
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

Apr 30, 2024 • 18min
Lessons on Continuous Learning and Pushing Yourself with Peter Frintzilas
CEO of TeamSnap, Pete Frintzilas, shares insights on instilling work ethic, facing challenges, and seeking mentorship. They discuss the importance of continuous learning, gratitude, and starting a business early. Tune in for actionable advice on accelerating success from scratch.

Apr 23, 2024 • 29min
The Sales Engineer: Victor Antonio's Winning Strategies
Victor Antonio knows what it's like to struggle. Growing up in poverty-stricken Chicago housing projects, he faced an uphill battle. But through grit and determination, he climbed his way to the top. In this fascinating episode, Victor pulls back the curtain on his amazing success story. From food stamps as a child to writing bestsellers, he shares the pivotal moments that changed his trajectory. Learn Victor's unorthodox tactics for understanding customers on a deeper level. Discover how he trains sales teams to minimize objections and build lasting relationships. You'll be inspired by the man who turned adversity into advantage through education, hard work, and never giving up. Highlights: 01:01 Victor Antonio’s childhood and family 03:45 Family dynamics and education 06:28 Culture shock of going to college 08:35 Fundamental attribution error and personal growth 13:31 The value of an engineering degree 16:01 Leaving his job and writing a book 18:53 Sales Ex Machina book and understanding AI 22:38 Data is the new oil 24:06 Sales engineer: Pre-internet and post-internet sales 27:23 The latest book Relationship Selling 28:36 Life or Debt reality show

Apr 16, 2024 • 23min
Building Reebok: Finding the Right Space at the Right Time | Joe Foster
In this episode of The Hard Way podcast, Joe De Sena interviews Paul Foster, the founder of the iconic fitness brand Reebok. Tune in as Foster recounts growing up in a family shoe business plagued by infighting, and his risky decision to break out on his own with his brother. Listen how this small startup found its big break by pivoting to capitalize on the aerobics craze just starting to sweep the nation. Foster shares the story of how resilience, innovation, and an openness to new opportunities allowed Reebok to outmaneuver giants and become the #1 brand in women's fitness worldwide. De Sena and Foster also discuss invaluable lessons around turning obstacles into opportunities and how perseverance can pay off big for entrepreneurs willing to work hard and think outside the box. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 00:49 How did Reebok start? 04:16 Selling Reebok and going into aerobics 06:24 Surviving and thriving in business 08:07 Working with family members 09:23 Why do most companies fail? 10:43 The role of luck in success 11:28 The importance of sports 12:55 Writing a book - Shoemaker 15:42 How can people find Joe? 16:08 Preparing the second book 17:53 Just keep going

Apr 9, 2024 • 26min
Joe De Sena and Shawn Nelson Debate: Do we really need a couch?
The Lovesac founder Shawn Nelson started with a silly college project - giant beanbags. Now he leads the top-selling couch brand in America. How did he go from dorm room side hustle to building a business worth billions? Tune in as Shawn shares his wild journey of overcoming failures, bankruptcy and naysayers. Plus, hear Shawn and Joe discussing the couch controversy and finding common ground in their philosophies of pushing limits. Get practical tips on developing grit, balancing work and rest, and achieving your potential through consistent effort and facing fears. This inspiring conversation provides valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, parents, and anyone striving to maximize success while maintaining well-being. Don't miss Shawn Nelson's intriguing rise from beanbags to billions. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 00:49 Overnight success story of Lovesac 02:24 Furniture that evolves with you 04:01 Do we really need a couch? 06:36 Rewiring your brain to be active 11:11 Pushing your kids until it works 17:00 Opening dopamine pathways 20:34 Spartan race Massachusetts 21:05 Finding your own thing 24:50 Where can people find Shawn

Apr 2, 2024 • 24min
Overcoming Obstacles Together: Tools for Elite Performers' Marriages | Amy Wine
When does pursuing your goals mean neglecting your relationships? For high-performing couples, maintaining intimacy may become hard and require intentionality. In this episode, Amy Wine shares her strategies for helping elite athletes, entrepreneurs and busy professionals prioritize connection - even when life gets hectic. Learn a system for designing communication around each partner's unique rhythms and needs. Learn about the "married roommate" trap and how to overcome it. Discover Amy's techniques for educating spouses on the elite mindset and scheduling meaningful moments together. Whether you're training for the Olympics or building an empire, get Amy's advice for keeping romance alive while chasing your dreams. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:04 Who is Amy Wine? 01:40 Troubles with relationships 03:57 Married roommates stage 07:31 High-class problems 09:21 Being there for your spouse 11:23 The mindset of wanting the change 15:46 Finding the joy 18:08 We don’t own stuff, it owns us 20:41 How can people find Amy?

Mar 26, 2024 • 20min
Why Most People Don't Succeed (And How to Beat the Odds) | Dre Baldwin
While most would have quit after repeatedly getting cut from teams, Dre Baldwin refused to give up on his basketball dreams. This episode shares his incredible journey from benchwarmer to going pro, despite the countless setbacks along the way. You'll learn how he maintained an unstoppable motivation to improve day after day through strategies like constantly problem-solving new approaches. Dre also discusses the mindset it takes to achieve big goals, emphasizing the importance of working with others who are truly ready to put in the effort. For anyone wanting to up their game in life and business, this episode is a must-watch source of inspiration and practical advice on overcoming obstacles through grit and determination. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 00:46 Work on Your Game phrase 02:29 Why don’t people work on their game? 04:55 Staying focused and motivated 06:55 Fight against the gravity 08:45 How to motivate unmotivated people? 14:17 Joe’s invite to his event 15:18 Transformation stories 19:31 How can people find Dre

Mar 19, 2024 • 29min
Truth About Sugar, Fat, and Reversing Insulin Resistance | Robby Barbaro
Tired of conflicting advice on diabetes? This episode sets the record straight. Dr. Robbie Barbero, who reversed his own Type 1 diabetes with a plant-based diet, unpacks the science on what really causes insulin resistance.ro You'll be shocked to learn it's NOT sugar as you've been told. Dr. Barbero reveals new research proving dietary fat - not sugar - is the true culprit behind the diabetes epidemic. He'll also share his own protocol for reversing pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes through a high-carb, low-fat, plant-based approach. Don't miss this revealing look at the real factors driving the diabetes crisis and take control of your insulin levels and health. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:04 Dietary fat and sugar's role in insulin resistance 04:06 Low fat, high carbs diet for managing Type 1 diabetes 06:16 Robby’s typical daily routine – exercise and diet 10:12 Monitoring blood glucose levels 12:30 Eat more salad 15:39 Do plants want to kill us? 17:16 Healthy packaged foods and use of microwaves 20:56 The experiment with liquid sugar diet 22:12 The biggest impact is what you not eat 24:40 Find what is best for you 26:04 Joe’s story about his dad

Mar 5, 2024 • 25min
Parenting Tips for the Digital Age | Parenting Coach Andy Goldstrom
Entrepreneur Andy Goldstrom shares his transformation into a parenting coach, emphasizing the importance of understanding children's perspectives. Topics discussed include setting boundaries, managing technology use, and the impact of divorce. Strategies for building trust and managing parenting pressures in the digital age are highlighted.

Feb 27, 2024 • 23min
Finding Your Sweet Spot: Leveraging Strengths, Interests, and Values for Success | James King
Tired of being average? Want to take your game to the next level and become unstoppable? This episode will show you how to maximize your innate strengths, tap into your deepest interests, and unleash an unstoppable drive to win. Former military strategist James King shares his science-backed approach to identifying your "sweet spot" and aligning your goals in a way that ignites your full potential. Spartan CEO Joe De Sena opens up about applying these principles to build an empire and change millions of lives. Discover the secrets of the world's top performers and leave with an action plan to optimize your body and mind for total excellence. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 00:42 Who is James King? 02:45 Studying performance science at the University of Edinburg 09:26 Key goals to pursue in order to excel 12:42 Leaning into strengths or fixing the weaknesses? 15:01 How hard is it to figure out your interests? 17:41 Just start doing something 20:22 Finding your sweet spot 23:13 The University of Better For more insights into James King, be sure to explore: Social Media Handles- Instagram: @jamesaking_ LinkedIn: @acceleratingexcellence Youtube: @acceleratingexcellence Twitter: @jamesaking Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B15MT2F9?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_WC2SR2T9WSA12ZZCTFDP Spotfiy: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=be50920d345347ea Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

10 snips
Feb 20, 2024 • 25min
Marketing Mastermind: Seth Godin on Viral Growth and Community Building
Discover Seth Godin's insights on building viral movements through small, passionate communities, the power of storytelling in branding, and the keys to becoming a viral phenomenon. Learn about happiness as a choice, building brands like religions, and finding success in today's world.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.