

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

Mar 19, 2019 • 28min
239: Angel Sanz | Learn by Living //INTERVIEW
Angel Sanz is humble, hilarious and always smiling mastermind and Country Manager of Spartan Spain whose up each day by 3:30 am. Sport has always been an integral part of his life, from playing basketball at University of Houston to teaching physicality and obstacle racing as a perfect analogy for entrepreneurship. Sport is what drives his pedagogy in education, with how he interacts with his family, how he gets better at business, how he to made his new business and now how he makes people better by ripping them off the couch. He may or may not be wearing a dark mask in a dark van and show up at your door in the middle of the night. Lessons Be humble enough to know what we need Be generous enough to give what we need to give Be smart enough to bring the people we need to grow beyond our talent LINKS TIME STAMPS 0:00 Col. Nye, Johnny Waite, Sefra & Guest Host Mike Miller introduce this week’s episode 0:40 Interview with Angel begins 1:30 the multi-faceted uses of sport 3:00 obstacle racing is the same as entrepreneurship 4:50 the pyramid of performance 6:00 learn by living 8:00 “The Purpose Economy” 10:20 31 Habits: #12 - “Find your Five” 12:10 Interview continues: changing 100 million lives 13:00 the first follower to 16 million 16:00 Rafael Nadal : way beyond his talent 18:00 Spartan is just getting started! 21:00 Ghandi & chocolate 21:35 Sefra, Col. Nye, Johnny Waite & Guest Host Mike Miller 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, Johnny Waite,Colonel Nye, Sefra Alexandra & guest Host Mike Miller Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2019 Spartan

Mar 18, 2019 • 5min
Brilliance in the Basics // Spartan STAND 003
The complex, flashy, super sexy solution rarely survives substantial contact with any situation less than the ideal it was created for. It’s safe to say that ‘The Basics’ are just that, basic. The reasonable extension of this conversation then suggests also timeless. Let’s look at the lever, wedge, wheel… half of humankind’s inventions wouldn’t work without these simple machines. There’s a saying that goes somewhat like: “Why use an expensive whatnot when a hammer will suffice?” When faced with problems I like to reduce them to their simplest terms. Complex problems require complex solutions and complex things get increasing hard to pull off when we are tired, afraid, cold, wet, it’s dark… And even then, complex things are typically built on the foundation of the basics. So it stands to reason we should be absolutely brilliant at the basics to even set conditions for the fancy to manifest. At a minimum, the basics can serve as a last resort. If it’s a last resort you should have the greatest of confidence it will work! I’m assuming of course you are interested in results and not just the appearance of cool. LESSONS: Reduce everything to simple terms and then solve for simple. Uncontrollables have the greatest control over ultimate success of the complex. Be impressed with how well/precise, a master applies the basics. It’s called elegance. Spend time tackling the complex so that the basics have greater meaning. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND Tosh: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Tosh on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tosh.crookedbutterfly/ CREDITS: Producer: Marion Abrams, Madmotion,llc. Host: Brian “tosh” Chontosh Show notes: Brian “tosh” Chontosh © 2019 Spartan

Mar 17, 2019 • 4min
Heart Rate Variability and Survival // SPARTAN HEALTH 018
When things run well, we often assume, they run regularly. From the pistons in a car to the daily changes in the tide, we often expect that processes run optimally when they progress or move forward in the same or a uniform way. Or if they change, the change is gradual and moves slowly from phase to phase – like the seasons or the way the sun rises and sets. One important body function is an exception! WHAT WE TALK ABOUT: While it may seem crazy at first, it turns out that all this variability … is good! Heart rate variability (HRV) is a strong indicator of health – of good mental and physical health as well as the potential or resiliency of the body to survive problems, stressors, and illness. It’s a big topic but today I want to introduce the concept and make you aware of what it is and how it can help you both short and long-term. Your heartbeat is controlled by your body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS). This system runs and regulates parts of your system that are always “on.” Things like your breathing, digestion, blood pressure and heart rate. The autonomic nervous system itself is divided into two main aspects: the fight or flight response or the relaxation response. When the autonomic system is relaxed, the heartbeat becomes more variable, demonstrating resilience and flexibility. In contrast, the “fight-or-flight” version of the autonomic system is triggered by stress (caused by an unhealthy emotional or physical conditions). If this stress response of the autonomic system is maintained, heart beat variability decreases as it moves to a more consistent high pitch. This racing heart beat is a symptom of high stress and is also an indicator that the body is being pushed towards an unhealthy and brittle state. It makes sense, then, that healthy heart rate variability would be an indicator of a person’s ability to bounce back from severe illness – and indicator of that person’s resilience. And, indeed, it is. One recent study showed that subjects suffering from cancer who had decreased heart rate variability were strongly associated with shorter survival time. This great indicator of overall health is surprisingly easy to access and read by being in tune with your body. It’s essentially your pulse. As you’re feeling your pulse, you’ll notice that time between heartbeats increases when you exhale and decreases when you inhale. If there are some good differences between the two, congratulations: you may have healthy heart rate variability! KEY TERMS & IDEAS A large range of heart rate variability is a sign of health and resilience. The resilience pertains to both mental health and physical health, especially the potential to survive bouts of severe illness. Heart rate variability: the variation in the time interval between heartbeats. Autonomic nervous system: This system runs and regulates functions in your body that are always “on” and work without conscious control. This includes your breathing, digestion, blood pressure and heart rate Sympathetic nervous system: part of the autonomic nervous system that activates the “fight or flight” response. Parasympathetic nervous system: part of the autonomic nervous system that helps to slow heart rate, relax the sphincter muscles and increase intestinal and glandular activity. LINKS & RESOURCES: Follow Dr. Nada on: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/nada-milo... Sage Tonic www.sagetonic.com Sage Tonic on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sagetonic/ Ying Guo, et al., "Prognostic value of heart rate variability in patients with cancer," Journal of clinical neurophysiology: official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society 32.6 (2015): 516, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4668946/, accessed January 2019. Angela J. Grippo, "Opinion:“Heart Rate Variability, Health and Well-Being: A Systems Perspective” Research Topic," Frontiers in public health 5 (2017): 246, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00246/full, accessed January 2019. Oura Crew, “What Is Heart Rate Variability and What You Can Learn from It,” Oura, September 14, 2019, https://ouraring.com/heart-rate-variability-basics/, accessed January 2019. Marcelo Campos, “Heat rate variability: A new way to track well-being,” Harvard Medical School Publishing, November 22, 2017, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/heart-rate-variability-new-way-track-well-2017112212789, accessed January 2019. 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. Writer and Host: Nada Milosavljevic MD, JD © 2019 Spartan

Mar 15, 2019 • 4min
Robert Killian the aspects of being a pro athlete // Spartan ATHLETE 009
This week Kevin talks with 2015 Spartan Race World Champion, and all around prolific badass multisports racer Robert Killian, about what it takes to be and stay on top of such a demanding sport like OCR. LESSONS: Being prepared puts you in the best possible situation & can reduce pressure Motivating others can motivate you to be better The importance of sleep, mobility and nutrition Grit, determination can carry you through, not biceps SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND KEVIN G Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Kevin Gillotti on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kevingillotti/ Kevin Gillotti on The Web www.kevingillotti.com CREDITS: Host: Kevin Gillotti Show Notes & Artwork: Kevin Gillotti Producer: Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Videography: Madison McGahan, Mike Isabell, Alberto Campos Editing: Heather Knox © 2019 Spartan

Mar 14, 2019 • 3min
Pay The Man // SPARTAN WAY 031
Inspired by former Navy SEAL & 1 of the world’s best CrossFit competitors, Josh Bridges. Josh constantly talks about #PayTheMan - meaning, you gotta earn it! If you want something, you gotta EARN it. You don’t deserve anything. You get what you Earn! LESSONS: Most successful people will tell you that the majority of their victories and success stories are on the other side of hard work, aka Paying the Man. You can #PayTheMan and apply this lesson to any area of your life. Set small goals that you MUST accomplish that earns you the right to do something. 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

Mar 13, 2019 • 3min
Future Tripping // SPARTAN MIND 031
The future can be scary for some of us. It’s normal to be uncomfortable with the unknown and uncertain. But future tripping, the act of making your way into the future and tripping over what exists, is not an effective way of handling your worries. This kind of thinking can easily create more worry and concern for what lays ahead. Though it may be hard, working to stay in the present and remain focused on the task right in front of you is a better way of handling what you may be anxious about. LESSONS: Future Tripping: When you place yourself in the future and trip over, or imagine yourself failing, before you have even begun. Work to remain present through deep breathing and focus on the next best thing that you can implement to move your forward. Remember, the future is out of your control but your present state is very much available to you. 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

Mar 12, 2019 • 28min
238: Chris Herren | The Truth About Addiction // INTERVIEW
A former Celtics NBA player, Chris Herren speaks honestly and openly about his addictions and his path to recovery. Whether dealing with addiction, or the day to day problems of life, Herren advocates doing things the hard way. He believes kids need to learn to deal head-on with the real and difficult emotions life can bring, this will reduce the temptation to mask and avoid them with drugs and alcohol. Just like physical and mental resilience - emotional resilience is a key building block for success. Overcoming addiction has been his greatest obstacle. His sobriety, his greatest accomplishment. His dedication to helping others led him to found the Herren Project: to Support. Recover. Overcome. Sometimes the hard thing is asking for help. This episode reminds us to reach out for help when we need it, because extraordinary resources are available. LESSONS Ask why, rather than who or how, when it comes to substance use and abuse. Celebrate the kids who are doing it right, their voices should be heard. Learn emotional resilience. Recovery is a lifestyle, it’s a culture and way to live . LINKS https://herrenproject.org https://herrentalks.com/ This episode of Spartan Up! Is brought to you by Powerful Foods. Fuel your active lifestyle with high-protein, no sugar added products, made with natural ingredients. Visit Shop.Spartan.com/Powerful for a 10% OFF any Powerful product, with code SPARTANPOWER. TIME STAMPS 0:00 Colonel Nye, Dr. Johnny & Dr. L introduce this weeks interview 1:40 Interview begins 3:45 how addiction starts 6:00 how can we prevent addiction? 8:30 giving kids a platform to express how they feel 8:40 31 Habits: Swapping Grains for Greens 10:45 Powerful Foods Break 12:45 Interview continues - playing basketball with an addiction 15:45 the greatest accomplishment of his life 19:00 Col. Nye, Dr. Johnny & Dr. L discuss how you can integrate lessons learned from Christopher’s journey in recovery to your everyday life 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, Johnny Waite,Colonel Nye & guest host Dr. L (Sefra Alexandra was on expedition in the South Pacific) Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2019 Spartan

Mar 11, 2019 • 10min
You Don’t Need Permission // Spartan STAND
I often find myself giving other’s opinions, especially a stranger’s, more value over what I find valuable or purposeful. In this episode I introduce and toss around a few thought processes that help me defeat falling into that trap. Who has authority over how we feel? Who lends the ultimate approval on what it is that fills us with purpose or value? Is it your ‘why’ or is it someone else’s ‘why’ that gives us energy and direction? If it isn’t each of us ourself, then why are we always looking for the thumbs up from other’s to be our authentic selves and hesitate to be when we receive a frown; especially from a stranger? Being conscious and aware when someone else is making you feel guilty for doing right, being good, or enjoying what moves you will empower you to refuse being a victim or held captive by a weaker person. LESSONS: YOU are responsible, YOU have the authority to approve of Yourself. Know what is right, know what is wrong - Do right, don’t do wrong; you don’t need. approval or permission for this. Be aware when others try to take undue priority over you. Always: common decency, respect - courteous & kind. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND Tosh: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Tosh on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tosh.crookedbutterfly/ CREDITS: Producer: Marion Abrams, Madmotion,llc. Host: Brian “tosh” Chontosh Show notes: Brian “tosh” Chontosh © 2019 Spartan

Mar 10, 2019 • 4min
Intermittent Fasting and Longevity // SPARTAN HEALTH 017
The link between intermittent fasting and good health has been noticed for a while. Intermittent fasting means going about 8 to 12 hours without food but in some cases a bit longer. And recent studies have begun to make clear the connection between fasting and longevity, a finding that is creating a lot of buzz. What we talk about: There are some obvious reasons that connect fasting to good health. The most obvious is weight loss. But there are many others: Increasing your metabolism. While it’s true that long-term fasting can decrease your metabolism, short-term fasting has the opposite effect – perhaps up to 14 percent. It promotes brain health by supporting an increase in the growth of neurons and enhancing memory performance. Know when you’re really hungry. Going without food often provokes a desire to eat that that is more psychological than physical. Fasting 8-12 hours helps people distinguish between real hunger pangs and food cravings. Now, here are some less obvious and but equally important reasons that connect fasting to longevity: Recent academic studies have people buzzing about the health benefits of occasional fasting. As we age, our cell’s ability to process energy decreases. This can lead to aging and diseases associated with aging. A recent academic study has pointed to the reason behind this phenomenon: mitochondria’s role in breaking down fat and modulating fat metabolism (which is important in keeping cells healthy). Mitochondria (which are powerhouse structures in your cells involved in releasing energy) help to break down fatty acids and carbohydrates. They work in networks that remain fused in a healthy state (in contrast to an unhealthy, “fragmented” state). This fused state of mitochondria networks are in a “youthful” state, which maximizes their efficiency. What can help to keep these networks running well? You guessed it. Fasting! The good news is that effective fasting doesn’t involve long periods of difficulty and self-denial. It might cause a little discomfort as you’re adjusting to a new schedule of eating, but as we know, changes in habits often require some adjustments. And this isn’t an every-day regimen. And anything worth striving for requires a little struggle and a little effort. The only things this kind of fasting requires is to not eat for a little while (and to resist your cravings while you do this). The benefits of this effort will surprise you. KEY TERMS & IDEAS Intermittent fasting leading to increasing metabolic rates as well as improving metabolic processes that can mitigate the normal effects of aging. Intermittent fasting means going 8 to 12 hours without food. Mitochondria are the “parts of cells that turn sugars, fats and proteins that we eat, into forms of chemical energy that the body can use to carry on living.” LINKS & RESOURCES: Follow Dr. Nada on: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/nada-milo... Sage Tonic www.sagetonic.com Sage Tonic on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sagetonic/ Christian Zauner et al., "Resting energy expenditure in short-term starvation is increased as a result of an increase in serum norepinephrine," The American journal of clinical nutrition 71.6 (2000): 1511-1515. Henriette Van Praag, et al., "Exercise, energy intake, glucose homeostasis, and the brain," Journal of Neuroscience 34.46 (2014): 15139-15149. Karen Feldscher, “In pursuit if healthy aging” Harvard Gazette, November 3, 2017, https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/11/intermittent-fasting-may-be-center-of-increasing-lifespan/, accessed January 2019. “What are Mitochondria,” Medical Research Council, http://www.mrc-mbu.cam.ac.uk/, accessed January 2019. 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. Writer and Host: Nada Milosavljevic MD, JD © 2019 Spartan

Mar 8, 2019 • 4min
Kevin Donahue staying injury free // SPARTAN ATHLETE 008
Kevin Gillotti talks with 40+ masters athlete, SGX coach, commentator & hella legit OCR racer Kevin Donahue about staying injury free over a long & demanding Spartan Race season and career. TAKE AWAY POINTS: Genetics plays a role, tap into that knowledge of self Using your lower body to your advantage, even on overhead head obstacles Take some risks & try new techniques Don't eat candy, it’s bad for you SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND KEVIN G Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Kevin Gillotti on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kevingillotti/ Kevin Gillotti on The Web www.kevingillotti.com CREDITS: Host: Kevin Gillotti Show Notes & Artwork: Kevin Gillotti Producer: Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Videography: Madison McGahan, Mike Isabell, Alberto Campos Editing: Heather Knox © 2019 Spartan