
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 24, 2019 • 31min
Josh Crosby & Joe De Sena | Voracious Rower
When winning isn’t enough, try working to improve the “MOD,” or Margin of the Day. That’s the margin by which you win. One of Joe De Sena’s favorite quotes: “will it make the boat go faster?” Josh Crosby, world champion rower and co-founder of BDY SQD, attacks life with a voracious appetite. Dedicated to constant improvement and pushing himself farther, his perseverance, persistence and passion led him to success as a rower, in adventure racing, and to be a pioneer in the realm of rowing in modern fitness. Don’t just win the day - win by a large margin! LESSONS Focus on a shared goal and give 100% It’s all about perseverance, persistence and passion Always go back to the team Margin Of the Day (MOD) - how much can you win by? Make your personal scores the best they can be Utilize your expertise and passion Find a moment of pause to refocus Find your direction Pursue that direction with ultimate voracity: Attack & commit LINKS BDY SQD https://gobodysquad.com/about-us/ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Sefra & Joe introduce this week’s interview (and Joe’s kids shake the van to wake Josh up!) 1:30 Interview begins in Josh’s beauty of a blue van: The Body Squad Mobile 3:25 Starting out as rower, coming from a long lineage of rowers 4:30 Being trained by a “quiet leader” 6:30 Moving the oar and training the body and mind 7:30 Everyone focusing on the same goal and giving 100% 8:45 Perseverance, persistence and passion 10:50 Setting the rhythm for the boat- getting to the junior World Championships 12:45 Getting recruited to Brown University 14:15 Margin of the Day (MOD) - how much you can win by 1 6:15 Making your personal scores the best they can be 17:15 Getting as fit as possible for the National Team 18:20 Shooting for the Olympics 20:30 Reevaluating and starting Indo-Row 22:25 Key Rowing Advisor to Orange Theory & starting Body Squad 23:25 Benefits of the Body Squad myofascial modality & infrared technologies 26:30 Attach & Commit 27:15 Sefra & Joe have a tête-à-tête about what they learned 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 Dr. Johnny Waite & Col. Nye were off rowing on the river Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2019 Spartan

Dec 18, 2019 • 3min
Mini: You Can Learn Optimism: Part Two / Spartan MIND
Spartan's "Chief Mind Doc" Dr. L says: Although there might be some individuals who just seem more optimistic or positive, the truth is that we can all learn to practice optimism and weave some of the tenants into our life. The first element that was discussed in the last episode included shifting your perspective that sees things as permanent to seeing things as temporary. Another way of thinking that can be helpful for you in building optimism is limiting your language and views around things as being pervasive - that if they happen in one arena, they happen in all arenas. If you think of certain events as singular, you can approach each experience with a fresh, new perspective. LESSONS: Optimism can be learned and if you practice certain elements of optimism routinely, you can weave a more optimistic perspective into your world. Reminding yourself that painful events and even failures are singular events can help you feel and be more hopeful. Develop an internal coach that reminds you that not all things are pervasive and that you have agency to see each event as new. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND DR. L: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Dr. L on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drlarapence/ CREDITS: Production Team: Heather Knox, Knox Creative; Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Host: Dr. Lara Pence Synopsis: Dr. Lara Pence © 2019 Spartan

Dec 17, 2019 • 38min
Define Your Own Path with Laura Gassner Otting & Joe De Sena
Who has created your idea of success? Are you on the path you want should be on? Laura Gassner Otting, author of “Limitless” talks with Joe De Sena about carving your own way and revisiting what it is that ignites your passion. Don't be afraid of change, get comfortable being uncomfortable. Push yourself beyond what you thought was feasible, making the peaks & possibilities of life ahead of you Limitless! Joe is joined by Marko Cheseto, a Kenyan runner who lost both legs while on a running scholarship in Alaska who now holds the world marathon speed record for a double amputee. LESSONS Stay in your center of competence & excellence Failure is not a finale it’s a fulcrum Lean out over your comfort zone You ultimately make you own decisions Confidence to do big things comes from competence Never settle for mediocrity Define success for yourself Consonance: calling, connection, contribution & control Remember that you GET to do this! FIND OUT MORE: Laura & her Book “Limitless:” https://lauragassnerotting.com/limitless/ SpartanX Leadership https://www.spartanxleadership.com/ TIME STAMPS 0:00 Joe & guest host Marko Cheseto introduce this episode and SpartanX 1:30 Interview begins at Fenway & Laura’s origins in Miami 3:00 Experiences in Law School leading to the White House 3:45 Working in the Clinton Administration 4:30 Becoming a headhunter & starting her own advisory group 5:55 Growing a business, becoming a professional speaker & author 7:00 Listening for eight motivating factors 8:00 Does success equal happiness? 9:30 Making decisions with the frontal lobe 11:00 Staying in a center of competence & excellence 12:45 Leaning out over your comfort zone 14:00 Pushing yourself to a place you haven’t been before 15:15 Competence & confidence 17:45 Never settle for mediocrity 19:00 Consonance: what is calling you? 21:45 What trajectory do you want? 23:15 Weekly family meeting 25:00 Reaching new heights 26:00 The blur of past & present 28:00 Challenging others to see the best in themselves 31:00 Marko & Joe discuss what they learned from this Limitless interview 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 & Guest host Marko Cheseto Dr. Johnny Waite, Col. Nye & Sefra Alexandra are off climbing a mountain Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2019 Spartan

Dec 11, 2019 • 3min
Mini: You can Learn Optimism (pt 1) with Dr. L
Host Dr. L says: Let’s move from 2019 into 2020 with a newly found practice of optimism! Although there might be some individuals who just seem more optimistic or positive, the truth is that we can all learn to practice optimism and weave some of the tenants into our life. One of the first ways that optimism can be more present in your life is by challenging the idea that painful things that happen in your life are permanent. If we begin to think of difficult times as temporary we are more likely to make better choices and feel more hopeful about the future. LESSONS: Optimism can be learned and if you practice certain elements of optimism routinely, you can weave a more optimistic perspective into your world. Believing that things are not permanent can help you feel more hopeful. Taking things as they come and using an internal dialogue that includes, “this is temporary”, is a helpful practice. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND DR. L: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Dr. L on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drlarapence/ CREDITS: Production Team: Heather Knox, Knox Creative; Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Host: Dr. Lara Pence Synopsis: Dr. Lara Pence © 2019 Spartan

Dec 10, 2019 • 32min
Anthony Trucks | Close the Gap Between Who you Are and Who You Want to Be
This former NFL player remembers the day his mother handed him over to foster care, he went on to play in the NFL and now uses his “Identity Shift” program to help people move away from old programming that no longer serves them so they can reach their highest potential. He tells host Col. Nye about his method and walks you through a series of defined steps: See Shift Sustain, Accept Dissect Discover, Design Develop Deploy, Drive Hive & Thrive. This is a powerful roadmap that allows you to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be! LESSONS Make success your second nature Unpack the “programming” from your past See, shift, sustain Get unstuck & see where you want to go Design, develop, deploy Learn what you do wrong to get better Take ownership Drive, hive & thrive Do the work! LINKS Anthony’s quiz www.sloworgo.co More about Anthony https://www.anthonytrucks.com Identity Shift https://www.anthonytrucks.com/identity-shift/ The Spartan World Media Fest was made possible by ATP Science TIME STAMPS 0:00 Johnny & Joe introduce this event - resetting what you think “tough” is 1:22 Recorded at Spartan World Media Fest by ATP Science 2:40 Col. Nye’s interview begins with Tony’s origin story- growing up in foster care & football 3:35 Starting in the NFL & opening a gym 4:30 Overcoming hard times & helping people navigate shifts 5:25 Identity shifts & making success your second nature 7:30 Psychology, neuroscience & brain plasticity 7:45 See, shift & sustain 8:15 Roots & fruits: getting unstuck & where you want to go 9:20 Education in kinesiology 10:30 Design, develop, deploy 11:45 The reality of the debrief 13:15 Tough love vs. real love 14:00 Learning to be better is learning what you did wrong 15:40 Taking ownership 16:45 Thoughts actions & beliefs 17:15 Success as a natural flow 18:05 Drive, hive & thrive 19:10 Rising to the expectations of our peer groups & helping others 21:45 A partner a barometer of self worth 24:00 Being the best version of yourself 25:35 Slow or go identities 25:55 Johnny & Joe give their feedback on this interview 31:15 Do the work ! 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, Dr. Johnny Waite & Col. Nye Sefra Alexandra was off foraging in the mountains of Tahoe Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2019 Spartan

Dec 5, 2019 • 6min
Mini: End Indecisiveness / Spartan WAY with Zach Even-Esh and Col Nye
Host Zach Even-Esh and his guest Col. Tim Nye talk about tactics to end indecisiveness. It can stress you out and often cause you to miss out on amazing opportunities. Here’s how to avoid missing out and start taking control of your life. LESSONS: Always be open to new opportunities. Avoid “Getting comfortable in your cage”. Action Always. Advance & Conquer. Moving forward is the key to your success. Staying in 1 place is stagnation. Avoid stagnation at all times! Most barriers are mental! Surround yourself with other action takers. Evaluate and assess your life. Where are you settling? Attack those areas where you are settling! Take the next step to move forward! LINKS: More about Zach https://zacheven-esh.com Read “The Spartan Way” https://www.spartan.com/en/race/learn-more/race-types-overview?article=the-spartan-way-book SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP & Zach: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Follow Zach on Instagram https://instagram.com/zevenesh Follow Zach on Twitter https://twitter.com/zevenesh Zach’s STRONG Life Podcast https://apple.co/2vFaCv1 CREDITS: Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Host & Show Notes: Zach Even - Esh © 2019 Spartan

Dec 4, 2019 • 5min
Mini: Dr. L's Spartan Tips for the Holidays / MIND 067
Holidays are officially here! And with all the glitter, shimmer, and swanky bows comes stress, anxiety, and sometimes even a case of the holiday blues. So planning ahead for these emotional waves can put you in a position to better handle what’s ahead. There are a few key things to remember as we move into the holidays. Setting boundaries, keeping your priorities in line, and maintaining a routine are just a few ways that you can create a structure and sense of safety during the season. And start now so that you can practice these things as the intensity of the season revs up! LESSONS: The holidays can be a source of stress for many people, so don’t be surprised if certain painful feelings arise.. Setting firm boundaries with individuals (and yourself) is a good way to maintain a sense of safety and calm. Keep your priorities straight. Make sure the energy that you have is invested where you want it to be. Maintain a routine. Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you throw your routine out the window. Stick with the routine you’ve got in place in order to create certainty and predictability. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND DR. L: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Dr. L on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drlarapence/ CREDITS: Production Team: Heather Knox, Knox Creative; Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Host: Dr. Lara Pence Synopsis: Dr. Lara Pence © 2019 Spartan

Dec 3, 2019 • 38min
Brian Johnson tells Joe De Sena how leaders can Serve Profoundly
The founder of Optimize sits down with the founder of Spartan for a power-packed conversation on participating in excellence, actualizing your potential and being a hero! How can you “Optimize” your life to be your absolute best? What can we learn from ancient Greek philosophers? And what do the roots of words teach us? Brian Johnson scours the greatest books to bring you the core concepts through his digital ecosystems, on how to reach your highest potential. Grab a pen Spartans, because this philosopher has much noteworthy wisdom to share. Spartan Up Podcast interview episode 277 LESSONS Live + participate in excellence Have emotional stamina Use your energy efficiently Have a clear target + do what needs to get done Pain can be a source of joy Be willing to fail OMMS: Obstacles make me (you) stronger Be a hero- be a protector Live for something bigger than yourself Serve profoundly Actualize your potential Be a warrior of the mind Live with virtue in service to the world! LINKS https://www.optimize.me This episode is brought to you by www.TRUEFORMRUNNER.com TIME STAMPS 00:00 Joe & Johnny introduce this week's guest 1:30 TRUEFORMRUNNER.COM break 1:55 Interview begins with Joe’s “old buddy” 4:00 Thermopylae, Philosophy + ancient Greece 5:00 Hedonic happiness ? 6:00 Legacy + emotional stamina 8:00 Never compromise your values 9:00 Participate in excellence 10:45 Have a clear target 12:45 Pain as a source of joy 13:15 Being willing to fail 14:30 Efficiently using your energy 15:15 Getting out of your comfort zone 16:15 OMMS: Obstacles make me stronger 17:30 Optimize 18:15 Hero as protector 19:35 TRUEFORMRUNNER.COM Break 21:10 Interview returns with Spartan Tea 24:15 Burning the monastery 25:30 Cultivating “soul force” 26:45 Actualizing your potential 27:30 Roles + goals + the “Big Three” 29:00 Putting it into practice 30:30 Joe & Johnny do their “omms” & discuss philosophical lessons learned 37:40 TRUEFORMRUNNER.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, Dr. Johnny Waite Col. Nye & Sefra Alexandra are off Optimizing in an undisclosed location Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2019 Spartan

Nov 29, 2019 • 6min
Mini: Holiday stress? Zach and Col Nye have the solutions
Do you ever feel stressed and overwhelmed? Of course, you do! That is how MANY people feel nowadays in this world that never stops or slows down. Zach Even-Esh and COl Tim Nye share some simple solutions to your stress. LESSONS: Take a short exercise break to recalibrate your mind and body. Take a short 10-minute walk (outdoors if weather permits) for some fresh air. Write down in a journal how you’re feeling and how you want to feel to help “release” your stress on paper. What is your favorite “therapy”? Is it writing? Drawing? Yoga? Burpees? Gardening? Do what makes YOU happy! There is nothing wrong with some alone time, even if it’s just a few minutes. LINKS: More about Zach https://zacheven-esh.com Read “The Spartan Way” https://www.spartan.com/en/race/learn-more/race-types-overview?article=the-spartan-way-book SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP & Zach: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Follow Zach on Instagram https://instagram.com/zevenesh Follow Zach on Twitter https://twitter.com/zevenesh Zach’s STRONG Life Podcast https://apple.co/2vFaCv1 CREDITS: Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Host & Show Notes: Zach Even - Esh © 2019 Spartan

Nov 27, 2019 • 4min
Mini: Gratitude / Spartan MIND with Dr. L
With the holidays around the corner, Dr. L reminds us, the practice of gratitude and the importance of giving thanks becomes a part of the season. Gratitude is important because it allows us to shift into the present and observe what it is in the now that we are grateful for. Maintaining a gratitude practice helps to give us space to experience joy and to reflect on some of the more difficult experiences that also bring us wisdom. Work to weave in your own gratitude practice this season - it doesn’t need to be a 20-minute endeavor. A simple observation of what you are thankful for and how it is impacting you will suffice. LESSONS: Gratitude allows us to remain present by exercising our ability to be in the here and now. Remember that we can be thankful for the difficult experiences in our life, not just those that bring us joy. Pulling wisdom and positive impact from failures is just as important. Identify a person, place, thing, experience, and failure that you are grateful for this season. This will help you move into a gratitude practice. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND DR. L: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Dr. L on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drlarapence/ CREDITS: Production Team: Heather Knox, Knox Creative; Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Host: Dr. Lara Pence Synopsis: Dr. Lara Pence