The Hard Way With Joe De Sena

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Marc Fucarile, a survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, to hear his powerful story. Marc vividly recounts the horrific events of that day, describing the chaos and the severe injuries he sustained when the bombs exploded. Despite the trauma, he shares how the outpouring of support from the community motivated him to focus on his recovery and being a father to his young son. Marc's journey is a testament to the human spirit's resilience. He emphasizes the importance of acceptance, concentrating on what you can control, and drawing inspiration from the sacrifices and accomplishments of those around you. His story is a powerful example of transforming tragedy into purpose and using one's experiences to uplift and empower others facing similar challenges. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:30 Boston Marathon bombing incident 04:01 Surviving 100 days in the hospital 08:33 The aftermath and support system 11:50 Mental challenges after traumatic experience 17:58 Simple tips for leveling up in life 19:58 The importance of family and faith 23:39 Building the MARC Network and future goals Website: www.marcnetwork.world | www.marcfucarile.com Instagram: @marcnetworkinc | @marcfucarile

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a prominent advocate for public health reform and wellness. He passionately discusses the pressing need to restructure health and fitness initiatives in America, highlighting concerns about corporate influence on public health agencies. Drawing on his family's legacy of discipline and endurance, he emphasizes the importance of incorporating fitness back into schools. Kennedy also advocates for fostering resilience in children, encouraging parents to promote active lifestyles, and shares insights from ancient Spartan philosophy to emphasize personal growth through challenge.

In this episode, Steve Hasty, a swimming expert, joins Joe De Sena to give us a behind-the-scenes look at the world of competitive swimming. As a former elite swimmer and the owner of Swimming World Magazine, Steve really knows his stuff when it comes to this sport. Steve explains the intense training regimen of elite swimmers, noting that even high school swimmers can train up to 5 hours per day. They discuss the mental toughness and resilience required to maintain such a grueling schedule and achieve success. Drawing from his own experiences growing up with a tough swim coach, Steve offers some great advice on developing a consistent routine and mindset to overcome obstacles, whether in swimming or in life Highlights: 00:00 Intro 00:43 Demanding routine of high school swimmers 02:33 Mental resilience of swimmers 03:30 How big is the swimming community? 05:02 A narrow path to the top 06:29 The importance of body type 07:00 Michael Phelps's and his success 09:08 Lessons learned through swimming 12:05 The power of routine and discipline 15:00 The Swimming World app IG: @swimmingworldmag Youtube: /SwimmingWorldSPI LinkedIn: /company/swimming-world Website: www.swimmingworldmagazine.com

In this episode, Joe de Sena and wrestling champion Ben Askren dive into their co-authored book on "Extreme Balance," a concept emphasizing that true excellence comes from balancing hard work, mental skills, and self-care. Ben opens up about his personal journey, detailing how he shifted from relentless grinding to focusing on strategic thinking and body awareness. He highlights how balancing physical and mental aspects was key to unlocking his full potential. The discussion includes practical strategies for managing performance anxiety, recognizing when to push through pain versus when to rest, and finding the optimal balance between rigorous training and high-pressure performance. They also examine the lives of successful individuals who achieved remarkable success but struggled with personal balance, concluding that sustainable excellence demands a holistic approach. This episode provides valuable insights for elite performers aiming to elevate their game by mastering the principles of "Extreme Balance." Highlights: 00:00 Intro 00:49 The journey to balance through wrestling 08:24 How to manage performance anxiety 11:54 Balancing hard work and rest 15:30 The role of balance in elite performance 20:45 Extreme success and balance – Spartans, Musk, Jobs 23:44 The importance of family time 26:26 How to find the book and final thoughts PRE ORDER NOW: https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Balance-Paradoxical-Principles-Champion/dp/1642011770

In this episode, we follow the remarkable journey of Marco Robinson - a man who overcame a challenging upbringing marked by poverty, abuse, and adversity to become a highly successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. From his humble beginnings as a homeless, bullied youth to his meteoric rise in the world of sales and business, Marco's story is a testament to the power of resilience, self-belief, and the unwavering pursuit of one's dreams. Through his candid recollections, we learn how Marco's pivotal moment of self-belief transformed his life, leading him to unprecedented sales success and the creation of thriving enterprises. His willingness to confront personal tragedies and emotional barriers further inspires, showcasing the transformative power of facing one's fears and embracing vulnerability. Prepare to be captivated and empowered by Marco's extraordinary story of triumph over adversity. Timestamp: 00:00 Intro 00:44 Marco's background and childhood 04:02 Transition to sales and his first success 06:42 The importance of believing in yourself 07:53 Career highs and lows in Malaysia 10:10 Marriage problems, writing a book, and the first million 12:47 Flipping properties in the US and TV show 16:01 Resolving a childhood trauma 17:26 Advice to people who are stuck in life 18:23 Struggles make you stronger 19:21 Three things to do for success 20:57 Final thoughts

This episode of the Hard Way Podcast features an inspiring conversation with Nigel Thomas, an entrepreneur who shares his powerful story of overcoming a devastating personal betrayal. After hitting rock bottom and contemplating suicide, Nigel realized he needed to empower the "champion" within himself, rather than succumbing to the "victim" mindset. Through discipline, exercise, and rebuilding his support network, Nigel embarked on a remarkable journey of resilience and self-discovery. He now shares his experiences in his popular newsletter, "David to Goliath," inspiring others to believe in themselves and write their own comeback stories. Nigel's insights on the importance of purpose, community, and consistent self-improvement offer valuable lessons for anyone facing adversity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking the courage and determination to overcome life's challenges and emerge stronger than ever before. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 02:22 Nigel's background and personal story 04:41 From corporate job to successful entrepreneurship 05:40 Personal betrayal that led to a mental health crisis 08:49 Meeting yourself and taking the responsibility 10:56 Nigel's David to Goliath newsletter 12:22 Joe's invitation and the importance of finding a community 14:12 Fining purpose in helping others 16:26 Opening up but avoiding victim mentality 17:32 The importance of consistency and accountability 18:55 Where can people find Nigel?

In this raw and honest conversation with Joe De Sena, Dr. Samantha Harte shares her incredible journey from addiction and trauma to redemption and healing. Growing up in a dysfunctional family in Brooklyn, Samantha's path was riddled with substance abuse, shame, and relationship turmoil. But through the power of the 12 steps and her own unwavering resilience, she transformed her life, finding sobriety, self-love, and ultimately, a thriving marriage and business. Now, Samantha is on a mission to modernize the 12-step approach, using her personal experiences to help others overcome their own challenges and unlock their full potential. Tune in for more! Highlights: 00:00 Intro 00:45 Dr. Samantha's childhood, academic struggles, and drug addiction 08:44 Overdosing and decision to recover 13:23 Marriage and recovery challenges 16:52 Finding a sponsor and 12-step program 20:19 The beginning of her fitness business 22:23 Separation from her husband and getting back together 26:31 Miscarriages, postpartum depression, and the loss of her dad 29:13 Losing a sister to overdose and writing a book 32:38 Joe's support and future plans

Meet Greg Yocom, a real estate investor, and lifelong competitor who has defied age and odds by completing over 100 Spartan Races. Discover the unshakable mental toughness and resilience that propels this 65-year-old to push his limits, even as others his age are retiring. Dive into Greg's inspiring journey, from overcoming a devastating divorce to developing an unwavering "no excuses" mindset. Learn how he applies the lessons of Spartan Racing to achieve success in business and life and hear his thoughts on instilling the right mindset in the next generation. Don't miss this amazing conversation with Greg Yocom, the 65-year-old Spartan who refuses to quit. This episode is a must-watch for anyone seeking the secrets to becoming unstoppable, no matter your age or circumstances. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:23 Greg's background 04:11 The importance of preparation 05:29 Failing without being a failure 08:14 Retiring is quitting 11:55 What's so good about the Spartan Race? 13:36 Applying Spartan Race experience to business 15:05 How to deal with losing motivation 16:00 The use of social media 17:18 What is the first step? 19:23 Greg's struggles with high cholesterol 22:09 Installing healthy mindset in kids 24:05 How can people find Greg?

Are our freedoms under siege? In this episode, Joe De Sena is talking to an amazing guest - Connor Boyack, an author, speaker, and staunch advocate for personal freedom and education. They tackle the unsettling rise of Big Government and the danger of becoming a Nanny State. As bureaucratic regulations multiply and control tightens, we're faced with crucial questions about the erosion of personal liberty. How far will government overreach go, and what are the implications for our future? Joe and Connor talk about the growing influence of regulations in everyday life, examine the consequences of increased governmental control, and discuss strategies to protect our freedoms. Tune in for an insightful exploration of how we can safeguard our rights and ensure that personal autonomy remains intact in an increasingly regulated world. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 00:49 Connor's background and career path 02:52 Too much freedom vs too restricted laws 07:21 San Francisco's lack of prosecution for small crimes 10:38 Left-right binary and the need to find common ground 14:30 Corporations lobbying against simplification efforts 17:38 The need for decentralization of power 21:11 Using market pressure to rebalance power 23:10 Why the international community loves Trump 25:03 The importance of resilience 25:48 Degrading from freedom to a nanny state 27:51 History's cyclical patterns 29:30 How can people find Connor?

In this episode, Joe de Sena is having a powerful conversation with fitness icon Clark Bartram, who is on a mission to inspire men to embrace a life of resilience, purpose, and health. This 60-year-old "fitness anomaly" shares his philosophy on making small, daily choices that can have a profound impact on your well-being. His message is both thought-provoking and actionable, as he challenges listeners to choose the stairs over the escalator, to walk instead of calling an Uber, and to prioritize physical activity in a world that often promotes convenience over health. Since his recent prostate cancer diagnosis, Bartram is using his platform to empower men to take control of their health and live life to the fullest. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to break free from the "busy dying" mentality and embrace a mindset of living with energy, purpose, and resilience. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:22 Being anomaly on life is the goal 03:10 Get busy living or get busy dying 04:22 Living with energy and purpose 07:32 Laziness and 10,000 steps a day as a goal 10:38 Clark's motivation for his fitness journey 14:53 Why are we the way we are 17:10 The absurdity of celebrating obesity 19:45 Clark's personal challenge with prostate cancer 25:26 How can people find Clark?