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

Jul 22, 2020 • 38min

The Packaged Food Challenge Joe De Sena & Joshua Spodek

How much trash do you create? Professor Joshua Spodek tells Joe De Sena he had been eating packaged food with every meal of his life. One day he decided to take responsibility for his own mess. With every meal, everything we buy from stores, everything we order- we throw something away, and every item of waste you have ever “gotten rid of” still exists in some form, somewhere. Spodek calls Joe De Sena out on his own consumption - and Joe responds. Spodek, a leadership professor at NYU, has embarked on a journey to lighten his impact on the planet by creating as minimal garbage as possible. It has meant, among other things, that at the supermarket he is buying whole fruits and vegetables because everything else has packaging. The added benefit - a more healthy diet. Take responsibility for how you are participating and contributing. Are you a steward of the land and of your community? Can you implement simple tactics to improve your impact? Spartan’s, we all need to take ownership and initiative around our actions. What will you do today?! LESSONS Be where you can effect the most change Be a steward of the land Be around a community that challenges you Be resourceful and efficient to fulfill your needs Be mindful of how much trash you create Learn to reduce your impact on the earth Purchase things without packaging Adapt your tastebuds to what’s healthy and local Be motivated by internal factors Be an initiator Be better & just do ! This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by Wild Alaskan Company. With wild-caught and sustainable seafood delivered right to your door, it's never been easier to access the best seafood that Alaska and the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Go to https://wildalaskancompany.com and enter promo code SPARTAN on checkout to save $25 off your first order. LINKS https://joshuaspodek.com. His TEDx page: https://joshuaspodek.com/tedx. Joe De Sena on Spodek’s podcast https://shows.acast.com/leadership-and-the-environment/episodes/360-sparta-could-make-history Book: Initiative : https://joshuaspodek.com/initiative TIME STAMPS 0:00 intro to unpackaging and new podcasts 2:00 WildAlaskanCompany.com intro 2:30 Living in nature and edible forests 4:00 Being a steward of the land 5:00 Transforming kids 7:00 Challenging students at NYU 8:15 Things we can do to be more efficient 10:00 The need to reduce garbage 12:30 WildAlaskanCompany.com break 14:00 Shop.Spartan.Com Be Unbreakable! (Special offer through July 25th) 16:00 Communities strategies on waste 18:00 Figuring out how to reduce how much trash you make 19:30 What can you buy that has no packaging? 21:00 Foraging in the city 22:00 Changing your taste buds 24:00 Walking your talk 25:30 Empowering people to figure it out for themselves 27:15 The meaning of competition 28:30 The rules of engagement with the environment 29:30 Developing skills of an initiator 31:00 Exhausting passing fancies & ideas of a lifetime 32:30 Starting with the emotion 33:10 Why Joe feels uncomfortable 36:00 Just doing & taking ownership of your life 37:10 WildAlaskanCompany.com close 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 – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye are farming/ not buying plastic ;) Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2020 Spartan

Jul 15, 2020 • 45min

The search for a science-based secret to managing your energy / Joe De Sena & Josh Clemente

Every individual responds differently to what they eat. We all know eating a healthy diet is important, but what is happening on a chemical level inside our bodies? Josh Clemente started out as an engineer and welder at SpaceX to explore the outer atmosphere, but what he realized was most important was monitoring what was going on inside our own bodies. This episode is a great deep dive into what helps and hinders your metabolism, key tips and tricks for stabilizing your glucose response and understanding what it takes to train metabolic flexibility. As Josh says, “you have to put in focus, effort and repetition to develop metabolic health- it doesn't just happen.” Make it happen Spartans! LESSONS Individuals respond differently to foods Measure, monitor and respond to your glucose Walk after meals Train your body into metabolic flexibility Put in the effort to develop metabolic health Learn dietary flexibility It’s not just what you eat, it's how you eat it Understand the consequences of your decisions Place your actions in context This episode of Spartan Up! Is brought to you by GONEROGUESNACKS.COM - use code SPARTAN25 for a discount LINKS https://levels.link/spartan https://www.levelshealth.com/ https://www.instagram.com/unlocklevels https://twitter.com/unlocklevels ᐧ TIME STAMPS 0:00 research highlight 0:30 Joe De Sena introduces Josh Clemente1:30 GoneRogueSnacks.com intro 3:30 Working at SpaceX 5:00 Starting Levels Health 6:15 Continuous glucose monitoring 7:00 Understanding metabolism 8:00 Glucose disfunction 9:15 Individuals response to food 13:00 Real time data to make educated choices 14:00 Exercise after meals for blood sugar response 15:25 Blood sugar responses 16:45 Stored fat 17:30 Metabolic flexibility 19:30 “Bonking” & intermittent fasting 20:30 “fat-adapted” 21:30 Metabolic fitness 22:00 GoneRogueSnacks.com break 24:30 Dietary flexibility 27:00 Glucose excursions 30:00 It's not just what you eat it's how you eat it 31:30 Sleep affects insulin resistance 33:00 Applying control to your decisions 35:00 Listening to your body 37:00 Developing software around glucose monitoring 38:15 Metabolic Fitness Score 40:30 Electrochemical glucose monitoring 42:30 Joe De Sena reviews lessons learned 44:00 GoneRogueSnacks.com close 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 – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye are out training their metabolism! Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2020 Spartan

Jul 11, 2020 • 54min

How to set and Achieve Audacious Goals with Unbreakable Leadership’s Tyler Jack Harris & Joe De Sena

Tyler Jack Harris set an insane goal, to sell almost three times the number of policies a great salesperson would in a year. Then he did it, for three years straight. When 7 miles was the longest distance he had ever run, he took on two ultramarathons in one week. He completed both. He sets audacious goals and achieves them. WHY? Because he said he would. In this interview, he shares his ultimate sales technique ( which happens to be a form of respect) and his goal attacking process. He sets a goal, simplifies his target, creates an action plan, and goes forth full speed, trampling over any excuse to accomplish the task. It’s your choice, he says, honor excuses or honor your word. Be in service to others Spartans & get it done! This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by Wild Alaskan Company. With wild-caught and sustainable seafood delivered right to your door, it's never been easier to access the best seafood that Alaska and the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Go to https://wildalaskancompany.com and enter promo code SPARTAN on checkout to save $25 off your first order. LESSONS Seek discomfort & the world will deliver pleasure A safety net is the most dangerous thing you have You find out what your capable of when there isn't a plan b It’s your choice to honor excuses or honor your word To be unbreakable you have to be broken Your mental capabilities may surpass your physical Pain is a teacher Narrow your focus for success Understand the people you are serving Set audacious goals & complete them Make a plan for recovery after accomplishment Have a team around you It’s all about offense, defense & strategics Have an action list Simplify Define & honor your story Have integrity LINKS https://www.unbreakableleadership.com/ https://tylerjackharris.com/ Spartan Resilience Academy - SRA be.spartan.com/resilient TIME STAMPS 0:00 Joe De Sena Introduces the episode 1:30 Wild Alaskan Company 2:45 Interview with Tyler Jack Harris begins: Seeking discomfort 4:30 Dangers of a safety net 5:40 Eliminating options of success 6:30 Unbreakable leadership 8:00 Uncomfortable with being comfortable 10:00 Exposing kids to adversity 12:00 Pain as a teacher 13:20 Wild Alaskan Company info 15:25 Narrowing your focus 16:30 Understanding the people you are serving 18:15 Setting audacious goals 20:25 Ramifications of self-talk 25:05 Declaring identity 26:00 Planning for recovery 27:00 Having a team & an action plan 28:00 Simplifying & creating an action list 29:00 Get moving & it gets better 32:40 Joe De Sena tells us what he learned from Tyler Jack Harris 34:15 Joe De Sena introduces you to Spartan Resilience Academy 35:20 Wild Alaskan Company SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay 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. Hosts: Joe De Sena. Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye are still social distancing :) Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2020 Spartan

Jun 27, 2020 • 1h 12min

The 10k Hour Rule //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 009

Phil Davis is the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion and is currently fighting out of San Diego. In this episode we talk about Phil’s background in wrestling, where he won an NCAA title for Penn State, as well as his transition to MMA. My favorite part of this episode is when Phil talks about the 10k rule and how he applied it to his MMA training. Really enjoyed this one. Hope you do as well. Find out more at https://spartancombat.com/ 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 © 2020 Spartan

Jun 23, 2020 • 42min

Back from Death C.T. Fletcher Tells Joe De Sena to Live!

6x Powerlifting champion C.T. Fletcher is the original Iron Addict - invincible - indestructible - unbreakable. The tough-talking, weight lifting inspiration to an entire generation has flatlines not once but five times and come back from death’s door to tell us about it. When a heart attack knocked him to the ground, he thought it was lights out for good. The sheer will mirrored to him by his son and his unfaltering mantra of DON’T BREAK brought him back from the brink. People looked up to him and he would never let them down. Appreciate every day and every breath! LESSONS Going through difficult times can make you resilient The WILL to live is vital Appreciate every second Breathing should not be taken for granted Waking up in the morning is a gift Have an attitude of gratitude Don’t Break It’s not about you Don’t waste one second of life This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by DUROLANE, a single injection that may provide up to six months 1 of relief from osteoarthritis knee pain. Risks can include general knee pain and pain at injection site. You can see full prescribing information at DUROLANE.com. LINKS Episode one “Don’t Break” with CT Fletcher and Logan Aldrich https://youtu.be/fhyy-DI68k0 CT Fletcher’s Website https://ctfletcher.com Q&A with CT Fletcher - https://life.spartan.com/post/ct-flet... GET SPROUTING: To buy a Spartan Up! Sprout Kit go to https://www.trueleafmarket.com/pages/... And use the code SPARTAN10 at check out to save 10%! TIME STAMPS 2:00 DUROLANE intro 3:30 Facing tough obstacles in life 5:00 A difficult childhood 7:30 Dealing with heart disease 10:30 The baddest man alive 11:45 Getting broken down 12:45 Becoming mortal 7:25 The will to live 20:45 GET SPROUTING with the Seed Huntress 21:20 DUROLANE break 22:45 Gratitude for the gift of life 25:20 Waiting for a transplant 28:00 Stickin around for a new heart 31:25 Not BREAKING 36:15 It’s not about me 38:45 Joe’s fired up 40:00 GET YOUR SPROUTS: 41:30 DUROLANE close SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppo... Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena + Sefra Alexandra. Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye are still social distancing. Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2020 Spartan

Jun 20, 2020 • 58min

Alaskan Fishing Boat to UFC Hall of Famer//SPARTAN COMBAT ep 008

Clay Guida is a UFC fighter with wins over Nate Diaz, Anthony Petis and RDA. He’s the former Strikeforce World Champion and is set to fight in his 30th UFC fight this weekend. What really stood out to me was just how crazy Clay’s path to UFC stardom was. As they say, life only makes sense looking backwards and that’s definitely the case here. Really enjoyed this one. Hope you do as well. Find out more at https://spartancombat.com/ 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 © 2020 Spartan

Jun 15, 2020 • 48min

The Single Best Way to Improve Your Nutrition - Sprouts / Doug Evans & Joe De Sena

Spartans, there are many challenges in this world that don’t have a clear solution, this one does! The importance of food security and good nutrition has never been more obvious than in the last few months. Local access to healthy food can come from a lack of land access or resources. Sprouting seeds solves all of these problems! Seeds are inexpensive and with a simple jar and some water, wherever you live, in less than 4 days you can sprout some of the highest density, bioavailable nutrients there are! Everything that you put into your body is a choice. Raise your standards around what you eat and you will perform at a higher level than you have known. The seeds want to come alive and so do you! It’s time to Sproutin’ Up Sproutans! Doug Evans tells Joe De Sena how took responsibility for his own life, how he got off the fat, sugar, salt addiction, and finally how he became a guru of sprouting and how you can bring this powerful nutrition into your own life! LESSONS Sprouting is easy! Sprouts are the ultimate “superfood” Sprouting is affordable + accessible Sprouting increases nutrient bioavailability Eat local, nutritionally dense food Seeds want to come alive Eat sprouts daily What you put into your body is a choice This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by DUROLANE, a single injection that may provide up to six months 1 of relief from osteoarthritis knee pain. Risks can include general knee pain and pain at injection site. You can see full prescribing information at DUROLANE.com. LINKS To purchase Doug Evans “The Sprout Book,” and buy a Spartan Up! Sprout Kit go to https://www.trueleafmarket.com/pages/spartan-podcast And use the code SPARTAN10 at check out to save 10%! True Leaf Market offers a huge selection of non-gmo, heirloom and organic seeds since 1974. In addition to vegetable, herb and flower seed, you can find specialty seeds like grains, microgreens seeds, sprouting seeds and growing starter kits of all kinds. *OFFER GOOD THROUGH 6/30/20 To learn more about seed conservation & Sefra Alexandra’s endurance race expeditions as the Seed Huntress: www.seedhuntress.com TIME STAMPS 1:00 The Seed Huntress introduces this “seedy” episode 1:30 DUROLANE 3:00 Joining the 82nd Airborne Division 6:30 Finding his “Karate Kid” mentor 8:00 Addicted to fat, sugar + salt 9:30 Switching to a plant-based diet 11:00 Organic Avenue + Juicero start-ups 13:45 Living in a food “desert” 14:15 Welcome to SPROUTING 15:00 Bringing sprouting to the mainstream 16:45 Nutritional value of sprouts 17:45 Spartan sprouts! 18:45 Nutritionally dense, local food 19:20 Spartans, you can sprout anywhere! 20:15 Tools for sprouting 21:45 HOW to sprout 22:15 What happens nutritionally when you sprout? 23:30 Sprouting is easy ! 23:45 Visit www.seedhuntress.com to start sprouting! 24:00 DUROLANE Break 25:30 Universal truth: vegetables are good for you 27:00 Adding sprouts to everything 28:45 The vast genius and ingenuity of nature 30:15 Affordability of sprouts 32:30 The Sprout Book 34:30 Medicinal properties of sprouts 36:45 Eating to train 37:15 Raising your standards 39:00 Your gut microbiome 41:30 How to make the transition 44:00 Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress expresses her joy ;} ! 47:50 DUROLANE SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay 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. Hosts: Joe De Sena + Sefra Alexandra. Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye are currently sprouting. Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2020 Spartan

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!

Get the app