The Hard Way With Joe De Sena

Just move! That's the bottom line for these three members of Oscar Mike and Operation Enduring Warrior, both organizations designed to get wounded veterans on the move! "Oscar Mike" means "on the move" in military parlance. These three adaptive Spartans, Jonathan Lopez, Noah Currier, and Earl Granville, have sought out the race as a way of eradicating any perception that they are victims. They are, instead, comrades in the human wide struggle to help one another excel at life. According to one of the athletes the greatest thing he witnessed during the race was not the elite athletes crushing the course or even adaptive athletes and veterans doing the improbable; it was seeing someone fall down face first and be picked up by his teammates, showing that Spartans fall, bleed and find the strength to go on, "just like us." Lessons: 1. Seek out the obstacle, the struggle, for the valuable lessons it can teach you. 2. More or less visibly, we're all adapting to and trying to overcome something. 3. Accomplishment and happiness can be dependent on finding a strong community. Links: Oscar Mike https://www.oscarmike.org/ Operation Enduring Warrior OEW https://www.enduringwarrior.org/ This episode is brought to you by FOUR SIGMATIC. Join the mushroom coffee revolution and save 15% using promo code SPARTAN https://foursigmatic.com/spartan 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 with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, and Col. Tim Nye. Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2018 Spartan

From house arrest to the NFL pro bowl in seven years, retired 49er Brian Jennings transformed his life in dramatic fashion. Then, after thirteen years of football success, like all star athletes, he was forced to start over again. As Jenning describes, "athletes are the only people that die twice." With a podcast, as an inspirational speaker, and through his work with veterans he has proved himself more than equal to the challenge. What, for Jennings, were the keys to finding his true north not once but twice? Listen, watch and learn. Lessons: 1. To become irreplaceable, not only do you need to handle your business, you need to help the people around you. 2. Harness the "screw it" moment in your life, when you've realized your worst fear that in turn liberates you to "go for it." 3. The transitions in your life are times to take stock of the wisdom and skills - decide what to take with you and what to leave behind. Links: The Brian Jennings Experience Podcast http://mindwellmed.com/the-brian-jennings-experience-podcast/ SUBSCRIBE: iTunes: 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 with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, and Col. Tim Nye. Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2018 Spartan

Manufacturing socks in a small town in Vermont, especially in the 80s and 90s when most companies were sending this work offshore, is hardly your standard business plan. Still, as of 2016, Darn Tough Socks was a 40 million dollar business. The name "Darn Tough" is a brilliant pun. The socks, like the CEO, are resilient (carrying a lifetime guaranty,) and relentlessly and thoroughly vetted and improved to strengthen them further. When asked for business advice Ric's was simple "never, ever, give up." What he's found is that the hard way turned out to be the best way. Lessons: 1.When things seem impossible, sometimes the answer is to double down on your strengths. 2.There is no such thing as negative feedback; it's all valuable information that can steer you towards improvement. 3.Doing things the hard way can reap its own rewards. 4.Success is holistic - making the extra effort to support the community pays back in loyalty, quality and branding. Links: Darn Tough Socks https://darntough.com Darn Tough Story https://darntough.com/pages/made-in-usa Darn Tough Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DarnToughVermont/ Darn Tough Instagram https://www.instagram.com/darntoughvermont/ This episode is brought to you by Four Sigmatic. Join the mushroom coffee revolution and save 15% using promo code SPARTAN https://us.foursigmatic.com/?discount=spartan# SUBSCRIBE: iTunes: 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 with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, and Col. Tim Nye. Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2018 Spartan

Why do you work out? Why don't you? How do you think about how much you eat? Mind Pump podcast host Sal Di Stefano challenges a lot of hardened conventions in the fitness world. He discovered the route he took to health as an insecure teenager was leading to disaster, but fortunately he had an epiphany when he reached adulthood that lead to paradigm shifts he describes in this episode. Lessons: 1. Don't exercise and eat based on hatred of your body; exercise and eat to love your body. 2. Meet your body and mind where they're at and move forward from there. 3. Make new connections to the healthy (and unhealthy) things you do. Links: Mind Pump Media https://www.mindpumpmedia.com Mind Pump Facebook https://m.facebook.com/mindpump/ Mind Pump Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mindpumpmedia/ Sal's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mindpumpsal/ SUBSCRIBE: iTunes: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay http://spartan.com/180 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 with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, and Col. Tim Nye. Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2018 Spartan

Katrin Davidsdottir, two-time CrossFit world champion Icelandic born, is happiest when she is working. She loves work - whether making progress or failing then moving forward again. How has she achieved so much so young? The attitude and the mindset that nurtured throughout her life. Kristin's secret may be that she has no secret at all. Her methods are straightforward and that they work so well is surely due to her indomitable consistency and drive. Lessons: 1. Extreme success requires extreme sacrifice. 2. Hard work brings joy and reward. 3. Use your abilities and talents to build something that goes beyond your ego. Links: Katrín Davíðsdóttir on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katrindavidsdottir/ Katrín Davíðsdóttir on Twitter https://twitter.com/katrintanja Katrín Davíðsdóttir on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katrintanja/ SUBSCRIBE: iTunes: 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 with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, and Col. Tim Nye. Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2018 Spartan

Have you seen the iconic photos of Iceland's Blue Lagoon? On the way back from the Spartan Ultra World Championship we found Grimur Saemundsen, the doctor, and entrepreneur who founded the Icelandic spa visited by more than half of the country's tourists. Use his exceptional business success story as a parable to guide your own success. The indigo tint of the water comes from naturally therapeutic substances including silica and blue-green algae. Saemundsen worked with existing strengths in his environment, the natural volcanic springs and rugged landscape, to create something new. Even as the spa grows the new architecture follows the natural landscape. Do that yourself by identifying and adapting to the strengths in yourself and your environment. Make them work for you. Iceland took what many might see as negative, the attention a volcano brought to them by stopping air travel worldwide and made it a positive. The used the attention to springboard for their tourism campaigns. Is it something in the water? We're willing to check for you ... Lessons: 1. To build success use and emphasize existing strengths - in this case adapting to the local ecology and environment. 2. Create a passion around what you're doing and others on your team will follow suit. 3. To succeed you ned three keys: vision, endurance, and to remain open to outside opinion. Link: Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa http://www.bluelagoon.com/ SUBSCRIBE: iTunes: 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 with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, and Col. Tim Nye. Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2018 Spartan

What would you pay for a 10x improvement to everything in your life? One small change to improve your health, your relationships, your career. Ruari Fairbarns has found that ONE simple thing, and now he's sharing it with us!What would you pay for a 10x improvement to everything in your life? One small change to improve your health, your relationships, your career. Ruari Fairbarns has found that ONE simple thing, and now he's sharing it with us!Is it dropping sugar? Burpees? Quitting carbs? Daily cold showers? Fasting? According to Fairbairns, creator "The Ultimate Social Challenge," it's one simple thing: dropping alcohol. He used his own abstention as a case study and experienced dramatic improvements in every aspect of his life, including his career, family, friends as well as his mental and physical health. But, how, exactly, do you drop a habit that is so deeply conditioned? Fairbairns shares concrete tips and tricks to try the challenge for 30 days, 90 days, a year or a lifetime. Want proof? We interviewed his wife Jennifer too! Lessons: 1. If the results of abstaining from alcohol were sold as a pill, it would be a billion dollar business. 2. You're not giving up anything if you are, in fact, replacing it with something better. 3. Bad habits don't need telling off; they need replacing. LINKS:One Year No Beer www.oneyearnobeer.com One Year No Beer on Facebook facebook.com/oneyearnobeerOne year No Beer on Twitter https://twitter.com/oynbuk SUBSCRIBE: iTunes: 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 with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye. with special guest host Jennifer Fairbairns Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2018 Spartan

Has fear been a problem in your life? Do you use terms like "overcome" or "suppress" in your relationship with fear? pioneering extreme skier Kristen Ulmer talks with guest host Amelia Boon about learning to love fear. They teach you a new way to relate to your own fear. Embrace it. If you want to live a full life of creativity, vitality, adventure, and success, it's what you must do. Most people don't and fear manifests itself in the forms of anxiety, anger, boredom, and mental exhaustion. What can we do to transcend this suffering and live rich lives? Ulmer achieved great successes but equally potent anguish repressing her fear until she found a better way. Learn her methods in this life-changing, podcast of the new year.Has fear been a problem in your life? Do you use terms like "overcome" or "suppress" in your relationship with fear? pioneering extreme skier Kristen Ulmer talks with guest host Amelia Boon about learning to love fear. They teach you a new way to relate to your own fear. Embrace it. If you want to live a full life of creativity, vitality, adventure and success, it's what you must do. Most people don't and fear manifests itself in the forms of anxiety, anger, boredom, and mental exhaustion. What can we do to transcend this suffering and live rich lives? Ulmer achieved great successes but equally potent anguish repressing her fear until she found a better way. Learn her methods in this life-changing, podcast of the new year. Lessons: 1. Suffering equals discomfort times resistance. 2. Feel your fearfully without trying to get rid of it. 3. Your relationship with fear is the most important relationship of your life because it's the relationship you have with yourself at your core. Links: Kristen Ulmer www.kristenulmer.com Kristen on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ulmer.kristen/ Kristen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kristen.ulmer/ "The Art of Fear" http://a.co/0lN5ds9 SUBSCRIBE: iTunes: 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 with guest host this week Amelia Boone. Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye. Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan

There are no valid excuses for staying on the couch, all 52 Spartan Up guests of 2017 agree. The panel is on site in Iceland for the Spartan Ultra & Agoge 007 on the cusp of winter solstice, in the midst of a brutal storm, and in imminent peril from an active volcano. In other words, the perfect race scenario and an ideal backdrop for the theme of this week's episode: no excuses. Which 2017 podcast stories epitomize this the best and why? How can you eliminate excuses for 2018 and beyond? Listen; watch; find out, then get moving. Lessons: 1. It's better to fail on the stage than on the couch. 2. "Sneakers on, " I.e., prime bigger actions through smaller ones that are easier to take each and every day. 3. If you're serious about meeting your goals, you can't say yes to everything. 4. Pain is inevitable, so instead of trying to avoid it, harness it in service of a better life. 5. As Robert Fulghum said, "... I may give my life meaning by throwing myself recklessly into it daily, as if something astonishing is happening and I am part of it. It is and I am." Links: Spartan Agoge - https://www.spartan.com/en/race/endurance-events/endurance-events-overview?article=29031 Sneakers On https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/139-mordechai-wiener-the-simple-steps-that-changed-his-life/id952870930?i=1000384505740&mt=2 Not To Do List https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/140-dean-graziosi-the-not-to-do-list/id952870930?i=1000384753987&mt=2 Better to Fail on the Stage than the Couch https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/134-robert-herbst-powerlifting-champion-irrevocable/id952870930?i=1000382599754&mt=2 Rose Wetzel https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/163-we-interviewed-athlete-rose-wetzel-while-giving-birth/id952870930?i=1000393013328&mt=2 Pain is Inevitable, don't let that stop you https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/162-sean-stephenson-has-discovered-simple-ways-to-overcome/id952870930?i=1000392719709&mt=2 This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by Health IQ. Health IQ is an insurance company that helps obstacle racers like you get lower rates on your life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/spartanup to see if you qualify. SUBSCRIBE: iTunes: 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 with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, & Dr. Delle with gust Mike I Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan

What is the secret to longevity? For many athletes, their sports tenure ends, through injury or burnout, earlier than they hope. Through decades Mark Sisson participated in hundreds of endurance challenges including ultras and Ironmans. What helped him avoid that fate? What compelled him to switch from these grueling tests to sports like stand up paddling and ultimate frisbee? Known for his paleo nutrition blog Mark's Daily Apple, and books "Primal Blueprint" and "Primal Endurance" Sisson will explain his fitness reset and list the ingredients in what may be the world's healthiest mayonnaise. Lessons: 1. A healthy lifestyle can make life more fun. 2. The older you get, the more that attitude plays a key part in living a good life. 3. Invest in yourself by doing the things that will pay off down the line. Links: Mark's Daily Apple https://www.marksdailyapple.com Primal Blueprint https://www.primalblueprint.com Primal Kitchen www.primalkitchen.com This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by Health IQ. Health IQ is an insurance company that helps obstacle racers like you get lower rates on your life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/spartanup to see if you qualify. SUBSCRIBE: iTunes: 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 with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, & Dr. Delle Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan