
The Hard Way With Joe De Sena
Learn the Spartan mindset. Founder & CEO of Spartan Race and NY Times best-selling author, travels the globe seeking and answers authors, academics, athletes, adventurers, entrepreneurs, CEOs and thought leaders. It will shift your thinking, make you laugh and and give you the tools you need. He’s on a mission to find the secrets to success in all aspects of life. Not only does Joe interview epic people, he has brought together an amazing panel to break down and analyze every aspect of these interviews. We give you the ultimate blueprint and action steps to assimilating these powerful conversations into your own life.
Latest episodes

Dec 14, 2021 • 31min
Sleep and Resilience / Joe De Sena and Dr. Kirk Parsley
Sleep is the platform that all good health sits upon, says Dr. Kirk Parsley. A Navy SEAL who became an MD "Doc Parsley" found that almost all the high-performing patients he worked with had sleep issues. The more he studied it, the more he found out about the importance of sleep for resilience and performance. Today he talks with Joe De Sena, Spartan founder, and CEO, who has always said "I'll sleep when I'm dead." Dr. Parsley lectures worldwide on sleep, wellness, and hormonal optimization and is currently completing a book on sleep and health optimization. Doc Parsley on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kirkparsley/ More about Doc Parsley Docparsley.com This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by FITAID. Race dirty, recover clean with FITAID Sports Recovery Drink. Visit https://www.lifeaidbevco.com/ and enter code SPARTAN30 at checkout to get EXCLUSIVE early access to FITAID’s Black Friday 30% off sale. Joe De Sena’s Parenting book “10 Rules for Mental Toughness for Families” www.spartan.com/10Rules The Tough Bible - the best information from Spartan Up all in one place Spartan.com/toughbible Be ready for ANYTHING - download the free book https://www.spartan.com/readyforanything FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion.com Host: Joe De Sena Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye will be back soon, we miss them! © 2021 Spartan

Dec 11, 2021 • 32min
Building Healthy Feet, with Dr. Emily Splichal / ENDURANCE
“The nervous system in the body is very intelligent, and is based off of survival. Which means, it is going to find a way,” says Dr. Emily Splichal, Functional Podiatrist & Human Movement Specialist. Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, talks with Dr. Emily Splichal about how your feet can be the foundation of opportunity and how to keep them in top condition. In this episode you’ll learn about… - How important your form is, and how to correct yourself before getting injured - The relationship between your feet, endurance, and energy and how minimal footwear can help - Building sensory and strength in your feet. We were designed to run long distances, treat your feet like it - You need to learn to run properly, even with the best shoes for running Where you can find Dr. Emily Splichal: Instagram: @dremilydpm Facebook: facebook.com/dremilysplichaldpm Website: www.dremilysplichal.com SPONSOR This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by FITAID Race dirty, recover clean with FITAID Sports Recovery Drink. Visit https://www.lifeaidbevco.com/ and enter code SPARTAN30 at checkout to get EXCLUSIVE early access to FITAID’s Black Friday 30% off sale. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer: Lake Watters Hosts: Johnny Waite Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Dec 10, 2021 • 25min
Uplift Yourself and Other People, Don’t Tear Everyone Down, Chandler Smith pt 2 / DEKA
“You don’t want it to just be challenging for the most capable person in your formation, because then you’re going to crush everybody below them and they’re gonna feel awful. And you don’t want to just make it challenging for the less capable folks in your formation, because then you’re not going to challenge the folks up high. You have to consistently work to identify how you can make the experience one that elevates everyone, hopefully simultaneously,” says Chandler Smith, former Army Captain, 4-Year West Point Wrestler, and 3x Crossfit Games athlete. Today Yancy and Jarod talk with Chandler Smith about trying to find balance in life, finding the right environment, and elevating yourself and other people along the way. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Just because you’re having a bad day doesn’t mean you should make it bad for someone else - You’re open to more pain when dedicated to something - There’s no losses in life if you believe in what you’re doing - The power of remembering someone’s name You can check out Chandler’s Instagram @blacksmifff Connect with Jarod and Yancy on social, and attend a DEKA event: -Jarod’s Social: @jarod_cogswell -Yancy’s Social: @YancyCulp -Race a DEKA Event: DEKA-FIT SPONSOR This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by FITAID Race dirty, recover clean with FITAID Sports Recovery Drink. Visit https://www.lifeaidbevco.com/ and enter code SPARTAN30 at checkout to get EXCLUSIVE early access to FITAID’s Black Friday 30% off sale. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram: @spartanuppodcast Spartan Up on Twitter: @SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer: Lake Watters Host: Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Dec 4, 2021 • 31min
Putting Yourself At Points of Friction, Chandler Smith Pt 1 / DEKA
“But then after these events that you see as only having negative outcomes occur, after they happen, you can, oftentimes, look back and be like, 'Alright well that actually ended up being something that forced me to think about things in a completely different way, that challenged me and made me a lot better.' And that's how I view that now. Like, without the finger thing happening, I definitely don't make the Crossfit Games in 2019 and probably don't end up figuring out the rest of my Army career, as far as how to relate it to fitness... So I'm really lucky, I think, that it happened,” says Chandler Smith, former Army Captain, 4-Year West Point Wrestler, and 3x Crossfit Games athlete. Today Yancy and Jarod talk with Chandler Smith about how having pain exposed has helped him be a better athlete and a better human being. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Learning to suffer on the path to success, and not expecting success to just happen out of nowhere - You can find positives in everything, even after losing part of a finger - You need to recognize your weaknesses and realize you will not always be the best at what you do You can check out Chandler’s Instagram @blacksmifff Connect with Jarod and Yancy on social, and attend a DEKA event: -Jarod’s Social: @jarod_cogswell -Yancy’s Social: @YancyCulp -Race a DEKA Event: DEKA-FIT SPONSORS This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by Honey Stinger & CLMBR CLMBR provides a full body strength + cardio workout with zero impact. Get an efficient workout in only 30min with CLMBR, the most advanced vertical climber ever! Visit https://clmbr.com/ and use the code SPARTAN for $250 off a CLMBR. Honey Stinger’s waffles, energy chews, gels and bars provide the fuel you need to push harder and go farther. For training and racing, you need convenient nutrition that tastes great and works. Use code HSSpartan2020 at Honeystinger.com for 30% off and Sweeten the burn. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram: @spartanuppodcast Spartan Up on Twitter: @SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer: Lake Watters Host: Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Dec 3, 2021 • 30min
Break From The Pack, Peter Jackson and GT Dave / CLASSIC
Joe - "What if your neighbor's kid started to see what--" "Then so be it. Right? I was cool with it. I mean, again, I wasn't chasing dollars, I was not trying to become famous, I was not trying to take over the world. I really just wanted to make a great product and share it with the world. And again, if it was one bottle or one million bottles, to me there is no difference, it was just doing something great," says GT Dave. In this episode we talk to Peter Jackson, CEO of Bluescape, and GT Dave, founder and CEO of GT's Kombucha, about lessons they've learned in life that have helped them with their business and personal success. In this episode you'll learn: - Go for the long odds - Delayed gratification is normal - Pace your venture with your personal life - Happiness comes from helping others If you want to watch the full episodes, Using Spartan timing tenacity and execution for business success (Peter Jackson) - https://youtu.be/W7ZNT25UNzU 142: GT Dave | The Story Behind the Kombucha King - https://youtu.be/RB2jgyWLFh8 SPONSORS This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by Honey Stinger & CLMBR CLMBR provides a full body strength + cardio workout with zero impact. Get an efficient workout in only 30min with CLMBR, the most advanced vertical climber ever! Visit https://clmbr.com/ and use the code SPARTAN for $250 off a CLMBR. Honey Stinger's waffles, energy chews, gels and bars provide the fuel you need to push harder and go farther. For training and racing, you need convenient nutrition that tastes great and works. Use code HSSpartan2020 at Honeystinger.com for 30% off and Sweeten the burn. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer: Lake Watters Hosts: Johnny Waite, Joe De Sena Co-Hosts: Sefra Alexandra, Col. Nye Guest Host: Mark Webb Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Dec 1, 2021 • 18min
Geek out on Your Metabolism / Joe De Sena with Apo Atsalakis & Alex Wisch
Greek scientist Apostolos Atsalakis, founder of PNOE, and athlete Alex Wisch join Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan, to talk about metabolism, zone workouts, and VO2 max. Apo is the co-founder of PNOĒ which adapts a breath analysis test that was known for over a century, to allow the mass adoption of metabolic analysis (RMR and VO2Max testing). He graduated from the University of Cambridge, joined Y Combinator with PNOĒ in 2019, and has joined the Fortune 40 under 40 Greek list. He loves windsurfing and strength training. Alex Wisch is the founder of Wisch Fit. During the pandemic he teamed up with Spartan to raise awareness and money for veterans mental health by completing 1000 strict pull-ups, 2000 push-ups and 3000 squats with a 20 lbs vest in about 6 hrs. Joe De Sena’s Parenting book “10 Rules for Mental Toughness for Families” www.spartan.com/10Rules The Tough Bible - the best information from Spartan Up all in one place Spartan.com/toughbible More about Apo and PNOE www.pnoe.com This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by Honey Stinger & CLMBR CLMBR provides a full body strength + cardio workout with zero impact. Get an efficient workout in only 30min with CLMBR, the most advanced vertical climber ever! Visit https://clmbr.com/ and use the code SPARTAN for $250 off a CLMBR. Honey Stinger’s waffles, energy chews, gels and bars provide the fuel you need to push harder and go farther. For training and racing, you need convenient nutrition that tastes great and works. Use code HSSpartan2020 at Honeystinger.com for 30% off and Sweeten the burn. FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion.com Host: Joe De Sena Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye will be back soon, we miss them! © 2021 Spartan

Nov 27, 2021 • 34min
Eating Well is so Fxcking Simple, with Allen Lim, Dr. Fred Bisci, and Jeffrey Zurofsky / CLASSIC
“You can’t run a race if you’re not thinking about the type of food, the fuel you’re putting in your body. And if you’re a kid growing up in New York City, and you’re going to school, you can’t think about math if the stuff you’re being fed is not good fuel,” says Jeffrey Zurofsky, chef and entrepreneur. This week’s classic episode is about the benefits of eating well for your social, mental, and physical health. In this episode you’ll learn… It’s okay to eat what you want, as long as you don’t lose control You don’t have to only eat raw fruits and veggies to be healthy The difference that cutting out processed foods can make If you want to watch the full episodes, Skratch Labs Allen Lim talks about Food and Sport - https://youtu.be/PTLxmgEJG40 Dr. Fred Bisci - Lived on ONLY raw fruits and vegetables for 50+ years! - https://youtu.be/YD45q5_XKnI Chefrepreneur Jeffrey Zurofsky ep.062 - https://youtu.be/J6YrtY978Xo SPONSOR This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by 5.11 and FITAID Race dirty, recover clean with FITAID Sports Recovery Drink. Visit https://www.lifeaidbevco.com/ and enter code SPARTAN30 at checkout to get EXCLUSIVE early access to FITAID’s Black Friday 30% off sale. And 5.11, the Official Plate Carrier sponsor of the 2021 U.S. Spartan Events, 511Tactical.com SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer: Lake Watters Hosts: Johnny Waite, Joe De Sena Co-Hosts: Sefra Alexandra, Col. Nye Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Nov 25, 2021 • 23min
Thanksgiving! with our hosts Johnny Waite, Jarod Cogswell & Yancy Culp
“There’s some brutal optics, and you see the crappy things going on out there, and every now and then we’re reminded that there’s way way more good than there is bad,” says Yancy Culp, co-host of the DEKA Series. Today, Jarod, Yancy and Johnny Waite all get together to talk about what it means to be grateful and how caring for others will impact your life. In this episode, you’ll learn: Importance of giving and being grateful Be thankful for your journey and the opportunities and people you meet along the way There’s way more good on the Earth than bad Connect with Jarod and Yancy on social, and attend a DEKA event: -Jarod’s Social: @jarod_cogswell -Yancy’s Social: @YancyCulp -Race a DEKA Event: DEKA-FIT SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by 5.11 and Fitaid 5.11, the Official Plate Carrier sponsor of the 2021 U.S. Spartan Events, 511Tactical.com And Race dirty, recover clean with FITAID Sports Recovery Drink. Visit https://www.lifeaidbevco.com/ and enter code SPARTAN30 at checkout to get EXCLUSIVE early access to FITAID’s Black Friday 30% off sale. That’s 30% off EVERYTHING. Enjoy that post race reward anytime by visiting lifeaidbevco.com and coupon code SPARTAN30 for 30% plus fast, free shipping. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram: @spartanuppodcast Spartan Up on Twitter: @SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer: Lake Watters Host: Johnny Waite, Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Nov 24, 2021 • 24min
Playing the Hand You're Dealt / Joe De Sena & John Henry
“Someone took the hand you’re complaining about and won with it” said John Henry. A Dominican-American entrepreneur and investor. Henry has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc 30 Under 30, Adweek Creative 100, The Root 100, and Ebony Power 100 lists. John Henry, Cofounder and Co-CEO of Loop, and Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan, talk about what makes a win. The hand? The player? The game? All three? John Henry on Twitter https://twitter.com/JohnHenryStyle John Henry on Discord discord.gg/loop Loop https://www.ridewithloop.com/ Joe De Sena’s Parenting book “10 Rules for Mental Toughness for Families” www.spartan.com/10Rules The Tough Bible - the best information from Spartan Up all in one place Spartan.com/toughbible This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by 5.11 and FITAID Race dirty, recover clean with FITAID Sports Recovery Drink. Visit https://www.lifeaidbevco.com/ and enter code SPARTAN30 at checkout to get EXCLUSIVE early access to FITAID’s Black Friday 30% off sale. 5.11, the Official Plate Carrier sponsor of the 2021 U.S. Spartan Events, 511Tactical.com FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion.com Host: Joe De Sena Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye will be back soon, we miss them! © 2021 Spartan

Nov 20, 2021 • 38min
Recovering From Injury, Nicole Mericle / ENDURANCE
“It’s that important. It’s like, basically you approach recovery as if it’s like your most important workout of the week, but you do it everyday, probably,” says Nicole Mericle. Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, talks with Nicole Mericle about her recovery from tearing her ACL, and how we can find the mindset to recover and come back better than before. In this episode you’ll learn about… Focusing on what you can control yourself during each step of recovery Approaching recovery the same way as training, and how athletes need to treat recovery more importantly than their workouts Learning from previous and current injuries Having the necessary support and reinforcement from those around you during recovery The obstacles you think are the easiest are the ones you’re more likely to get hurt on Nicole Mericle is an OCR and Spartan legend, 2019 Spartan Race World Champion, and founder of OCR Dream Team, Elevating women in OCR. You can follow her on Instagram: @nickeldm And check out her website for the Dream Team: www.ocrdreamteam.com SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by CLMBR and Fitaid CLMBR provides a full body strength + cardio workout with zero impact. Get an efficient workout in only 30min with CLMBR, the most advanced vertical climber ever! Visit https://clmbr.com/ and use the code SPARTAN for $250 off a CLMBR. Race dirty, recover clean with FITAID Sports Recovery Drink. Visit https://www.lifeaidbevco.com/ and enter code SPARTAN30 at checkout to get EXCLUSIVE early access to FITAID’s Black Friday 30% off sale. That’s 30% off EVERYTHING. Enjoy that post race reward anytime by visiting lifeaidbevco.com and coupon code SPARTAN30 for 30% plus fast, free shipping. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer: Lake Watters Hosts: Johnny Waite Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan
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