The Hard Way With Joe De Sena

What happens when a man with no arms and no legs decides to bear crawl to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro?   Meet Kyle Maynard—quadruple amputee, extreme athlete, ESPY Award winner, and living proof that no excuse is ever big enough. In this raw and inspiring episode, Kyle opens up about brutal workouts, life-altering injuries, climbing one of the world’s tallest mountains on all fours, and the mindset that turned his greatest obstacles into unstoppable momentum.   If you're struggling, doubting yourself, or just need a fire lit under you—this episode will move you into action.   Timestamps: 00:56 Meet Kyle Maynard, a quadruple amputee & extreme athlete 01:51 Childhood and early understanding of disability 04:30 The role of support in Kyle’s journey 05:24 Pushing through serious injuries 08:54 Joe explains the 'Valley of Death' concept 10:21 The Hero’s Journey as a life blueprint 12:14 Climbing Aconcagua and reaching breaking point 16:46 Identifying the biggest excuse holding you back 18:15 Lessons from Navy SEALs: 'Not dead, can’t quit' 20:45 How to connect with Kyle? 21:05 Final message   Connect to Kyle: Website: https://www.kyle-maynard.com/ Instagram: @kylemaynard Facebook: Kyle Maynard LinkedIn: Kyle Maynard YouTube: KyleMaynardVideos Twitter/X: @kylemaynard

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with endurance coach Floris Gierman to talk about the surprising power of slowing down to get faster, building consistency, and creating a healthier, more intentional life.   From heart rate-based training and journaling habits to sleep, movement, and mindset shifts, this episode is full of simple, practical takeaways that can help anyone—athlete or not—feel better, live longer, and perform at their best.   Floris shares lessons from world-class athletes and everyday runners alike, showing how long-term change is built through patience, self-awareness, and small daily wins. If you're tired of burnout, overwhelmed by fitness advice, or just looking for a smarter way to train and live - don’t miss this conversation.   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:43 Meet Floris Gierman from Extramilest 01:39 Finishing hard things rewires the brain 03:50 Slowing down to get faster 05:13 Science behind the 80/20 training rule  07:05 Focusing on heart rate zones 07:39 Lessons from elite Swedish racers  09:15 Journaling and pattern recognition  11:50 Track sleep, stress & screen time 12:12 Three life optimization tips 14:43 Where to find Floris online 15:05 Low heart rate training explained   Connect to Floris:   🌐 Website: extramilest.com 📸 Instagram: @florisgierman 📘 Facebook: Extramilest Community 💼 LinkedIn: Floris Gierman ▶️ YouTube: Floris Gierman Channel  ✖️ Twitter/X: @florisgierman

In this solosode, Joe De Sena dives into the raw truth about extremism—why it can either fuel your greatness or sabotage your life.   He opens up about his own intense lifestyle, the myth of moderation, and why chasing more is often a trap. Whether you're grinding toward a big goal, feeling burned out, or stuck in a cycle of doing too much, this episode is your wake-up call. Joe shares practical mindset shifts to help you define your why, eliminate distractions, and live with unstoppable purpose.   Find clarity. Cut the noise. And start living aligned with what truly matters.   Timestamps:   00:00 Intro 00:45 The problem with extremism 02:35 Joe’s personal struggle with moderation 04:18 Define your standards & stick to them 06:10 How removing comfort brings happiness  08:38 De-programming social pressure around success 10:17 Find your why and align your life with it

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with veteran, coach, and author Tara Pipia to explore how Spartan Racing and military discipline can help you overcome life’s greatest challenges.   Tara shares her journey from serving in Afghanistan to rebuilding her life through community, fitness, and purpose. Together, they dive into how doing hard things—whether on the battlefield or on the Spartan course—can heal emotional wounds, build resilience, and create lasting transformation.   If you’re looking for real-world strategies to thrive through adversity, tap into grit, and find meaning in discomfort, tune in now!   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:43 Meet Tara Pipia 01:44 Military service & leadership lessons 02:08 Sara’s most challenging experience 03:36 Lessons from doing hard things 05:21 Turning pain into progress 06:58 Growing up tough in New York 08:02 Family lessons on resilience 08:59 Joe’s story on kids quitting the camp 09:36 How Spartan race inspired Tara’s book 12:40 Spartan race & recovery 14:20 How to live an optimal life 15:31 How to connect with Tara   Connect to Tara: Website: https://www.tarapipia.com/ Instagram: @spartandekadog Facebook: Tara Pipia LinkedIn: Tara Pipia

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with fitness expert and Mind Pump co-founder Justin Andrews to cut through the noise and get real about strength, discipline, and building a resilient body and mind.   They dive into the biggest fitness myths, the power of hard work, and why modern parenting is failing kids when it comes to health and toughness. From training smarter and staying injury-free to raising kids who embrace challenges instead of screens, this conversation is packed with no-nonsense advice you can apply today.   If you’re tired of gimmicks and want real strategies for lasting strength, energy, and resilience, don’t miss this one!   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:51 Longtime Friendship & First Encounter 01:30 Fitness Trends & Industry Challenges 02:31 Technology vs. Physical Activity 04:26 The Battle Against Screens 06:09 The Power of Physical Work in Parenting 10:00 The Decline of Hard Work in Society 11:44 Toughening Up the Next Generation 13:49 The Blueprint for an Optimal Day 15:00 Optimal Daily Habits for Health 17:02 Training with Intention & Adapting with Age 20:25 How to find Jason?   Connect to Justin: Website: Mind Pump Media Instagram: @mindpumpjustin LinkedIn: Justin Andrews YouTube: Mind Pump TV Twitter/X: MindPump

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Sophie Power, a mom of three who defied all odds - going from an unathletic, overweight teenager to a record-breaking endurance athlete!   Sophie shares how she transformed her mindset, tackled extreme challenges like a 250km race across the Sahara, and set a world record for 48 hours on a treadmill—all while juggling motherhood.   She reveals the key to pushing past fear, taking that first step, and building unstoppable momentum to achieve the impossible. Whether you’re struggling to get started, looking for motivation, or ready to level up your life, this episode will challenge you to step outside your comfort zone and take on something bigger than you ever thought possible!   No more excuses—get ready to be inspired!   Timestamps:   00:00 Intro 00:57 Sophie Power, endurance athlete and mother of three 01:20 Balancing extreme challenges with motherhood 01:34 The story behind the name Sophie Power 02:03 From couch to 250km Sahara race at 26 04:55 Personal challenges and support networks 06:10 The importance of taking risks and facing fears 07:08 How challenges rewire the brain 08:29 Pushing limits in a comfortable world 10:01 Deep connections through extreme endurance events 11:05 Advice for those stuck in their comfort zone 14:54  Where to find Sophie   Connect to Sophie:   Website: https://www.sophiepower.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultra_sophie/?hl=en  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/powersophie/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/ultra_sophie

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with the unstoppable Iron Cowboy, James Lawrence, a man who redefined human endurance by completing 100 Ironmans in 100 days! James reveals the untold truth behind his record-breaking endurance feat, the brutal battles with injury and recovery, and the mindset that kept him moving when everything screamed "quit." From losing it all in the 2008 financial crash to rebuilding his life through passion and purpose, James proves that resilience isn’t just for athletes—it’s for anyone ready to break through their limits.  If you’ve ever felt stuck, lacked motivation, or wondered how to break through your limits, this episode is your wake-up call. Get ready to be inspired, fired up, and ready to take action! Timestamps: 00:20 Intro 00:52 Meet James Lawrence, the Iron Cowboy 01:42 Making a living as a full-time speaker 02:01 The reality of success in endurance challenges 05:38 Recreating the historic Spartan journey 06:30 Choosing your suffering and building resilience 07:34 Family life and becoming a grandfather 08:30 Why James chose to live in Utah 10:30 Writing Redefine Impossible and Iron Hope 13:03 Inspiring others through endurance challenges 14:32 From financial success to true purpose 16:19 Advice for those feeling stuck in life 17:51 The power of networking and meaningful connections 21:53 Recovering, brain rewiring, and returning to competition  25:55 - Where to find James and upcoming endurance events   Connect to James: 🌐 Website: https://www.ironcowboy.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironcowboyjames 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IronCowboy/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesandrewlawrence/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesLawrenceIronCowboy ✖️ Twitter/X: https://x.com/ironcowboyjames  

Summary: In this episode, Joe De Sena and Joshua Peach dive into how to turn your toughest challenges into triumphs!   Joshua shares his journey from rock bottom to unstoppable, proving that being awesome is all about resilience, mindset, and taking action. With Joe’s unique perspective, they explore the power of positivity and the simple steps you can take to crush your limits and start living with purpose.   Tune in for actionable insights that will inspire you to wake up and be awesome every single day!   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:57 Joshua’s background & his immigrant roots 01:55 ADHD & hyperactivity as a strength 04:32 Embracing failure & moving on quickly 06:01 The impact of Joe’s podcast on Josh’s life 08:42 Invitation to a Spartan Event 10:49 Joshua’s journey and his family influence 13:29 Joshua’s mission of inspiring others 15:02 The power of positivity 16:39 Changing lives is more rewarding than money 19:05 Social media & online toxicity 20:30 COVID, social media, and daily struggles 24:30 Three daily rituals for a better life 26:38 The story behind "Be Awesome"   Connect to Joshua: Website: https://www.beausm.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beausm_teetka/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuapeach/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beausm6029/featured

In this episode, endurance legend Sean Conway reveals the mindset, discipline, and relentless drive that pushed him to complete 105 Ironmans in 105 days—even after a near-fatal accident! Discover how to ditch excuses, find your tribe, and stay motivated when the going gets tough. Learn why having no Plan B is the key to pushing limits, breaking records, and achieving what seems impossible. From non-negotiable habits to mental toughness hacks, this episode will fire you up to take action, commit fully, and crush your biggest goals! Timestamps: 00:20 Intro 00:52 Sean’s devastating cycling accident 02:00 Writing books and motivation behind them 02:56 Joe’s car accident and Ironman experience 03:55 Breaking records and endurance rivalries 05:08 Balancing extreme challenges with family  05:59 Terrier mindset & relentless goal-chasing. 07:11 Finding motivation when you’re stuck 08:35 Building momentum through community  10:28 Why some quit and others keep going 12:11 No plan B strategy to stay in the game 15:53 Non-negotiables and removing decisions 17:19 Overcoming the brain’s resistance to hard work 20:08 Where to find Sean’s work. 20:30 Joe challenges Sean to a Spartan Race Connect to Sean: 🌐 Website: https://www.seanconway.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanconwayadventure/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrSeanConway/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/conseanway/videos ✖️ Twitter/X: https://x.com/conway_sean

Tired of falling off the fitness wagon every January? Spartan founder and endurance legend Joe De Sena teams up with triathlon champion Taren Gesell to share the ultimate formula for staying motivated, crushing your goals, and transforming your life. They dive into a powerful 3-step system that has helped countless individuals turn their fitness aspirations into lasting success. Discover how to set "scary" goals that push you beyond your limits, create an unbreakable support network that keeps you accountable, and shift your mindset to make fitness a natural part of your lifestyle—not just another chore.   Timestamps: 00:20 Intro 00:49 Taren Gesell, endurance athlete and motivator 01:13 Why motivation fades and 3 tips to stay on track.  02:45 Setting scary goals and building accountability 03:31 How fitness transforms identity through community. 06:03 Overcoming the fear of joining fitness groups 07:57 Joe’s global running group experiences 09:34 Embracing humility and consistent improvement  11:05 How athletes support beginners 12:15 The humbling impact of endurance races 14:01 Taren’s app and its focus on long-term motivation 15:38 Joe’s pull-up journey and daily commitment. 16:36 Training insights from world champions 17:45 Where to find Taren and his resources 18:12 Bringing triathletes to Spartan Races.   Connect to Taren: 🌐 Website: https://www.mymottiv.com/about?ref=navbar 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triathlontaren/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/tarengesell ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AKDrz2GvLxD29W9tow66g ✖️ Twitter/X: https://x.com/triathlontaren