

The Hard Way With Joe De Sena
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 11, 2020 • 54min
The Biggest Upset of All Time //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 011
This week’s episode features an audio documentary - Assembly Fall - produced by our host Ryan Warner. The audio documentary is about the biggest upset in Illinois High School wrestling history. Enjoy! ABOUT: Dubbed as the biggest upset in Illinois history, Matt Kucala defied the odds and pinned the previously unbeaten Eric Tannenbaum at the 2001 IHSA state finals. Assembly Fall takes an in-depth look at that match and answers the question: is it the biggest upset in state history? 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

Jul 8, 2020 • 38min
Busting stereotypes and Running Ultras with The Mirnavator!
What does an Ultra Runner look like? Sometimes it looks like Mirna Valerio! Mirna, “The Mirnavator,” is busting expectations and stereotypes and she’s on a mission to make trail running, fitness and the outdoors accessible to all. She and Joe De Sena talk about some of the challenges and rewards of being an unconventional runner. “I feel my most human out on the trails.” New to trail running? She shares her 6 key tips to getting the most out of the sport. Mirna says “I’m not out here to win sh*t, I’m out here to be on trails and show people that … if you have a body like mine you can be on trails too!” Nature, fitness, Spartan races and trail running are for everyone. Have you thought about what you can do to help us on our mission to rip 100million people off the couch? Are you welcoming new and different athletes to our sport? Forget the excuses, don’t be afraid to fail and just get out there - and inspire others to join you! LESSONS Live an enthusiastic life Find the greatness in yourself Embrace the joy of the trails The trails are made for all body types Bring joy to others Forget excuses Inspire others Don’t depend on motivation Start wherever you are Give yourself grace, time and be patient! Do not be afraid to fall Get a really good pair of trail shoes Work on your core & lateral & leg strength Go on the trails with a sense of adventure! 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://themirnavator.com/ https://www.spartan.com/en/trail TIME STAMPS 0:45 Sefra Alexandra introduces the “Mirnavator” 1:30 Wildalaskancompany.com special offer 2:30 Moving to the great state of Vermont 4:30 “Slow As F*ck” 6:30 The “ZoomPocalypse” 8:00 Growing up in a strong community in Brooklyn 9:30 Starting her running “journey” 11:00 Finding the greatness in yourself 12:00 The joy of being out on the trails 13:00 Food as fuel 14:00 The trails are made for all body types 15:00 Forget your excuses- get out there! 16:00 Inspiring others 18:20 Wildalaskancompany.com break 20:00 “A Beautiful Work in Progress” 22:00 Starting wherever you are 24:00 Getting injured and pivoting 27:30 Trail Running tips 101 ! 30:00 Adventures in the Copper Canyon 32:00 Tracking her son 35:45 Sefra the Seed Huntress reflects on this awesome episode 37:30 Wildalaskancompany.com 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/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 on the trails! Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2020 Spartan

Jul 4, 2020 • 54min
How to Improve Your Mental Climate //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 010
Mark Schwab is the former wrestling coach for the Big 10 power Minnesota Gopher wrestling team. In this episode, Mark talks about having a ‘healthy mental climate’ and how to achieve that. Enjoy folks! 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

Jul 1, 2020 • 36min
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

Jun 13, 2020 • 54min
Taking Your Opponent to Deep Waters //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 007
Forrest Molinari is a 2x member of Team USA for our women’s wrestling team. She’s vying for a spot on the 2021 Olympic Team. She was fifth at both the 2018 and 2019 World Championships. She was also the 2019 and 2020 US Open champion. Originally based out of California, Forrest attended King University (Tennessee) and was living in Iowa City Iowa at the time of this recording. Enjoy it folks! 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 11, 2020 • 39min
Courageous Conversations: How to Talk About Race with Kwame Christian and Dr. Lara Pence
A 3 step framework. In life, there are countless opportunities to have hard conversations. Whether we are confronting a friend who is struggling with unhealthy behaviors, giving a review to someone at work who hasn’t been meeting their benchmarks, or talking to family members about certain high-octane issues, we are never at a loss to engage in a conversation that requires courage. Today our own Dr. Lara Pence talks with Kwame Christan, the Director of the American Negotiation Institute, about his framework for how to have hard conversations. His three-step method will provide you with incredible tools that will equip you with greater courage and confidence in beginning these hard conversations about race, conflict and the importance of getting to the other side of difficult conversations. Right now, racial injustice and the topic of race in general is at the forefront of many discussions. Many are opting in, attempting to navigate their own experience while listening to the community at large. Others are opting out, unsure of what to say, stuck in analysis paralysis, and hesitant to contribute. The truth is, it’s easy to opt out. But we are Spartans. We opt in when it’s difficult. We move towards obstacles. We call in challenges. And this is no different. But it’s helpful to have some tools to get us started. LESSONS Turn passion into persuasion Have the tools to have the conversation Create connection Understand the Compassionate Curiosity Framework Find confidence in conflict Acknowledge + validate emotions Get curious with compassion Engage in joint problem solving Seek to understand Acknowledge your own emotions Learn to respond versus react Look at conflict as an opportunity 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 https://americannegotiationinstitute.com/ https://americannegotiationinstitute.com/justice/ TIME STAMPS 0:40 DUROLANE intro 3:00 The other side of difficult conversations 5:00 Where people are getting stuck 6:30 Tools to create connection + have a conversation 8:30 What’s holding us back 11:00 Where to start - The Compassionate Curiosity Framework 12:45 What you can do to create change 14:30 Seeking to understand 15:00 DUROLANE Break 17:00 Moral licensing 20:45 Intent as a guide in conversation 22:00 Calling people out verse calling them in 23:40 The vortex of shame 25:45 The need for people to be understood 27:19 Micro-negotiating 30:00 Addressing concepts with kids + teens 35:00 Tools to practice 38:00 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/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Guest Host Dr. Lara Pence Joe De Sena, Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye are currently social distancing. Synopsis – Dr. L & Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2020 Spartan