
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

Mar 24, 2021 • 40min
Blue Scorpion Venom & Other Nutrition Hacks / Bryce Wylde
Get your notebook out, because today, Joe is going to geek out with functional medicine clinician price wild from Blue Scorpion venom and Spartan t to vitamin D and akinesia Bryce shares evidence-based tips and information that are part biohack part nutrition, and art plain old biology. Bryce Wylde BSc (hons), DHMHS is a functional medicine clinician at P3 Health in Toronto with over 20 years seeing patients. As a leading health expert and co-founder of Youtrients, founder of mymmunity, author of four best selling books, previous host of CTV's Wylde On Health, and regular guest health expert / medical advisor on “The Doctor Oz” show, he is truly Wylde about health! This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by Orgain. clean nutrition to help you stay healthy, active, and feeling your best? New subscribers save 30% at orgain.com/pages/spartan LINKS: Bryce on Instagram @WyldeOnHealth More about Bryce www.wyldeonhealth.com Use Bryce's offer to save 30% at https://mymmunity.com/ with the code SPARTAN30 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, llc. Host: Joe De Sena Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye will be back soon, we miss them! © 2021 Spartan

Mar 20, 2021 • 31min
The Roadmap to Fulfillment with Super Frenchie, Matthias Giraud / DEKA
“Everyone is chasing happiness. Screw happiness. Fulfillment...checks all the boxes including happiness,” says Matthias, Super Frenchie, Giraud. Spartan Up Podcast DEKA Series hosts’ Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp talk with Matthias about the ethos to fulfillment. In this episode you’ll learn: -Why is fulfillment the ultimate form of realization? -What would Matthias say to people who aren’t maximizing who they are? -What is mental blockage and how do you overcome it? -How do you make your existence count? -Not to fear fear. Feeling fear is a natural part of the human existence Connect with Super Frenchie Instagram: superfrenchieofficial Twitter: @matthiasgiraud Website: SuperFrenchie.Com Watch the trailer for Super Frenchie the Movie: https://www.superfrenchiedoc.com/ Learn more about Super Frenchie: Matthias Giraud also known as “Super Frenchie” (born on September 24, 1983) is a professional skier and B.A.S.E. jumper. He was born in Evreux, France and grew up skiing at St Gervais-les-Bains/Megeve, France. Matthias is known for combining BASE jumping with skiing and completed several first descents and ski BASE jumps across the globe including the first ski BASE jump off the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Matthias Giraud currently lives in Bend, Oregon. SPONSOR This episode of Spartan Up! is brought to you by BetterHelp. Save 10% on your first month by going to BetterHelp.com/Spartan. 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: Ryan Warner Host: Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Mar 18, 2021 • 19min
Commit to Your Next Endurance Adventure with Charlie Engle / ENDURANCE
“That feeling of uncertainty - the feeling of not knowing if you’re capable to finish the race - is a gift,” says Charlie Engle, when speaking about his criteria for an adventure. At this point in Charlie’s career, he’s actively seeking adventures where completion is in doubt from the very start of the race. Spartan Up Endurance Series host Johnny Waite talks with Charlie about the criteria he uses to choose his next adventure. In this episode you’ll learn: -There’s no reason for age to be a limitation -Charlie’s mission in life -The 5.8 adventure series and why it’s exciting for Charlie -How to pick your next endurance adventure -Never make a big decision at your lowest or highest -How does Charlie break-down a big adventure? Connect with Charlie on social media: -Instagram: @charlieengle -Twitter: @CHARLIEENGLE -Facebook: @CharlieEngleRuns -Website: CharlieEngle.Com SPONSOR This episode of Spartan Up! is brought to you by BetterHelp. Save 10% on your first month by going to BetterHelp.com/Spartan. 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: Ryan Warner Hosts: Johnny Waite Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Mar 16, 2021 • 37min
The Attributes of Optimal Performance / Rich Diviney & Joe De Sena
What are the essential attributes you need to succeed? On a Spartan course, as an athlete or an entrepreneur? Rich Diviney served over 20 years as a Navy SEAL Officer. His new book “The Attributes” defines the key qualities, how to assess them, and how to develop them. In a career spanning over twenty years, Rich completed more than thirteen overseas deployments—eleven of which were to Iraq and Afghanistan. He served on multiple SEAL teams and in several leadership positions, including as a commanding officer for a SEAL squadron. As an officer in charge of training, Rich was intimately involved in an extremely specialized SEAL selection process, which whittles a group of exceptional candidates down to small cadre of the most elite optimal performers. Today's episode of Spartan up is brought to you by BetterHelp. Spartan Up listeners can save 10% on their first month by going to www.BetterHelp.com/Spartan LINKS: https://theattributes.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, llc. Host: Joe De Sena Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye will be back soon, we miss them! © 2021 Spartan

Mar 12, 2021 • 16min
When the coach doesn't want you there with Victoria Francis / COMBAT
“It was hard being the only girl on the team but I thought, because you don’t want me here, I’m going to stick it out just to make you mad,” says Victoria Francis, 2x member of the USA Women's Wrestling Team. SpartanUp Combat Series host Ryan Warner talks with Victoria about her journey of overcoming the resistance from her youth coach to now being one of the top female wrestlers in the world at her weight. In this episode you’ll learn: -How she overcame the fear of being the only female wrestler at her school -How she processed her coach telling Victoria that he didn’t want her there -The moment Victoria realized she wanted to compete at the senior/olympic level -How to use visualization to prepare for practice -Why Victoria visualizes in the 3rd person Follow Victoria to track her Olympic Journey: -Twitter: @_VFran_ -Instagram: @_victoriafrancis_ SPONSOR This episode of Spartan Up! is brought to you by BetterHelp. Save 10% on your first month by going to BetterHelp.com/Spartan. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW US: Spartan Combat: https://www.instagram.com/spartancombat/ Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Find out more at https://spartancombat.com/ © 2021 Spartan

Mar 9, 2021 • 38min
Build Mental Strength & Resilience / Dr. Lara Pence & Marion Abrams
Spartans believe in readiness. Life will throw your curveballs, and you will need to be mentally, physically and emotionally strong, resilient and ready. Our guest, psychologist Dr. Lara Pence, has a passion for teaching us to strengthen our emotional resilience. In this episode, she talks about the 5 tools you should pack in your mindset readiness kit, and how to develop the tools you don’t yet have. This episode is guest hosted by our behind the scenes producer Marion Abrams in honor of International Women’s Day. Today's episode of Spartan up is brought to you by BetterHelp. Spartan Up listeners can save 10% on their first month by going to www.BetterHelp.com/Spartan LINKS: www.drlarapence.com www.lighfbox.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, llc. Host: Joe De Sena Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye will be back soon, we miss them! © 2021 Spartan

Mar 8, 2021 • 25min
We Need More Women in OCR with Nicole Mericle / ENDURANCE
“Basically I saw a lack of competition at the same level as on the male side. I saw a lot of my female friends backing away from competitive races and I thought it was a shame, so I decided I wanted to sponsor a women’s team,” says Nicole Mericle, 2019 Spartan World Champion. Spartan Up Endurance Series host Johnny Waite talks with Nicole about women in OCR and how we as a collective can encourage more women to participate. In this episode you’ll learn... -Nicole’s genesis story with OCR racing -Nicole’s initiative to bring women into the sport via her professional team -How to make OCR more welcoming for women -Why Alex Walker and Renee Metivier are women to watch in the OCR world -Resources for women looking to participate in OCR Connect with Nicole on Social: -Instagram: @nickeldm -Twitter: @Nickeldm -Facebook: Nicole Mericle -OCRDreamTeam.Com About Nicole: Nicole is a 5-time obstacle course racing world champion and the current Spartan Race World Champion. Nicole’s competitive background began as a Division 1 Cross Country and Track & Field athlete at Rice University where she held two school records and qualified for the 2008 Olympic Trials in the 3,000m steeplechase. She raced post collegiately with Hudson Elite in Boulder, Colorado, and over time transitioned to trail running and garnered her passion for rock climbing. Her diverse athletic strengths led her to test her skills at her first obstacle course race in 2016. Nicole was immediately successful, and in 2017 she won the US OCR Championship in both the 3k and 15k, finished as the first American in the Spartan Championship Series, and won the OCR World 3k Championships and Tougher Mudder World Championships. In 2018, she repeated as the 3K OCR World Champion and in 2019 solidified her rise to the top of the sport winning both the Spartan Race World and Trifecta Championships. SPONSOR This episode of Spartan Up! is brought to you by BetterHelp. Save 10% on your first month by going to BetterHelp.com/Spartan. 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: Ryan Warner Hosts: Johnny Waite Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Mar 6, 2021 • 49min
How to conquer fear and live an intentional life with Super Frenchie, Matthias Giraud / DEKA
“The first thing I thought was...you’re not dying today,” says Matthias, Super Frenchie, Giraud when remembering an epic ski-BASE jump on the North face of Matterhorn with one ski. Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series hosts’ Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp talk with Matthias about how to conquer fear and live an intentional life. In this episode you’ll learn: -The origin story for Matthias’ famous Eiger-Matterhorn-Mont Blanc alpinist trilogy ski-BASE adventure -Humility and how to achieve it -How to balance excitement with fear -Matthias’ prep routine - both mental and physical - when readying for a world-record jump -Why is Man’s Search for Meaning one of his favorite books? -What is identity death and how did Matthias recover from it? -How has Matthias’ focus from Ski-BASEING transitioned into his family-life? -What is the most important lesson to teach your kids? Connect with Super Frenchie Instagram: superfrenchieofficial Twitter: @matthiasgiraud Website: SuperFrenchie.Com Watch the trailer for Super Frenchie the Movie: https://www.superfrenchiedoc.com/ Learn more about Super Frenchie: Matthias Giraud also known as “Super Frenchie” (born on September 24, 1983) is a professional skier and B.A.S.E. jumper. He was born in Evreux, France and grew up skiing at St Gervais-les-Bains/Megeve, France. Matthias is known for combining BASE jumping with skiing and completed several first descents and ski BASE jumps across the globe including the first ski BASE jump off the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Matthias Giraud currently lives in Bend, Oregon. SPONSOR This episode of Spartan Up! is brought to you by The Ready State. Get a free trial and save 10% for life by using the code Spartan10 at TheReadyState.Com. This episode of Spartan Up! is also brought to you by Headspace. Go to HeadSpace.Com/Spartan for a free, one-month trial. 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: Ryan Warner Host: Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Mar 4, 2021 • 22min
Running Through Addiction with Ultra-running Legend Charlie Engle / ENDURANCE
“The addict part of me is the best part of me,” says Charlie Engle, ultrarunning legend. Charlie speaks to how ultrarunning provided an outlet to channel his inner-addiction. SpartanUp Endurance Series host Johnny Waite talks with Charlie about sobriety and fellowship, and how ultrarunning ties the two together. In this episode you’ll learn: -Why Charlie feels that his ‘addict part’ is the best part -How to run the addiction out of yourself -Two big lessons when working with a team -Why fellowship is the tried and true way to get through struggle -The one reason Charlie enters a 100-mile race -What happens to us isn’t as important as what we do about it -How to share without expectation of receiving -How to maintain sobriety Connect with Charlie -Twitter: @CHARLIEENGLE -Instagram: @CharlieEngle SPONSOR This episode of Spartan Up! is brought to you by The Ready State. Get a free trial and savee 10% for life by using the code Spartan10 at TheReadyState.Com. This episode is also brought to you by Headspace. Go to HeadSpace.Com/Spartan for a free, one-month trial. 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: Ryan Warner Hosts: Johnny Waite Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2021 Spartan

Mar 2, 2021 • 29min
How to Build a Winning Mindset / Joe De Sena & Gene Zannetti
Training for mindset is just as important as training for strength. But how do you get started? Today Joe De Sena (founder and CEO of Spartan) talks with Gene Zannetti who created the Z-Winning Mindset program. The insights in this episode will help you start a daily mindset "workout," whether you are looking to progress as an athlete, professional, student or other areas of performance. "Everyone says our success in life is 90% mental, but then when you ask them about their preparation, they say 90% physical. I'm not a mathematician over here. But I know that's a problem." More about Gene Zannetti: A former nationally ranked, All-Ivy League wrestler, Gene Zannetti and his brother Jeff studied the best athletes, coaches, teams, and experts in the world to learn the secrets of performance success. The Zannetti brothers originally launched their venture as “Wrestling Mindset.” The company has since expanded their systematic mindset training into all sports, businesses and schools. Winning Mindset coaches have worked with thousands of athletes, teams, professionals & coaches at all levels including the Men’s & Women’s USA Olympic Team, UFC fighters, high school state champions and NCAA national champions. Today's episode of Spartan up is brought to you by The Ready State. Use the code SPARTAN10 at thereadystate.com to get a free two week trial of VMC for free, and then 10% off your membership for life after your free trial ends. This episode of Spartan Up podcast is brought to you by Headspace You deserve to feel happier, and Headspace is meditation made simple. Visit HEADSPACE.com/SPARTAN for a FREE one month trial with access to Headspace’s full library of meditations for every situation. LINKS: https://linktr.ee/zwinningmindset 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, llc. Host: Joe De Sena Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye will be back soon, we miss them! © 2021 Spartan
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