasing a dream and will sell their soul to ride so why pay them? It has got to change or at this rate the promoters are going to kill the sport that we love over their greed.
Great interview cooksey
My son hears him talking and insists that was Ronnie Mac 😂
Dude that was a great video
Hey Chris what do you charge for an ad how do I get ahold of you?
Email me at chriscookseymedia@gmail.com
Watching CC’s latest vlog, makes you wonder if the Aldon program aka EPO abuse is the reason he couldn’t heal naturally. His physiological changes are apparent when compared to just a year ago. Listening to Chael Sonnen talk about Lebron and the big 3 tst hgh epo makes you realize how prevalent this stuff is these days.
Fantastic interview with Ben. Why can’t you do this week in week out. Think about that.
I would love to, but I have 2 other jobs…
You go Ben. From Guy and hally
Let’s start an American made weekly Mx show! You can make this happen seize the day bro
ill always remember 241 as bens number... even still
Cookery things do not work out the way they supposed to unless you make good decisions!
Talented rider for sure,,, it's a shame bad luck follows some riders around, folkner seems to have the same issues, very strange,
Good luck riddle
Why do you think Ben got injured so much? Was he riding out of control or just one of those riders that got unlucky a lot?
First loved the ben interview one of the best yet well done dude.. now more serious stuff. You look like your 7ft tall and a big bully. For what you done to poor steve😢 more like cocksey instead of cooksey.. way you did steve bad for your channel 😢 hell i can't take it anymore that was the funniest shit I've heard and seen in some time😅😅 keep up good content my man and signing off with. USA! USA! USA!!!
I didn’t want to depend on strangers. I really wanted my loving parents to help me. All I want to do is to make you guys proud. I am trying everything that I can think of to make that possible. I am a lost soul. I didn’t ask for any of this stuff.
Anyone see the face in the pillow in the picture at the 26:10-26:20 mark?
Riddles is real
What happened to Nico Izzi?
He was on SwapMotoLive with a good interview last year. He is riding again, was hoping to make some pro SX and MX races.
@@merccrewlcab2385 I know. That's what I am referring to. He's disappeared again.
@@juliusevola8806 Awe no, maybe Chris can look into it.
@@merccrewlcab2385 I hope Nico can break out of that cycle of behavior. It's very hard, though.
Nobody else wants to get these interviews because nobody in the industry wants anyone to hear the dirty side of Moto.
Agreed, they are all part of the system. Bringing attention to the problem will force change.
@@CookseyMedia you are the “Soft White Underbelly” of Moto.
Yeoooii
Cooksey, what ever happened to Lance Venciet
Who's that
@21:10 regarding more $$$ instead of chronic complaining hopefully Chris breaks into the increase money through the AMA super Motocross Series.
I'm not privy to know how much cash was injected by virtue of the 2023 Super Motocross Series.
Going to listen to the rest hopefully this subject gets discuss because it's bullshit if it's not talked about