Robert “Rob” Rast is a California‑born entrepreneur best known for his leadership in the e‑mobility space and for competing on Fox’s reality reboot Fear Factor: House of Fear. His life story spans dropping out of college, moving to China to become a television personality and wine importer, founding multiple electric vehicle companies, and embracing van‑life to finance his ventures. The information below is drawn from reliable sources that describe his business career and public appearance on Fear Factor. Where personal details such as height or family are not publicly available, that is clearly noted.
Early life & background
- Birthplace & upbringing: Rob Rast grew up in Sacramento, California. He later said he “did most of his growing up in China” after moving there at age 19.
- Education: He dropped out of college in 2009, bought a one‑way ticket to China and lived there for several years. While in China he learned the language and initially started a business importing California wines.
- Shift to aviation & passion projects: Rast realised that chasing money was not fulfilling and left the wine business to work for an aviation company trying to enter the Chinese market. After a few years he quit that job to pursue products he cared about – electric bicycles and nutrition – and eventually returned to the United States.
- Entrepreneurial character: Rast describes himself as a pilot, surfer and serial entrepreneur who lives in a van while running his companies. He enjoys adrenaline‑fuelled hobbies such as surfing, riding motorcycles and flying planes. According to Miles Board’s company page, he created the electric skateboard brand in 2018 to combine his love of speed, green technology and skating.
- Personality & lifestyle: Rast embraced van‑life to reinvest money into his businesses. Facing cash‑flow challenges in 2019, he moved out of his apartment, bought a converted Sprinter van and travelled across the United States promoting his products. He notes that van‑life saves time and lets him park behind his workshop so he can focus on work.
Business career
FLX Bike → Superhuman Bikes
- Founding FLX: After returning from China, Rast co‑founded FLX Bike, an electric bicycle company. A 2023 press release announcing FLX’s rebrand states that Rast is the founder and president of Superhuman Bikes (formerly FLX). He explained that his mission is to help riders “unlock new adventures and embrace sustainable transportation”.
- Crowdfunding success: Rast and co‑founder Pete Leaviss launched FLX’s first electric mountain bike on Indiegogo and raised US$2 million, shipping nearly 3,000 units. They later created the Babymaker single‑speed “stealth electric” road bike. The Babymaker’s campaign raised more than US$13 million on Indiegogo, making it one of the platform’s top campaigns. Rast attributes part of that success to moving into his van and touring the country to promote the product.
- Rebrand to Superhuman Bikes: In November 2023 FLX announced it had rebranded as Superhuman Bikes. The company said the new name represents a bold vision for electric mobility and a commitment to empower riders to “transcend their limitations”. Rast noted that the rebrand doubles down on the belief in the transformational power of electric bikes. Superhuman Bikes continues to offer a range of e‑mountain bikes and urban e‑bikes.
Miles Board electric skateboards
- Founding Miles Board: In 2018 Rast founded Miles Board, a company that makes compact high‑performance electric skateboards. The brand’s “Meet our founder” page states that he has long pursued adrenaline rushes through surfing, skating and flying, and created Miles Board to bring his love for speed to life. He started the company because he felt existing electric boards were “clunky and underperforming” and wanted sleek boards that prioritised speed and environmental benefits.
Other ventures & public speaking
- Nutrition & e‑mobility: In the Tacos and Tech podcast, Rast mentioned starting businesses centred around electric bikes and nutrition after leaving the aviation sector.
- Media appearances: He has appeared on podcasts and interviews where he discusses the challenges of crowdfunding, van‑life and sustainable transportation. Vestigo Adventures’ profile notes that he became a Chinese television personality during his time in China and later partnered with Leaviss to create FLX, launching multiple successful products.
Fear Factor: House of Fear
About the show
Fox’s Fear Factor: House of Fear reboot drops 14 strangers into a remote “house of fear” where they must endure mind‑blowing stunts, harrowing challenges and a twisted social strategy game until only one wins the grand prize. Hosted by Johnny Knoxville, the series combines endurance tests with constant fear, psychological pressure and limited comfort. The contestants come from various backgrounds, including teachers, engineers, salon owners and a retired detective.
Rob’s involvement
- Contestant profile: Multiple casting announcements describe “Rob” (full name Robert “Rob” Rast) as an e‑bike business owner from San Diego, California, aged 35. Morty’s TV’s contestant list also notes that he is 35, runs an e‑bike business and uses the Instagram handle @rob.rast. These details match his role as the founder of Superhuman Bikes.
- Role on the show: On Fear Factor he competes alongside 13 other contestants, including a high‑school teacher, marketing professional, flight attendant and retired detective. The show’s format requires contestants to live together and face extreme challenges. At the time of writing, the season is ongoing (premiering on January 14 2026), so results are unknown.
Age, height & personal details
- Age: Casting materials consistently list Rast’s age as 35, placing his year of birth around 1990–1991. An exact birth date has not been publicly confirmed.
- Height: No reliable public sources report Rast’s height. Without confirmation, it is inappropriate to speculate.
- Family & relationships: Rast is private about his family and relationship status. Public sources focus on his business ventures and do not mention a spouse or children.
- Net worth: Estimates of his net worth are not available from credible sources. While his companies have raised millions of dollars through crowdfunding, his personal finances remain undisclosed.
Social media presence
Rob Rast actively promotes his ventures and lifestyle on social media:
| Platform | Handle/Description | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| @rob.rast – personal account where he shares posts about van‑life, electric bikes and Fear Factor; the casting list highlights this handle. | Official casting list | |
| YouTube | Hosts vlogs on the Rob Rast channel and product videos for Superhuman Bikes and Miles Board (subscription counts vary over time). | Mentioned in company links. |
| TikTok / Threads / Facebook | Active on TikTok, Threads and Facebook, often re‑posting product announcements and behind‑the‑scenes footage; links provided on company pages. | Company pages list his social links. |
| Company accounts | Runs official accounts for Superhuman Bikes (@superhumanbikes), FLX Bike (@flx.bike) and Miles Board (@milesboard), where he markets new products and crowdfunding campaigns. | Podcast summary lists company social handles. |
Public interest & search intent
Interest in Robert “Rob” Rast spiked when he joined Fear Factor: House of Fear. Viewers search for his age, occupation and background to understand who the e‑bike entrepreneur is among the contestants. His entrepreneurial story and van‑life ethos appeal to audiences curious about sustainable mobility and alternative lifestyles. Because he is not a mainstream celebrity, many details (e.g., family, net worth, height) remain undisclosed; this scarcity of information explains why people search for “Robert Rob biography.” The information compiled here uses verifiable sources and avoids speculation, focusing on his confirmed business achievements and publicised reality‑TV appearance.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What companies did Robert “Rob” Rast found?
Rob Rast co‑founded FLX Bike (later rebranded to Superhuman Bikes) and Miles Board. Superhuman Bikes manufactures high‑performance electric bicycles and emphasises sustainability. Miles Board creates sleek electric skateboards for riders who crave speed.
How old is Rob Rast?
Casting materials for Fear Factor: House of Fear list him as 35 years old. An exact birth date has not been released.
What is Rob Rast’s background before starting his companies?
Originally from Sacramento, he moved to China at 19, learned the language and started a wine‑import business. He later worked for an aviation company before returning to the United States to pursue electric‑mobility and nutrition ventures.
Did Rob Rast really live in a van?
Yes. Facing cash‑flow challenges, he sold his apartment lease, bought a converted Sprinter van and travelled around the U.S. to promote his e‑bikes. He says van‑life saved time and allowed him to reinvest money into his business. He continues to use the van as both home and mobile marketing tool.
What is the Babymaker bike and why is it famous?
The Babymaker is a single‑speed “stealth electric” road bike launched by FLX (now Superhuman Bikes). Its Indiegogo campaign became one of the platform’s largest, raising more than US$13 million. The bike combines the sleek design of a traditional road bike with hidden electric assistance, allowing riders to travel around 50 miles on a two‑hour charge.
Is Rob Rast married or does he have a family?
There is no reliable public information about his marital status or family. He maintains a private personal life; available sources focus on his business and public appearances.
What is the premise of Fear Factor: House of Fear?
The show locks 14 contestants inside a remote “House of Fear,” subjecting them to extreme stunts, psychological challenges and social strategy. The format adds sleep deprivation and constant tension, making fear itself a weapon. Contestants compete until one person wins a grand cash prize.
Conclusion
Robert “Rob” Rast is more than a reality‑TV contestant; he is a serial entrepreneur whose passion for adventure and sustainability led him from Sacramento to China and back again. His willingness to drop out of college, learn a new language, start multiple businesses and even live in a van underscores his resourcefulness. Today he leads Superhuman Bikes and Miles Board while introducing his brand to mainstream audiences through Fear Factor: House of Fear. As the season unfolds, viewers can follow his journey and keep up with his latest innovations through his social media channels. Future updates may reveal more about his personal life, but for now the focus remains on his entrepreneurial achievements and fearless spirit.