#301 The Spartan Founder's Playbook: Joe DeSena on Resilience, Parenting, and Physical Challenges

Gabby Reece speaks with Joe DeSena, the founder of Spartan Race, about resilience, parenting, and the importance of physical challenges. They explore Joe's early life, the lessons learned from his pool business, and the journey to creating a global fitness brand. The discussion delves into the role of parenting in nurturing toughness in children, the impact of technology on youth, and the significance of delayed gratification. Joe shares insights from his experiences and emphasizes the need for uncomfortable parenting to foster resilience in the next generation. In this engaging conversation, Gabby Reece and Joe De Sena explore the journey from humble beginnings in the pool business to the high-stakes world of Wall Street, emphasizing the importance of resilience, community support, and personal growth through physical challenges.

Chapters

00:00 The Resilience of Humanity

00:57 Introduction to Joe DeSena and Spartan Race

03:08 Joe's Early Life and Influences

06:00 Lessons from the Pool Business

09:06 The Journey to College

12:56 The Importance of Delayed Gratification

17:03 Physical Challenges and Tenacity

20:07 Nurturing Resilience in Children

22:58 The Role of Parenting in Toughness

25:54 Balancing Toughness and Compassion in Parenting

29:50 Navigating Technology and Parenting

33:00 The Impact of College on Joe's Life

35:54 Transitioning from Pool Business to Wall Street

45:31 The Journey from Pool Business to Wall Street

48:21 The Transformation Through Physical Activity

51:11 Overcoming Adversity in Event Planning

54:18 Resilience and Faith in Business

58:34 Lessons from Early Challenges

01:01:50 The Importance of Community and Support

01:03:48 Navigating Business Challenges During COVID-19

01:09:27 Leadership Lessons Learned

01:12:58 The Balance of Leading and Following

01:14:51 Maintaining Personal Health and Fitness

01:20:16 Aging and Endurance

01:22:12 The Power of Incremental Improvement

01:25:32 Finding Your True Self Through Challenges

To learn more about Joe Desena, check out his website: https://joedesena.com/

For more Gabby:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbyreece/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabbyreeceofficial

The Gabby Reece Show Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeEINLNlGvIceFOP7aAZk5A

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