Podcasts by Spartan Up! - A Spartan Race for the Mind!

America’s Worst Mom / Lenore Seknazy&Joe De Sena from 2022-04-19T14:13:50

Today’s kids are smarter and stronger than our culture gives them credit for. Kids need independence to learn the skills they’ll need as adults.  

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Tactics to Overcome All Obstacles / CLASSIC from 2022-04-16T08:30

Earl Granville, Noah Currier, and Jonathan Lopez of Oscar Mike and Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW), author Alex Banayan, and Bai founder Ben Weiss are today’s experts for us to overcome all the...

Don't Quit On Yourself, Brice Johnson / DEKA from 2022-04-14T12:30

Brice Johnson, Project Manager and Site Foreman at The Jericho Project, says, “Our form of spirituality is when you're doing so good, the next man is going to come up to you and ask you how you'...

Never Give Up Joe De Sena&Jericho Project's Chuck Etchison from 2022-04-12T08:30:07

Chuck Etchison founded the Jericho project after 20 years of heroin addiction and incarceration. Spartan Up host Johnny Waite was at our trail race, the Golden Gate ...

Are You Happy With Your Story? / CLASSIC from 2022-04-09T14:00

Frank Ferrante, Jeff Gomez, and JR Martinez have all had their own experiences rewriting their stories, and what they say will help you rewrite yours.

JR Martinez says, “I think th...

3 Mic Drops To Fulfill Your Destiny / DEKA from 2022-04-07T08:30

JJ Birden: “Getting better, waiting for my opportunity. And when you get the opportunity, you don't open the door, YOU RIP THE DOOR OFF THE HINGES, and you make that opportunity stay. You own th...

Should You Do Hard Things? Anna Lembke MD and Joe De Sena from 2022-04-05T11:02:06

What does the science say? Anna Lembke MD, Professor and Medical Director of Addiction Medicine at Stanford University and author of "Dopamine Nation," says yes! ...

Fix Your Metabolism with These Tips / CLASSIC from 2022-04-02T08:30

Dr. Nada, Dr. Alan Desmond, Apo Atsalakis & Alex Wisch all have great advice and tips to have a better metabolism.

Apo Atsalakis, founder of PNOE, says, “Undereating is equally bad...

Move To Fix Your Mindset / DEKA from 2022-03-31T08:30

“The good doctors are out there prescribing exercise to people suffering with depression, anxiety, stress. It's an antidepressant, and I know the other thing that it does for me is it makes me f...

Is that even food!? Max Lugavere and Joe De Sena on What You Should Eat and Why from 2022-03-29T08:30:53

What's the Perfect Diet? Max Lugavere weighs in with Joe De Sena (founder & CEO of Spartan).. Vegan, Vegetarian, carnivore?  Should you eat breakfast?  AND why does ...

Problems With Your Kids? / CLASSIC from 2022-03-26T08:30

Zach Even-Esh, Jimmy Chin, Rick Lamb, and Gabby Reece are going to help us become better parents, giving us advice and their own experiences as guidance to get our kids on the journey to greatne...

Don’t Be Such a Fxxking Cynic, Bruce Babashan pt 2 / DEKA from 2022-03-24T08:30

Bruce Babashan, former senior-level corporate executive turned professional boxing trainer, says, “And if you stay lonely and you don't reach out, at least this is the way it is for me, I become...

Joe's Report from the Ukraine Border from 2022-03-22T08:30:38

Spartans really are all over the world, and the Spartan employees in Ukraine and Slovakia, along with Spartans around the world, are getting things done. Joe De Sena...

Build a Super Team / CLASSIC from 2022-03-19T17:00

Dr. Jen Welter, Coach Kevin Ward, and Dr. Jeff Karp are the people we need to listen to for advice to build the best team of people possible in all walks of life.

Dr. Jeff Karp say...

Find Excellence Through Grit, Bruce Babashan pt 1 / DEKA from 2022-03-17T08:30

Bruce Babashan, former senior-level corporate executive turned professional boxing trainer, says, “Grit, to us, is time and pressure. Will you put in the time, will you completely devote yoursel...

Coach's Advice / Joe De Sena with De. Haley Perlus from 2022-03-15T02:40:43

She coaches Olympians and Fortune 100 Execs, what do they have in common? They all need this unique blend of advice.

• Listen

Turn Pain Into Power / CLASSIC from 2022-03-12T09:30

Amanda Sullivan, Hannah Eden, and Marko Cheseto have experiences that will drive you to find strength and power from your life’s hardest moments.

“So what do you do in this instanc...

Love of the Sport Separates the Best, Doug Lewis pt 2 / DEKA from 2022-03-10T09:30

Doug Lewis, Olympian and former World Cup alpine ski racer, says, “...And they were powder skiing. Like, I had powder skis, but they were poder skiing on race skis, which is a nightmare, on thei...

How Stubborn Do You Have to Be to Win? Joe De Sena&Alex Kopacz from 2022-03-08T09:34:16

Alexander Kopacz won Olympic gold in the two-man bobsled in 2018. Was it grit, determination, stubbornness, or an inability to face losing? He joins Spartan Race fou...

Build Consistent Habits / CLASSIC from 2022-03-05T09:30

Tom Bilyeu, Ray Ushikubo, and Brian Chontosh are here to tell us how we can build on being consistent.

“What if I broadened our idea of what consistency was, to include taking adva...

How to Think Like an Olympian, Doug Lewis Pt 1 / DEKA from 2022-03-03T12:45:22

Doug Lewis, Olympian and former World Cup alpine ski racer, says, “If I could stand in the starting gate, 3,000 vertical feet above that finish, knowing that I am going to risk my life. But, if ...

When can you complain? NEVER! says tough as nails Russian grandmother from 2022-03-01T09:30:27

Dina Kaytser, "Babushka," survived the holocaust by a twist of fate.  Her family was sent to Stalin's camps in Siberia during World War II and it saved her life. How...

10 Tips for Better Focus / CLASSIC from 2022-02-27T09:30

Tim Ferris, Louisa Nicola, and Dr. Nada Milosavljevic are all experts who are here to help you get focused. Today we bring their best advice back from past episodes of the Spartan Up podcast. Listen

Find Your Inner Animal / DEKA from 2022-02-25T09:30

“Find your inner beast, okay? Attack life. Punch fear in the face. It’s going to make you stronger. You know, be safe doing what you’re doing out there, we’re not talking about being reckless. B...

Do Less vs Get It Done! / Joe De Sena and Jessie Kanzer from 2022-02-22T09:30:58

The author of "Don't Just Sit There, DO NOTHING: Healing, Chilling, and Living with the Tao Te Ching" goes head to head with Spartan Race CEO and Founder Joe De S...

Beat Addiction / CLASSIC from 2022-02-20T09:30

Chris Herren, Joe Polish, and Ray Morvan tell us their experiences and give us advice to help battle our own addictions.

“You know, I have children, I have a 19 year old son, I hav...

Beat Addiction / CLASSIC from 2022-02-20T09:30

Chris Herren, Joe Polish, and Ray Morvan tell us their experiences and give us advice to help battle our own addictions.

“You know, I have children, I have a 19 year old son, I hav...

Help the Youth Love Fitness, Andrew Simpson / DEKA from 2022-02-18T09:30

Andrew Simpson says, “We can have both. We can have high success, we can have winners that do get the scholarship and that actually enjoy it along the way. We just need a new paradigm and some n...

Are There Human Limits? Mad Scientist Chris Duffin&Joe De Sena from 2022-02-15T09:31:22

For Chris Duffin, balance means giving everything you have to everything that's important.  Don't be limited by your own comprehension. In his conversation with Spar...

Stay Fit at 50 / DEKA from 2022-02-12T09:30

“Let's say my wife is fit and my kids are fit, and here I am, rolling into my fifties, and they want to go do something. I'll be damned if I-- if I have not respected myself. Through my 20s, 30s...

Skipping The Gels and Eating Real, Beau Miles pt 2 / ENDURANCE from 2022-02-10T09:30

Beau Miles, the Backyard Adventurer, poly-jobist, Doctor of Philosophy, author, is back to tell us about how he fuels himself on his days-long journeys.

“If it's days and days at a...

Is there a Better Fitness KPI? / Joe De Sena&Mike Palazzo from 2022-02-09T04:07:35

Don't ask how long you'll live.  Ask how long you'll be HEALTHY enough to enjoy life. What if you assessed your body by what it can DO rather than what it looks l...

Always Finding Adventure, Beau Miles pt 1 / ENDURANCE from 2022-02-05T09:30

Beau Miles, the Backyard Adventurer, poly-jobist, Doctor of Philosophy, author, doer and self-described oddball, is an inspiration to those of us looking to discover adventure in our lives to tu...

The Purpose of Having a Coach, Brian Nunez pt 2 / DEKA from 2022-02-03T09:30

Brian Nunez, IDEA World Fitness Personal Trainer of the year in 2019, owner of FNS (Fitness Never Sleeps) Training Center, author, and coach, talks to us about the highest qualities we can find ...

Here’s why you can’t focus / Joe De Sena and Johann Hari from 2022-02-02T09:11:51

“Stolen Focus - Why You Can’t Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again,” by Johann Hari examines the internal and external causes of our shrinking ability to f...

How to Fix Sleep and Burnout / CLASSIC from 2022-01-29T13:30

Arianna Huffington, Andrew Huberman, and Dr. Nada Milosavljevic help us to get the rest we need.

“So, the strongest zeitgeber is light. All the other stuff is important, but it pal...

What’s Your Purpose Today? Brian Nunez pt 1 / DEKA from 2022-01-27T09:30

Brian Nunez, IDEA World Fitness Personal Trainer of the year in 2019 and owner of FNS Training Center, talks to us about how your purpose drives you the hardest, not just your passion.

Listen

Do you Have a Confident Mind? Joe De Sena and Dr Nate Zinsser from 2022-01-25T03:17:45

West Point Performance Psychology Director Dr. Nate Zinnser talkies with Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena about tactics he uses with high performers and shares...

Ending Sugar Dependence / CLASSIC from 2022-01-22T16:00

Sarah Wilson and Josh Clemente break down the impact of sugar in our diet and how to reduce our dependence on it.

“I don’t have the numbers off the top of my head, but it’s somethi...

Getting The Right Nutrients, Amy Culp pt 2 / DEKA from 2022-01-20T10:30

Amy Culp, RD, CSSD, LD, CEDRD, tells us about getting the right nutrients in your day.

“What are you hungry for? What’s going to scratch that satisfaction piece of nutrition, while...

Kathrine Switzer Changed Marathons Forever, with host Joe De Sena from 2022-01-18T09:30:07

You’ve seen the iconic photo of the 1967 Boston Marathon race official attacking female registered racer Kathrine Switzer. She went on to become the first registered...

Can You Put Your Phone Down? / CLASSIC from 2022-01-15T22:00

Adam Alter, author of "Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked," Dr. Amishi Jha, author of "Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention," and Nir ...

Healthy Eating Habits, Amy Culp pt 1 / DEKA from 2022-01-13T09:30

Amy Culp Performance Nutrition RD, CSSD, LD says “I always tell people, the weight will take care of itself when you focus on your healthy habits, you focus on your fitness. So many people focus...

Joe De Sena’s Message for 2022 from 2022-01-11T09:00:26

Joe talks about a few of the big projects he and the team have been working on to spread the message of grit and resilience, drops in a superpowered sleep and foc...

Think Success to Have Success / CLASSIC from 2022-01-08T14:00

“I took notice to some of the other dads, and I saw that as soon as life, you know, quote unquote, life happens, they just stopped everything, aside from work and sitting down. Meaning they stop...

5 Ways To Weaponize Your Fitness / DEKA from 2022-01-07T00:21:38

“Coach each other. You may not have a certification, but put that coaching hat on. Like, ‘Hey, you want to go to class today with me?’ My wife went to a cycle class this morning at 5:00 AM. She ...

Joe's BEST Podcast Lessons of 2021 from 2022-01-04T09:30:14

Joe’s Best podcast Lessons of 2021

Joe De Sena discusses 5 lessons from the 2021 Spartan Up season.

• Listen

Finding Your Mission and Breaking Up With Your Old Self / CLASSIC from 2022-01-01T09:30

Joe - “You woke up one day and you were like, ‘I’m done, I’m not going to the bar?’”

Anders Varner - “Yeah, it was, like, pretty much exactly like that.” 

In this epi...

Life Keeps Getting Better, April Lauren pt 2 / DEKA from 2021-12-30T22:32:27

“The thing I think that's true, no matter where you live or who you are, most people in the fitness community are going to cheer for you and push you to be better because they're pushing themsel...

Your Brain on Food / Joe De Sena&Dr Uma Naidoo from 2021-12-28T21:00:35

Nutritional Psychiatry. Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, Professional Chef, and trained Nutrition Specialist, offers simple tips to help you stay o...

6 Ways to Overcome Negative Thoughts / CLASSIC from 2021-12-25T09:30

“The thing about negative thoughts, though, is that they can become barriers to us moving forward and achieving the things that we want, when we listen to them. Negative thoughts are a bit, a li...

Starting her Fitness Journey, April Lauren pt 1 / DEKA from 2021-12-24T00:42:12

“The trajectory of everything, everything that was going on in the world, my emotional state, that if I didn’t put my foot down, that I was going to be someone on TV…someone on TV where they’re so ...

Learn to Strengthen Your Focus / Joe De Sena&Dr Amishi Jha from 2021-12-21T09:30:37

You can build your capacity for attention and focus, just like you build your muscles. Today's guest Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University...

Getting Back On The Horse / DEKA from 2021-12-18T09:30

“Start grading yourself Sunday night. But know, your grade’s going to be shxtty, a lot, if you set yourself up for failure,” says Yancy Culp, co-host of the DEKA Series.

Today Yanc...

What's Really In Your Food? Joe De Sena&The Food Babe from 2021-12-16T09:30:11

The Food Babe, Vani Hari, lived on soda, fast food, and processed food (the typical American diet.) It landed her in a hospital. That's when the research on food ing...

Sleep and Resilience / Joe De Sena and Dr. Kirk Parsley from 2021-12-14T09:30:39

Sleep is the platform that all good health sits upon, says Dr. Kirk Parsley. A Navy SEAL who became an MD "Doc Parsley" found that almost all the high-performing ...

Building Healthy Feet, with Dr. Emily Splichal / ENDURANCE from 2021-12-11T09:30

“The nervous system in the body is very intelligent, and is based off of survival. Which means, it is going to find a way,” says Dr. Emily Splichal, Functional Podiatrist & Human Movement Specia...

Uplift Yourself and Other People, Don’t Tear Everyone Down, Chandler Smith pt 2 / DEKA from 2021-12-10T21:40:07

“You don’t want it to just be challenging for the most capable person in your formation, because then you’re going to crush everybody below them and they’re gonna feel awful. And you don’t want ...

Putting Yourself At Points of Friction, Chandler Smith Pt 1 / DEKA from 2021-12-04T09:30

“But then after these events that you see as only having negative outcomes occur, after they happen, you can, oftentimes, look back and be like, 'Alright well that actually ended up being someth...

Break From The Pack, Peter Jackson and GT Dave / CLASSIC from 2021-12-03T02:55:06

Joe - "What if your neighbor's kid started to see what--"

"Then so be it. Right? I was cool with it. I mean, again, I wasn't chasing dollars, I was not trying to become famous, I was not ...

Geek out on Your Metabolism / Joe De Sena with  Apo Atsalakis&Alex Wisch from 2021-12-01T17:42:23

Greek scientist Apostolos Atsalakis, founder of PNOE, and athlete Alex Wisch join Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan, to talk about metabolism, zone workouts, and VO...

Eating Well is so Fxcking Simple, with Allen Lim, Dr. Fred Bisci, and Jeffrey Zurofsky / CLASSIC from 2021-11-27T09:30

“You can’t run a race if you’re not thinking about the type of food, the fuel you’re putting in your body. And if you’re a kid growing up in New York City, and yo...

Eating Well is so Fxcking Simple, with Allen Lim, Dr. Fred Bisci, and Jeffrey Zurofsky / CLASSIC from 2021-11-27T09:30

“You can’t run a race if you’re not thinking about the type of food, the fuel you’re putting in your body. And if you’re a kid growing up in New York City, and yo...

Thanksgiving! with our hosts Johnny Waite, Jarod Cogswell&Yancy Culp from 2021-11-25T11:44:48

“There’s some brutal optics, and you see the crappy things going on out there, and every now and then we’re reminded that there’s way way more good than there is ...

Playing the Hand You're Dealt / Joe De Sena&John Henry from 2021-11-24T09:13:40

“Someone took the hand you’re complaining about and won with it” said John Henry. A Dominican-American entrepreneur and inv...

Recovering From Injury, Nicole Mericle / ENDURANCE from 2021-11-20T09:30

“It’s that important. It’s like, basically you approach recovery as if it’s like your most important workout of the week, but you do it everyday, probably,” says ...

Tools To Take Limitations Off the Table, with Craig Siegel / DEKA from 2021-11-18T09:30

“If you’re not so confident or you’re not where you want to be, there are skills that we can develop to get there, so, don’t worry,” says Craig Siegel, Founder of...

Why Play the Long Game? Joe De Sena&Dorie Clark from 2021-11-16T09:10:42

Are you doing future you any favors? Dorie Clark, author of "The Long Game" talks with Joe De Sena, founder & CEO of Spartan, about the value of thinking long ter...

Use Failure to Your Advantage, with Howard Chang and Matt Segal / CLASSIC from 2021-11-13T09:30

“...To know that it’s okay to fail, basically. Because if you don’t fail...it’s okay to not always succeed, because if you succeeded all the time, then you’d have...

Use Failure to Your Advantage, with Howard Chang and Matt Segal / CLASSIC from 2021-11-13T09:30

“...To know that it’s okay to fail, basically. Because if you don’t fail...it’s okay to not always succeed, because if you succeeded all the time, then you’d have...

Caring is Critical to Your Success, Marcus Filly pt 2 / DEKA from 2021-11-11T09:30

“The work should not be on the individual to figure out how to be healthy. We should show up for them to show them, in all ways, how to be healthy. Whether it’s m...

An Expert on Failure / Joe De Sena and Jim Harshaw Jr from 2021-11-09T09:00:06

Success through Failure - that’s the name of Jim Harshaw Jr’s podcast, he and Joe De Sena (founder & CEO of Spartan) examine attitudes toward failure and the power i...

The Power of Your Human Network, Elizabeth Weil and Karim Jaude / CLASSIC from 2021-11-06T08:30

“He said, ‘No, no. Not to my boss.’ I heard him say it. I said, ‘Hassib? Is that you?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Can you help me?’ He said, ‘What I can do to help ...

The Power of Your Human Network, Elizabeth Weil and Karim Jaude / CLASSIC from 2021-11-06T08:30

“He said, ‘No, no. Not to my boss.’ I heard him say it. I said, ‘Hassib? Is that you?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Can you help me?’ He said, ‘What I can do to help ...

How To Focus On Doing What You Love, Marcus Filly pt 1 / DEKA from 2021-11-04T11:00

“I had done enough to know, like, okay, there's nothing to prove here. I either push forward because I love this, and this is what I am meant to do, or I stop. Th...

Lessons from Pro Baseball / Brandon Guyer and Joe De Sena from 2021-11-02T08:14:04

What can Spartans learn about high performance from professional baseball? Brandon Guyer spent seven years as a Major League Baseball outfielder, now he coaches a...

Life With The Mindset of a Spartan, with Steven Pressfield and Mike Sandrock / CLASSIC from 2021-10-30T08:30

“It’s a snowstorm and they had already run 10 miles in the morning, they had skied all day, black double diamonds. And they were going out, it was dark, freezing ...

How You Can Change Your Life By Having More Respect, Ralph Rajs pt 2 / DEKA from 2021-10-28T08:30

“That’s a culture that not everyone’s cut out for, and that’s okay, right? So that happens in organizations. Not everyone’s cut out to be, necessarily, in this pa...

Joe De Sena's 10 Rules for Resilience from 2021-10-27T00:45:09

Joe De Sena’s Parenting book “10 Rules for Mental Toughness for Families” www.spartan.com/10Rules The Tough Bible - the best information ...

How To Live The Lifestyle of a Fit Pro, Ralph Rajs / DEKA from 2021-10-23T14:40:59

“How much can I experience and not just, you know, ‘I saw the hotel lobby. Cool.’ I want to be able to experience stuff. And being physically fit and capable allo...

How To Live The Lifestyle of a Fit Pro, Ralph Rajs / DEKA from 2021-10-23T14:40:59

“How much can I experience and not just, you know, ‘I saw the hotel lobby. Cool.’ I want to be able to experience stuff. And being physically fit and capable allo...

Raise Your Standards and Expectations General Stanley McChrystal and BG Chaplain Solhjem/ CLASSIC from 2021-10-21T18:00:32

“We use a term all the time, ‘balance.’ I don’t like that term. Life isn’t about achieving balance, it’s about integration,” says now Major General and Chief of C...

Raise Your Standards and Expectations General Stanley McChrystal and BG Chaplain Solhjem/ CLASSIC from 2021-10-21T18:00:32

“We use a term all the time, ‘balance.’ I don’t like that term. Life isn’t about achieving balance, it’s about integration,” says now Major General and Chief of C...

How do you get the resilience you need? / Joe De Sena and George Bonnano from 2021-10-19T20:23:43

Today we take our quest for resilience to the next level with data-backed insights from George Bonnano, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University wh...

When You Have A Problem, Are You a Flamethrower or a Fire Extinguisher? / DEKA from 2021-10-16T08:30

“I’m telling you, that’s one, the way we just did that-- if we could snap our fingers and get every single human walking the planet to listen to that one, the wor...

Live The Life You Want to Live / ENDURANCE from 2021-10-14T08:30

“We’re gonna check in on my wife and see if she’s happy. Happy wife, happy life...hope she’s home! Or somewhere that I can reach her!... Uh oh… She’s happy, she’s...

How to Make the Medical Choices Your Life Depends On / Joe De Sena&Dr. Talya Miron-Shatz from 2021-10-12T08:16:50

You make decisions about your health every day - from nutrition to medication, to whether you should go out and race on an injured knee or ankle. Joe De Sena, fou...

How True Leaders Protect Their Team / DEKA from 2021-10-07T08:30

“So for all you leaders out there, let this pull you to the edge of your seat.  When you pull up to work, or when you get ready to hit ‘play’ on the Zoom, or go l...

How this Coach is using Rugby to change lives/ Joe Desena and the SCRUM movie from 2021-10-05T08:04:55

Coach Frank McKinney, one of the first Black college rugby coaches in the US, says "I didn't get into coaching to win games.  My thing is to make young men better...

Live Your Life With Experiences Instead of Materials, Amit Kumar & Robyn Benincasa / CLASSIC from 2021-10-02T08:30

“‘Let's go for a walk, you know, let's go for a run.’ And whatever she could do, if she couldn’t run, she’d walk. If she couldn’t walk, she’d do something else. A...

Live Your Life With Experiences Instead of Materials, Amit Kumar&Robyn Benincasa / CLASSIC from 2021-10-02T08:30

“‘Let's go for a walk, you know, let's go for a run.’ And whatever she could do, if she couldn’t run, she’d walk. If she couldn’t walk, she’d do something else. A...

Conquering the Seven Summits with Confidence, Mark Pattison Pt 2 / DEKA from 2021-09-30T12:35:26

“Before I ever went to Mt. Everest, I saw every single YouTube video you could possibly imagine about that mountain, what I’m in for, right? All these dead bodies...

Are Your Kids Ready to Face Life? Joe De Sena and His Friend Ilias Diakomihalis from 2021-09-28T08:30

As parents, it's the ultimate question. Today Joe De Sena, founder & CEO of Spartan, talks with his friend Ilias Diakomihalis about building mentally strong kids....

Achieving Your Big Hairy Audacious Goals, Mark Pattison Pt 1 / DEKA from 2021-09-23T14:30

“The original goal was to try to become the first NFL player to ever climb the Seven Summits, and when that got pushed out a year, I said, ‘You know what? I’m goi...

Coming Back from Failure / Joe De Sena&Gordon Caplan Joe De Sena&Gordon Caplan Part 2 from 2021-09-21T08:30

When it feels like all hope is lost, how do you come back? Heard of the "Varsity Blues" college admission scandal? Have you asked yourself what happened next? How...

Uncharted Territory, with Levison Wood and Shannon Galpin / CLASSIC from 2021-09-19T18:38:08

“There are fishermen…that go out swimming, with nets, they don’t even have a boat. They’ll go out with nets in crocodile infested waters. And they’re like, ‘Well, we don’t have a choice, I can’t...

Uncharted Territory, with Levison Wood and Shannon Galpin / CLASSIC from 2021-09-19T18:38:08

“There are fishermen…that go out swimming, with nets, they don’t even have a boat. They’ll go out with nets in crocodile infested waters. And they’re like, ‘Well, we don’t have a choice, I can’t...

Why The Fitness Community Needs to Unite, Paul Bedford Pt 2 / DEKA from 2021-09-16T08:30

“You know, if you think, every member that you’ve got in the gym knows three people, they know at least three people, who they’re friends with, that don’t exercis...

Every Parent With High School-Aged Kids Needs to Hear This / Joe De Sena&Gordon Caplan from 2021-09-14T08:30:05

Heard of the "Varsity Blues" college admission scandal? Maybe you've asked yourself "what were those people thinking?," or maybe you thought "does everybody do that?," or maybe you asked yoursel...

What Are Your Ultimate Limits? Chris Legh & Tony the Fridge / CLASSIC from 2021-09-11T15:30:53

“Well you know, this was a man who, at the time, I was contemplating, ‘How do I stop today? I can’t move on, I can’t get to the end. I have a fractured leg, somet...

What Are Your Ultimate Limits? Chris Legh&Tony the Fridge / CLASSIC from 2021-09-11T15:30:53

“Well you know, this was a man who, at the time, I was contemplating, ‘How do I stop today? I can’t move on, I can’t get to the end. I have a fractured leg, somet...

Recognizing Differences in Exercise to Build People Up, Paul Bedford Pt 1 / DEKA from 2021-09-09T11:49:23

“I speak to people all the time that go, ‘I can’t do this because… of my age. Because of my gender. Because of my sexual preference. Because I’ve got hair. Becaus...

Should You Be Eating Plant Based? Joe De Sena asks authors of Plant Based Athlete from 2021-09-07T08:57:32

You don't have to change everything - start with more plants. Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan, talks to the authors of "The Plant Based Athlete," Matt Fra...

Your Obstacles Aren’t Comparable to the Things These Explorers Went Through / ENDURANCE from 2021-09-04T08:30

“You know, I’m sure you’ve heard that old adage of, I guess it’s credited to Winston Churchill, when he gets up to speak about accomplishment...three lines he say...

Take Action to Raise Your Compassion, Kelly McGonigal Pt 3 / DEKA from 2021-09-02T08:30

“You know, I mentioned, when you move with other people, you trust them more and you like them more. There’s something about moving with other people and in synch...

Task Force Pineapple, Parenting&Why Promises Matter - Joe De Sena, Scott Mann&Tim Nye from 2021-08-31T08:30

As a parent, as a warrior, as a veteran, as a human - what’s the value of keeping a promise.  What’s the power of trust. What’s the power of commitment.  Today Sc...

It's not Too late to Take Control of Your Health , Kyle White / ENDURANCE from 2021-08-28T08:30

“...Weight loss is hard, you know? There’s so much information out there telling you how you should live your life, to lose weight. So many fad diets, it’s pretty hard to sift through. But I wou...

What Happens in Your Brain When You Exercise with Kelly McGonigal Ph.D. Pt 2 / DEKA from 2021-08-26T08:30

“When you exercise, your brain is receiving signals from your body that really tell you who you are and what you’re capable of. So when we talk about exercise boosting confidence or being empowe...

What Happens in Your Brain When You Exercise with Kelly McGonigal Ph.D. Pt 2 / DEKA from 2021-08-26T08:30

“When you exercise, your brain is receiving signals from your body that really tell you who you are and what you’re capable of. So when we talk about exercise boosting confidence or being empowe...

Proven Resilience&Stress Adaptation Techniques with Joe De Sena&Paul Taylor from 2021-08-24T08:32:10

Can you inoculate yourself from stress?  Paul Taylor, of the Mind-Body Brain Performance Institute, says you can. He calls himself a "PracAdemic," part practical ...

Tackling Fear and Finding Happiness Through Discomfort, Kelly McGonigal Pt. 1 / DEKA from 2021-08-19T08:30

“If you can recognize that you want to feel empowered, that you want greater vitality and health, that you want to be able to deal with stress better, that you wa...

The Science of Dream Teams with Joe De Sena and Mike Zani from 2021-08-17T08:31:39

Sports teams have been using data to select new team members for decades behind. Today  Mike Zani talks about how you can use personality based data to hire, mana...

Wag Your Tail ft. Todd Durkin / DEKA from 2021-08-14T08:30

“Listen, some people are whooped right now. Wag your tail, find what's good in your life. Find gratitude, what's going on. Write it down. Because the one thing, w...

Going Straight Into MMA after College Wrestling with Logan Storley / COMBAT from 2021-08-12T17:11:55

“For me, for the younger guys, I don't care where you're from. If you're an Iowa guy, right, we 'don't like each other,' but as soon as you get on my team, you're...

Using Mindfulness Tactics with Joe De Sena&John Macaskill from 2021-08-10T08:30

Retired Navy Seal John Macaskill was desperate when his doctor prescribed meditation.  The results were so powerful he now teaches it. Listen today to hear how to...

Be Selfish / DEKA from 2021-08-07T08:30

“How many times have we heard, 'Well, back in the day, I mean, I was just running and gunning. I can't do that anymore.' Listen, where you are right now, you're o...

How Kyle Dake Made the 2021 Olympic Team / ENDURANCE from 2021-08-05T08:30

Olympian Kyle Dake is living his dream - it's been a long journey but today, August 4th 2021 he's competing on the Olympic stage. We're taking a look back at what brought him here. What made him...

Save the Fun for Later Joe De Sena&Russell Brunson from 2021-08-03T08:30

Save the fun for later, don’t be afraid to get in the ring, don’t fear discomfort - it’s all familiar advice but did you expect it from the founder of Click Funne...

Training as a Blind, Double-Amputee, Judo Fighter, with John Kuchinski / COMBAT from 2021-07-31T08:30

“I don’t think it’s a real, like, settling thought to most people that, you know, you’re going to go to the hospital and leave with less than what you came with,”...

How to Get Your Mind Right with Todd Durkin, Winning The Mind Game pt 4 / DEKA from 2021-07-29T08:30

“See, dreams ignite inspiration in your heart. And inspiration is different than motivation. As most of us know, inspiration is inspired. In spirit, inspire means...

Should you choose risk? Sukhinder Singh Cassidy&Joe De Sena from 2021-07-27T14:46:05

When do you take risks, when do you play it safe?  It turns out it's not one or the other.  Sukhinder Singh Cassidy talks with Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena...

How Wrestling Helps You Get Into Pro MMA / COMBAT from 2021-07-24T08:30

“It's not wrestlers that have done well in MMA or are doing well in MMA. That is historically false. It is American wrestlers. Specifically because of the takedow...

Fuel Your Body With What’s Best For YOU! Barefoot Ted Pt 2 / ENDURANCE from 2021-07-22T08:30

“I really look at Leadville as being a reminder of how to live. Conserve, preserve, stay connected, stay happy. Don’t be worn down early on,” says Ted McDonald, a...

Simple Rules for Fasting with Dr. Will Cole from 2021-07-20T08:30

Does fasting sound like another new and confusing health trend? According to Dr. Will Cole, author of “Intuitive Fasting,” and Joe De Sena, founder & CEO of Spart...

Working and Living Like an Athlete, Winning The Mind Game Pt 3 / DEKA from 2021-07-17T08:30

“You know, the whole basis of this is like, Hey, I didn't make it as a professional athlete. Right? But when it came to my job and it came to my life, you know, i...

You Already Know How to Be Fit! Barefoot Ted / ENDURANCE from 2021-07-15T08:30

As a kid did you run around for the fun of it? You were probably stronger than you think. Can you get back in touch with that feeling? Who needs motivation when you are just having a great time?...

What Got Branson to Space? Here's what he said in 2014! from 2021-07-13T08:30

In 2014 this conversation with Richard Branson was one of Joe De Sena's first Spartan Up interviews. Branson explained why he had the vision to travel to space.  ...

BE BOLD! with Dr. Juliet McGrattan, Winning The Mind Game Pt 2 / DEKA from 2021-07-10T08:30

“Stop worrying about what other people think about you. You know, those very first steps you take, as a runner, when you feel stupid, when you feel you have no ri...

How To Keep Pushing When You Think Can't Go Longer with Hunter McIntyre / ENDURANCE from 2021-07-08T08:30

“Usually, everything that I’ve done, someone’s probably done before me, and I would like to be the person that sets the bar for the next one. I know, every time I...

Master the Comeback! Joe De Sena&Marques Ogden from 2021-07-06T08:30

He played in the NFL as an offensive lineman for 6 years, but transition came hard for Marques Ogden. But through the lows and highs, he learned how to make it wo...

Apply Discipline&Achieve Your Goals with Dr. Lara Pence, Winning The Mind Game Pt 1 / DEKA from 2021-07-03T13:36:54

“When things wrap around in our head all the time, and it’s not something we write down, it can play mind games with us. I mean, talk about bumping up your mental...

Apply Discipline & Achieve Your Goals with Dr. Lara Pence, Winning The Mind Game Pt 1 / DEKA from 2021-07-03T13:36:54

“When things wrap around in our head all the time, and it’s not something we write down, it can play mind games with us. I mean, talk about bumping up your mental...

Being Big and Staying Big in Endurance Sports, with Hunter McIntyre / ENDURANCE from 2021-07-01T09:30

“...You’re just getting super super good at one capacity, and if you’re lucky, and you ride the razor of cutting your diet down and doing your training right, you...

An Important Post Pandemic Message from Joe De Sena from 2021-06-29T19:42:16

If you’re having trouble re-starting the engine after a year of lockdowns, you’re not alone.  But we are here to help with some pretty simple solutions. Listen

Reaching Your Summit - Life Fueled by Fitness Part 5 / DEKA from 2021-06-24T09:30

“And so what do you do from here? Okay, what do you do once you achieve that level of fitness or that goal that you wanted to achieve? And we’ve seen so many peop...

Tough Mudder meets Spartan - Joe De Sena and Kyle McLaughlin from 2021-06-23T08:30

We have a massive goal, to rip 100 million people off the couch. We can’t do it alone. You never thought you’d see the day, but the day has come .... the CEO of S...

The Best Nutrition + Strength Formula for Endurance Athletes with Dave Scott / ENDURANCE from 2021-06-19T09:30

“Usually people are reactive because they’ve got an injury and really they should be addressing it beforehand,” says Dave Scott, 6x Ironman World Champion.  Listen

Know Your Scoreboard - Fuel your Life with Fitness pt 4 / DEKA from 2021-06-17T09:30

“The large majority of people went through school and never competed in any type of event. Triathlons, Spartan Races, and even the Murph Challenge...those are big...

"FREEDOM" with Sebastian Junger&Joe De Sena from 2021-06-15T08:30

Sebastian Junger, author of "The Perfect Storm," "War," and "Tribe" has a new book called "Freedom." There's at least one simple truth about freedom, the more dis...

A Surprising Trick for Energy Management / COMBAT from 2021-06-12T09:30

“Noise is energy draining and so I used ear plugs to preserve energy,” says Matt Gentry, 2x Olympian and former NCAA champion for Stanford. 

Prevent Injuries by Focusing on Mobility with 6x Ironman World Champ Dave Scott / ENDURANCE from 2021-06-10T09:30

“When you combine high intensity strength training with high intensity interval training...that’s magic for your whole physiology and preventing injuries,” says D...

How You Can Build Resilience / Joe De Sena and Nick Morris from 2021-06-08T08:30

A day with Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan Race, is likely to include some physical challenges.  When Nick Morris, co-founder of  Health Warrior visited Joe that ...

Find Your Fitness Tribe / DEKA fitness journey Pt 3 with Jarod and Yancy from 2021-06-05T09:30

“Surround yourself with people who are on the same mission as you are, '' says Jarod Cogswell, co-host of the DEKA Series Podcast.  

Listen

Hit this Heart Rate Zone When Training with Jonathan Albon / ENDURANCE from 2021-06-03T09:30

“It’s actually been really fun to start coaching, understanding what works for other people and that helps me in my own training,” says Jonathan Albon, 2014 Spart...

How to Bring the Power of Running into your Life / Joe De Sena&Dean Karnazes from 2021-06-01T08:30

Today Joe De Sena celebrates running with Dean Karnazes, author of Run, of Ultramarathon Man, and of the new book "A Runner's High." 

Listen

Reframe Your Definition of Sacrifice with Yianni Diakomihalis / COMBAT from 2021-05-29T09:30

“It’s not sacrifice because all you’re doing is trading it in for something that you really want,”  says Yianni Diakomihalis, 2x NCAA wrestling champion for Corne...

How Champion Jonathan Albon Trains for OCR / ENDURANCE from 2021-05-27T09:30

“Running isn't that good for you. So if you do it for 12 months of the year you’re probably going to get injured and lose the love of it” says Jonathan Albon, 201...

How Champion Jonathan Albon Trains for OCR / ENDURANCE from 2021-05-27T09:30

“Running isn't that good for you. So if you do it for 12 months of the year you’re probably going to get injured and lose the love of it” says Jonathan Albon, 201...

Overcome Your Comfort Crisis / Joe De Sena&Michael Easter from 2021-05-25T08:30

We've been screaming it from the mountaintops for years - "get uncomfortable!"  Today Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan, talks with Michael Easter about his new boo...

Create Your Own Reality with Gene Dykes / ENDURANCE from 2021-05-22T09:30

“It comes down to doing a little bit more each year,” says Gene Dykes, on how to create a mindset that bucks societal norms of what’s possible.

  Listen

Finding the Right Fitness for You, Part 2 with Jarod and Yancy / DEKA from 2021-05-20T09:30

“If your workouts aren’t enjoyable, it’s time to make a shift because you are so much more likely to stay with a training plan if you enjoy it, '' says Yancy Culp...

Why Human Connection is Critical to Your Success&Longevity / Joe De Sena&Jon Levy from 2021-05-18T08:30

What are the greatest predictors of health, performance &  longevity? Relationships.  Today Behavioral scientists Jon Levy explains why these connections are so i...

Run Into Your 70's with Gene Dykes / ENDURANCE from 2021-05-15T09:30

“My goals are to run faster on roads and longer on trails,” says Gene Dykes, the only living human to run a sub 3-hour marathon while being 70 years or older.   Listen

Excuse Free Fitness Part 1 with Jarod and Yancy / DEKA from 2021-05-13T09:30

“If you have a body, you are an athlete,” says Jarod Cogswell, co-host of the DEKA Series Podcast.  

Spartan Up Podc...

How Your Gut Impacts Performance / Joe De Sena and Naveen Jain from 2021-05-11T08:30

What you eat can impact everything from mood, to energy, to disease. Naveen Jain, founder of Viome, and Joe Desena, Spartan Race founder and CEO,  talk about the ...

How to Take Risks with Shane Sparks / COMBAT from 2021-05-08T09:30

“I looked in my rearview mirror and said to myself ‘you made $4k today but you hate your job.’ The next day I moved to Arizona and enrolled in radio school,” says...

Failing to Trust the Process with Shane Sparks / COMBAT from 2021-05-06T09:30

“Looking back, the experience was miserable and that’s because I appended the wrong values to winning and losing,” says Shane Sparks, hall of fame broadcaster and...

The Formula to Turn Struggle Into Growth with Joe De Sena and Sarah Goldman from 2021-05-04T08:30

You left your comfort zone, you embraced the struggle...now what? How do you get the maximum leverage from these difficult experiences that we know create growth?...

Parenting to Instill Confidence with Johnny Waite / ENDURANCE from 2021-05-01T09:30

“The worst advice you can give your kids is: stop being you,” says Johnny Waite, Death Race finisher and race director for Spartan. 

Listen

You'll Win if You Don't Quit with Kevin Curry / DEKA from 2021-04-29T09:30

“You’ll win if you don’t quit,” says Kevin Curry, fitness expert and social media sensation, reflecting on his first DEKA Fit event in Dallas. 

Listen

How Stress Really Works / Joe De Sena&Jim Poole from 2021-04-27T08:30

What are the mechanisms of stress? In 2015, Solace Lifesciences, was granted the world’s only patent for “Systems and Methods for Balancing and Maintaining the He...

How to Get Obstacle Immunity with Johnny Waite / ENDURANCE from 2021-04-24T09:30

“An easy life is no life at all,” says Johnny Waite.

Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite is inte...

3 Steps to Reimagining Food with Kevin Curry / DEKA from 2021-04-22T09:30

““Our bodies are built in the kitchen, Sculpted in the gym,” says Kevin Curry, fitness expert and social media sensation.

Listen

Can You Endure? / Lisa Tamati and Joe De Sena from 2021-04-21T08:30

For the past 25 years she has competed in the world's toughest endurance from the Gobi Desert to the Himalayas.  Today she shares a few incredible tales from her ...

A Wrestling Mindset for Business Success with CEO Doug Waggoner / COMBAT from 2021-04-17T09:30

“If you solve a problem for a customer you earn more loyalty and then they come back for more,” says Doug Waggoner, a Fortune 1000 CEO. 

Listen

How to Use Running to Boost Creativity with Semi-Rad Brendan Leonard / ENDURANCE from 2021-04-15T09:30

“My goal is to tell stories that help people in some-way,” says Brendan Leonard, author, climber and ultra-endurance athlete. 

Listen

No Feet? No Problem. / Joe De Sena&Roderick Sewell from 2021-04-14T08:30

When Roderick Sewell was born his mother was told he could spend his life in a wheelchair or have both legs amputated above the knee.  She chose possibility and a...

How to Reduce Fear with Olympian Ben Askren / COMBAT from 2021-04-10T09:30

“Release your ego from the outcome,” says Olympian Ben Askren.  

This episode of the Spartan Up Combat Seri...

Celebrating Fitness at DEKA Fit Dallas with Jarod and Yancy / DEKA from 2021-04-08T09:30

“Once you conquer that mountain, it’s time to look at the next mountain,” says Jarod Cogswell, DEKA FIT Director of Sport.

Listen

Do you Need a Code of Conduct? FBI's Former Asst. Dir. of Counterintelligence Says Yes. from 2021-04-06T08:30

Joe De Sena talks to Frank Figliuzzi. He was the asst. dir. of counterintelligence at the FBI, where he served 25 years as a special agent and directed all espionage investigations across the go...

Behind the Scenes at the Olympic Wrestling Trials with Gold Medalist Kendall Cross / COMBAT from 2021-04-03T09:30

“I would describe the experience with one word, stressful. I would be at a stop light and notice myself clenching my teeth in the weeks leading up to the Olympic ...

Use Vulnerability to Lead with CSM Michael L. Hatfield / DEKA from 2021-04-01T09:30

“100% was the standard every day, for 30 plus years,” says Command Sergeant Major Michael L. Hatfield. 

Spartan Up P...

Use Vulnerability to Lead with CSM Michael L. Hatfield / DEKA from 2021-04-01T09:30

“100% was the standard every day, for 30 plus years,” says Command Sergeant Major Michael L. Hatfield. 

Spartan Up P...

Should You Eat More Plants? / Joe De Sena&Dr. Alan Desmond from 2021-03-30T08:30

Last week we talked about blue scorpion venom, today we're keeping it super simple. Eat more plants.  It's not just Joe De Sena telling you it matters - today sel...

It's never too late to change with David Taylor / COMBAT from 2021-03-27T09:30

David Taylor is one of the most popular wrestlers in the world.  He won the 2018 World Championships after winning two NCAA titles for Penn State.  He’s set to ma...

I Hate Running and You Can Too with Brendan Leonard / ENDURANCE from 2021-03-25T09:30

“Walk early and walk often,” says Brendan Leonard, author, climber and ultra-endurance athlete.

Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, talks with Brendan Leonard, author o...

Blue Scorpion Venom&Other Nutrition Hacks / Bryce Wylde from 2021-03-24T08:30

Get your notebook out, because today, Joe is going to geek out with functional medicine clinician price wild from Blue Scorpion venom and Spartan t to vitamin D a...

The Roadmap to Fulfillment with Super Frenchie, Matthias Giraud / DEKA from 2021-03-20T09:30

“Everyone is chasing happiness. Screw happiness. Fulfillment...checks all the boxes including happiness,” says Matthias, Super Frenchie, Giraud.  

<...

Commit to Your Next Endurance Adventure with Charlie Engle / ENDURANCE from 2021-03-18T09:30

“That feeling of uncertainty - the feeling of not knowing if you’re capable to finish the race - is a gift,” says Charlie Engle, when speaking about his criteria ...

The Attributes of Optimal Performance / Rich Diviney&Joe De Sena from 2021-03-16T08:30

What are the essential attributes you need to succeed? On a Spartan course, as an athlete or an entrepreneur?  Rich Diviney served over 20 years as a Navy SEAL Of...

When the coach doesn't want you there with Victoria Francis / COMBAT from 2021-03-12T10:30

“It was hard being the only girl on the team but I thought, because you don’t want me here, I’m going to stick it out just to make you mad,” says Victoria Francis...

Build Mental Strength&Resilience / Dr. Lara Pence&Marion Abrams from 2021-03-09T09:30

Spartans believe in readiness.  Life will throw your curveballs, and you will need to be mentally, physically and emotionally strong, resilient and ready.  Our gu...

We Need More Women in OCR with Nicole Mericle / ENDURANCE from 2021-03-08T10:30

“Basically I saw a lack of competition at the same level as on the male side. I saw a lot of my female friends backing away from competitive races and I thought i...

How to conquer fear and live an intentional life with Super Frenchie, Matthias Giraud / DEKA from 2021-03-06T10:30

“The first thing I thought was...you’re not dying today,” says Matthias, Super Frenchie, Giraud when remembering an epic ski-BASE jump on the North face of Matter...

Running Through Addiction with Ultra-running Legend Charlie Engle / ENDURANCE from 2021-03-04T10:30

“The addict part of me is the best part of me,” says Charlie Engle, ultrarunning legend.  Charlie speaks to how ultrarunning provided an outlet to channel his inn...

How to Build a Winning Mindset / Joe De Sena&Gene Zannetti from 2021-03-02T09:30

Training for mindset is just as important as training for strength.  But how do you get started?  Today Joe De Sena (founder and CEO of Spartan) talks with Gene Z...

Using a life or death moment to find your true north with Jay Jackson / COMBAT from 2021-02-27T10:30

“You can sit there and wallor about it ‘like I almost died.’ Or, you can be the person who says ‘how can I use this to make myself better?” That’s the question Ja...

How to Surround Yourself with Amazing People with Michael Taylor / ENDURANCE from 2021-02-25T10:30

“I always tell my team, I never leave anyone on the mountain,” says Michael Taylor, founder of Spartan Spades.

Listen

I Quit Sugar/ Joe De Sena&Sarah Wilson from 2021-02-23T09:30

How much sugar should you be eating?  Why is it so hard to stop once you start?  How have we evolved to crave it and what can you do about it? Spartan founder and...

Finding Your Purpose with David and Mechelle Freeman / DEKA from 2021-02-20T10:30

The Freemans have a family mantra. It reads “I’m smart. I’m strong. I’m beautiful. I can do anything.” Parents David and Mechelle crafted the mantra for their kid...

How Michael Taylor is Improving the Health of the Bronx / ENDURANCE from 2021-02-18T10:30

“My neighborhood ranks lowest (in terms of health markers) across the state, and the nation. We have some of the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in the coun...

Is Sober an Outdated Word? / Joe De Sena&Bill Shufelt from 2021-02-16T11:00

Starting a craft brewery for non-alcoholic beers was was an idea that came to Bill Shufelt when he saw the huge improvements in his own life when he removed alcoh...

Wrestling will change your life with Coach Mike Palazzo / COMBAT from 2021-02-13T10:30

“Wrestling will change your life,” says head wrestling coach Mike Palazzo, who has created a wrestling dynasty at Lake Highland Prep (Florida).  

 <...

Learning from Failures with Inventor Pete Holman / DEKA from 2021-02-11T10:30

“I just can’t see investing in a business where the product is a stick with a cord,” an investor told Pete Holman.  Today, that stick with a cord is sold across t...

Could You Go from 0 to Olympic Gold? Lindsay Shoop&Joe De Sena from 2021-02-09T11:30

Imagine: You're not in the shape you should be. You've of lost your direction. You've hit a low. That was Lindsay Dare Shoop. Eight years later, she was taking ho...

Former NFL Pro JJ Birden Always Works Like an Underdog / DEKA from 2021-02-05T10:30

“It’s okay if they see you as the underdog, but don’t believe that you are the underdog,” says former NFL pro JJ Birden. Birden played in 9 NFL seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Fal...

Keep your training fresh with endurance athlete Lisa Smith-Batchen / ENDURANCE from 2021-02-04T10:30

“If you want to be an athlete when you’re 90, you have to keep mixing up your workouts,” says Lisa Smith-Batchen, endurance athlete and guest on this week’s Endur...

Roar into 2021 with Steven Pressfield&Joe De Sena from 2021-02-02T20:00

Steven Pressfield, author of "Gates of Fire" about the original Spartans, and the classics "The Warrior Ethos" and "The War of Art" joins Joe De Sena on the Spart...

What I learned from getting fired with business leader Wade Burgess / COMBAT from 2021-01-30T10:30

“I was fired, my car exploded, and closed on a new house in a week’s time”, says Wade Burgess, Chief Revenue Officer at Rev.Com

Listen

Learn to live with no regrets with fitness inventor Pete Holman / DEKA from 2021-01-28T10:30

How do you live life with no regrets? Tune into this episode with fitness inventor and export Pete Holman, who joins SpartanUp DEKA series hosts’ Jarod C...

Stay Motivated for 2021 with Clark Bartram&Joe De Sena from 2021-01-25T23:43:35

Need some motivation as we walk into 2021?  This is the episode for you. Fitness icon Clark Bartram and Joe De Sena share their favorite tactics for getting going...

Race the extremes with the Badwater queen Lisa Smith-Batchen / ENDURANCE from 2021-01-23T10:30

“Physically, our bodies are so capable to do what our mind wants to do,” says Lisa Smith-Batchen, endurance athlete and guest on this week’s Endurance Se...

How Gym Owners can Raise the Stakes with Alex Hormozi / DEKA from 2021-01-21T10:30

“The people who are advanced never don’t do the basics,” says Alex Hormozi, CEO of Gym Launch. Alex talks with SpartanUp DEKA series hosts Jarod Cogswell and Yanc...

Mark Cuban Answers Questions from Joe and Spartans from 2021-01-19T09:30

Billionaire Mark Cuban joins Joe De Sena on Spartan Up today. The Shark tank star and owner of the Dallas Mavericks talks to Joe about how he would solve some pre...

The Egoless Coach with Bryan Medlin / COMBAT from 2021-01-16T10:30

“We will go to the end of the Earth to make sure our team gets what they need,” says Bryan Medlin.  SpartanUp Combat Series host Ryan Warner talks with Medlin - o...

How to Take On Massive Challenge (like running from Afghanistan to China) / ENDURANCE from 2021-01-14T10:30

From the border of Afghanistan to the border of China, the Running the Roof the crew traversed the Bartang Valley on foot!  This journey took over 20+ months to p...

What's Your Ideal Diet? with Nick Shaw&Joe De Sena from 2021-01-12T09:30

Joe De Sena and Nick Shaw review all the most popular diet types.  What should you really be eating?  How do you simplify your food choices? Nick is the Founder a...

What Hunter McIntyre Really Thinks of Spartan Games / DEKA from 2021-01-09T10:30

“I have a sticky-note on my wall that says ‘Ryan Atkins made you look stupid,” says Hunter McIntyre, who lost to Atkins at the inaugural Spartan Games.   Listen

Running across Tajikstan with the creators of Running the Roof/ ENDURANCE from 2021-01-07T10:30

It’s not about the idea, it’s about the people behind the idea who can make it happen. That’s the theme of today’s StartanU...

Leading During Chaos, advice from Unbreakable Leadership's Thom Shea with Joe De Sena from 2021-01-05T09:30

They were desperate enough to call in an airstrike on themselves. Think about that. WIth that came ultimate clarity. Retired Navy SEAL Thom Shea says war teaches ...

How to Stay Hydrated, Focused and Nourished in 2021 with Joe De Sena / COMBAT from 2021-01-02T16:33:31

When a decade of training wrestling, blindfolded, saves your life.  That’s what Spartan CEO Joe De Sena and SpartanUp Combat Series host Ryan Warner talk about in...

Strategies to Light Up 2021 with Jarod&Yancy / DEKA from 2020-12-31T10:30

“Keep climbing and stop whining,” says Jarod Cogswell, co-host of the SpartanUp DEKA Series. “Keep climbing and stop whining,” says Jarod Cogswell, co-host of the...

What is the Equation for Happiness? Mo Gawdat and Joe De Sena from 2020-12-29T09:30

Mo Gawdat, today’s guest on Spartan Up, tells Joe De Sena happiness, like fitness, is something you can build.  He’s the author of "Solve for Happy'' and former C...

How to Track Personal Growth in 2021 with Olympian Jake Herbert / COMBAT from 2020-12-26T10:30

Exercise is like the magic pill. You’ll get better sleep. You’re testosterone will go up. You’re going to look and feel better. All because of exercise, says Olym...

Should you run naked? Here's what Ultra Runner Patrick Sweeney Says / ENDURANCE from 2020-12-24T10:30

“If you want to identify your running inefficiencies, run naked” says ultra-marathon runner Patrick Sweeney, who talks with SpartanUp Podcast Endurance Series hos...

What happens in your brain when you do hard things? Joe De Sena asks Lisa Feldman Barrett Ph.D. from 2020-12-22T09:30

We've been telling you for YEARS to do hard things.  Today Joe De Sena, our show host and the founder and CEO of Spartan, asks neuroscientist, psychologist, and U...

Keep Riding into Your 50's advice from Tinker Juarez / LA RUTA from 2020-12-19T10:30

This interview is dedicated to our gracious, enthusiastic, and gone too soon series host Roy Wallack. Rest in peace.

“The best social security is to keep on riding.”
 
Tinker ...

How to Stay Motivated with "the Engine," Sam Briggs / DEKA from 2020-12-17T10:30

One of the most decorated CrossFit athletes of all time - Sam Briggs - talks with Spartan Up podcast DEKA series hosts Jarog Cogswell and Yancy Culp about:...

When Should Pain Stop You? With Dr. Sean Pastuch and Joe De Sena from 2020-12-15T09:30

Pain is inevitable, right?  But how do you distinguish between the pain you should push through and the pain that's a red flag?  Dr. Sean Pastuch, founder of Acti...

Escaping the American Dream with Rollie Peterkin / COMBAT from 2020-12-12T10:30

When you leave a high-paying job on Wall Street to fight MMA professionally in Peru. That’s the decision Rollie Peterkin (@rolliepeterkin - Twitter)  made - our g...

Smiles for Miles with Ultra Runner Patrick Sweeney/ ENDURANCE from 2020-12-10T10:30

Imagine running the Chicago marathon and then running to New York - spanning 22 days - to compete in the NYC Marathon. That’s the kind of runner that Patrick Swee...

The Whistleblower who Walked Away with Over 100 Million Dollars from 2020-12-08T09:30

He went to the DOJ. He testified to congress.  He went to the IRS. Instead of a "thank you," they threw him in jail!  But that wasn't the end of the story.  Next,...

Are You Running with Responsibility? Meghan Hicks / TRAIL from 2020-12-05T10:30

Meghan Hicks says “Don’t put on a race or don’t sponsor racers unless you are ready to sponsor women who perform at the same level as their male counterparts.” Hicks tells Spartan Up Podcast Tra...

The Origins of a Champion - Mountain Biker Tinker Juarez / LA RUTA from 2020-12-03T10:30

“I chased the pain,” says mountain biking legend Tinker Juarez (@dtinkerj), who has spent nearly 40 years atop the world of cycling.  Spartan Up La Ruta series ho...

Former Colts Player Curt Maggitt on Life, the NFL and Spartan / with Joe De Sena from 2020-12-02T09:30

What defines you? Is it your origins? What you've overcome? What you've achieved? Who you are becoming? By any measure, Curt Maggitt is a champion. We met Curt, a former NFL Colts player, at the...

UPDATE: What You Need to Know NOW about COVID-19 with Kyle Enfield MD and Joe De Sena from 2020-11-30T09:30

Did you listen to the "Spartan Up!" interview with Ivor Cummins? Joe Desena interviewed the biochemical engineer and complex problem-solving specialist about what popular messaging got wrong abo...

How Wrestling Informed this Investor's Recruiting Strategy / COMBAT from 2020-11-28T10:30

Private Equity is about building great teams to evaluate talent and in turn risk.  Mike McMullan is a private equity investor, and formerly was a 4x All American ...

How Joe Decker Found the Fountain of Youth / ENDURANCE from 2020-11-26T10:30

Fitness is the fountain of youth! Joe Decker - former Guinness World’s Fittest Man and Death Race legend - talks with Spartan Up Endurance series host Johnny Wait...

Unlock the Power of Your Hormones / Alisa Vitti and Joe De Sena from 2020-11-24T09:30

What works to optimize your biology? Alisa Vitti, hormone expert, has made it her life's work to find out. In her conversation with Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena, she explains how and why ...

What to Eat During Your Next Race with Louise Kobin / LA RUTA from 2020-11-21T10:30

What does a 4x La Ruta endurance mountain bike race champion eat during a race? Louise "La Ruta Lou" Kobin shares tips on diet for performance with our Spartan Up La Ruta series host Roy Wallack...

Live Like a Titan with Hunter McIntyre / DEKA from 2020-11-19T10:30

If your life was a movie, would you change the channel? That’s the question Hunter McIntyre wants you to ask yourself every day.

Listen

Does your blood hold the secret to health? / Dr. Gil Blander&Joe De Sena from 2020-11-17T09:30

Dr. Gil Blander, the founder of InsideTracker, has created a system to unlock the information hidden in your blood. Today on Spartan Up Podcast he tells Joe De Se...

The Moment You Turn Pro / COMBAT from 2020-11-14T10:30

“The moment I had the courage to be completely honest with myself”….that’s when things started to change for Sarah Hildebrandt, our guest today on Spartan Combat....

How Joe Decker used GOALS to go from homeless to World's Fittest Man / ENDURANCE from 2020-11-12T10:30

At age 27, Joe Decker was out of shape and out of hope.  He was an alcoholic and drug addict who had just hit rock bottom. Three years later, Joe broke the Guinne...

Change Your Relationship with Food / Joe De Sena&Kevin Curry from 2020-11-10T10:30

Fit Men Cook founder Kevin Curry joins Joe De Sena (Spartan Race founder & CEO) to talk about how Kevin changed his relationship with food.

Light up the Planet / DEKA from 2020-11-07T10:30

If you want to make a change, start with a single person. In an age of more is better - more likes, downloads or views - Todd Durkin talks with hosts Jarog Cogswe...

Do this when you hit the wall! / TRAIL from 2020-11-05T10:30

Runners, when you hit the wall, Meghan Hicks suggests these two tips to push through.
She would know, she’s run over 60 trail races and ultras, won and won the Marathon des Sables. ...

When she learned the truth about "diet" soda everything changed! from 2020-11-03T11:30

Hooked on Sugar? How about "diet" sodas? Kara Goldin, founder of hint water and author of the new book Undaunted, fell for the advertising. For years she believed...

Did they Get This Wrong About COVID?/ Joe De Sena&Ivor Cummins from 2020-11-02T11:00

Biochemical Engineer and Complex Problem Solving Specialist Ivor Cummins talks about the conclusions he's come to based on Covid data. At Spartan, we do the hard things. Today that means tacklin...

There's No One to Save You, How to Prepare for an Expedition/ ENDURANCE from 2020-10-31T09:30

Ben Friberg, extreme endurance paddler talks with Johnny Waite, of Spartan Up Podcast, about how to prepare for the really big, self-supported, expedition-style adventures where you will be trul...

Pain is Easy to Forget / LA RUTA from 2020-10-29T09:30

Pain is easy to forget, says Louise Kobin, 4x La Ruta race winner.  In this episode, our first in the La Ruta series, Louise and Spartan Up La Ruta series host Ro...

You Should Be Breathing Through Your Nose! Journalist James Nestor Explains from 2020-10-27T08:30

James Nestor, author of the hugely popular book "Breath" explains his deep research. Should you be breathing through your nose?  The answer is YES!  Today on the ...

How Losing a Loved-one Motivated Gabe Dean's Return to the Mat / COMBAT from 2020-10-24T09:30

Spartan Combat athlete Gabe Dean (@DabeGean) discusses his comeback to the mat, and how the passing of a family member helped motivate his return.

 ...

How to keep driving when life throws you a Curveball / DEKA from 2020-10-22T09:30

Adapting to drastic life changes Ryan KentRyan Kent (instagram: dr0p_the_hammer) was a full-time,...

Are your Instincts Holding you Back? Joe De Sena interviews Rebecca Heiss, PhD from 2020-10-20T08:30

Evolution has left you with two basic drives - to survive and to procreate, but evolutionary biologist Rebecca Heiss, Ph.D. tells Joe De Sena how understanding th...

How to Take On Your First Trail Race / TRAIL from 2020-10-17T09:30

How do you find the motivation to start your first trail race? Tune-in to hear professional, ultra-racer Mike Wardian (@mikewardian) tackle this question.  Mike h...

Building an Expedition Support Crew / ENDURANCE from 2020-10-15T09:30

What goes into success in an expedition or adventure race? One huge element is your support crew. Spartan Up endurance host Johnny Waite talks to Ben Friberg, who...

Addicted to Tech? An Expert Explains How to Overcome It / Adam Alter and Joe De Sena from 2020-10-13T09:30

How many hours a day do you need to use your feet to get to your phone? One? Two? zero? Adam Alter, author of "Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and ...

How to Overcome Self-Doubt with a Six-Time Team USA Wrestler / COMBAT from 2020-10-10T11:13:22

Kat Shai is a 6x Team USA member for women’s wrestling,  She’s competing at the national tournament this weekend, aiming to make the 2021 Olympic team. In this ep...

Improve Your Daily Discipline with Todd Durkin / DEKA from 2020-10-08T09:30

Welcome to the DEKA series here on the SpartanUp podcast. Professional trainer Todd Durkin talks about that all important moment when you don’t ‘feel’ like doing ...

Sex is the third pillar of wellness / Cindy Eckert&Joe De Sena from 2020-10-06T09:00

Cindy Eckert has seen incredible success in the pharmaceutical industry challenging the boys club with the “little pink pill.” She and Joe De Sena talk about the ...

TRAIL / Navigating Mid-Race Rough Patches from 2020-10-03T09:30

Michael Wardian is the first guest on our new Spartan Up Trail running series, Michael is a professional marathon and ultra-marathon racer. He’s set world records...

Eat These Foods During Your Next Ultra / ENDURANCE from 2020-10-01T09:30

Back again, Courtney Dauwalter shares her diet / meal-plan for an ultra-endurance race. 

About Courtney: Co...

Real Life Lessons from Ancient Greeks / Ryan Holiday&Joe De Sena from 2020-09-29T08:30

Ryan Holiday studies the place where ancient Greek philosophy meets current day high achievers with books like "Lives of the Stoics," "Ego is the Enemy," "The Obstacle is the Way," and "Stillnes...

How to Build Winning Teams with Army Wrestling Coach Kevin Ward //Spartan Combat from 2020-09-26T14:53:08

Kevin Ward received a master class in team-building, while working under legendary, Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith.  Now, Kevin is the head coach at Ar...

ENDURANCE/ How to Grow Your Endurance with Courtney Dauwalter 591 from 2020-09-24T09:30

Courtney Dauwalter is an ultra-marathon racing champion. She was named Ultra Runner of the Year in 2018, and has won some of the most prestigious races in the end...

Arianna Huffington: Burnout Is Real with Host Joe De Sena from 2020-09-22T08:30

While building the incredibly successful Huffington Post Arianna Huffington suddenly collapsed. The diagnosis - burnout.  Yes, burnout is a real, medical conditio...

DEKA / How to Lead YOURSELF - Act it to Be it with Alicia Streger from 2020-09-19T09:30

Business, fitness and leadership coach Alicia Streger joins Yancy Culp and Jarod Cogswell on the DEKA series of Spartan Up. Fitness pro Alicia Streger drives home...

Travis&Mark Macy - Eco-Challenge vs Alzheimer's with host Joe De Sena from 2020-09-15T08:30

Ultrarunning father & son Travis & Mark Macy were excited about the return of  Eco-Challenge Fiji and planned to race - Travis on a younger competitive team, Mark...

The Most Challenging Year of My Life with Mike Amine / COMBAT from 2020-09-12T09:30

Mike Amine is the CEO and president of Wealth Strategies Financial Group. He was an NCAA runner-up in 1988 and competed for a spot on the US greco team in 1992. I...

ENDURANCE / Tales from the Amazon Eco Challenge from 2020-09-10T09:30

Deanna Blegg is our guest for this week’s Spartan Endurance episode. Deanna breaks-down the Amazon Eco-Challenge, as well as her background in competitive racing....

Advice from the Ultimate Brain Hacker Jim Kwik with Joe De Sena from 2020-09-08T08:30

As a kid Jim Kwik was the “the kid with the broken brain,” but through curiosity and sheer will he learned to hack his own brain and today is recognized as one of...

DEKA / The Origin Story with Joe De Sena from 2020-09-05T09:30

Welcome to the DEKA series here on the SpartanUp podcast. On today’s episode Jarod and Yancy interview Spartan CEO and founder, Joe De Sena. In this episode you’l...

ENDURANCE / How to Choose a Team for Your Next Endurance Event from 2020-09-03T09:30

Deana Blegg is our guest for this week’s Spartan Endurance episode. Deanna recently competed in the Amazon Eco-Challenge Fiji. She’s a veteran endurance racer and...

Does Quitting make you More Likely to Quit? Joe De Sena asks neurosurgeon Dr. Mark McLaughlin from 2020-09-01T08:30

A brain surgeon, author, and wrestling coach Dr. McLaughlin knows how obstacles affect your body & mind. He explains the science behind quitting and its effects o...

Embrace Discomfort //Spartan Combat from 2020-08-29T09:30

Matt McDonough is a 2x NCAA champion for the University of Iowa and a 3x All American. In this episode, we talk about embracing discomfort for the sake of your go...

How to Win the Caring Game / DEKA from 2020-08-27T09:30

Welcome to the DEKA series here on the SpartanUp podcast. Chris Hinshaw is our guest for episode two. For those of you who missed episode one, Chris is one of the...

What Data tells us About Optimal Performance with WHOOP's Will Ahmed&Joe De Sena from 2020-08-25T08:30

Should you eat before bed? What’s the best time to train hard? What’s the simplest way to improve sleep? Can respiration rate changes identify COVID 19? Listen

Why You Should Cross -Train to Build Endurance // Spartan Endurance from 2020-08-22T09:30

Welcome to the Spartan Endurance series here on the SpartanUp podcast.  Our second episode features Patty Alcivar, who is a competitive racer, mountainee...

How to Improve Workout Consistency / DEKA from 2020-08-20T09:30

Welcome to the Spartan DEKAFIT series here on the SpartanUp podcast.  Our first guest is Chris Hinshaw, who is one of the top coaches in the world, a former profe...

The Two Essentials to Success  with Ed Mylett&Joe De Sena from 2020-08-18T08:30

Ed Mylett is one of the fifty wealthiest individuals under fifty - what has been his strategy? In this episode, Joe De Sena challenges you to find the two essential elements.  In Ed’d life he fi...

When Visualization Becomes Detrimental to Performance//SPARTAN COMBAT ep 013 from 2020-08-15T09:30

J Jaggers is the associate head wrestling coach at Ohio State.  He’s a former 2x NCAA champion and has coached the Buckeyes since 2010. In this episode, we talk a...

How to Spend 16 Days on a Mountain // Spartan Endurance ep 001 from 2020-08-13T09:30

Welcome to the Spartan Endurance series here on the SpartanUp podcast.  Our first guest is Patty Alcivar, who is a competitive racer, mountaineer and boxer. She’s...

The Secret Formula for Success / Joe De Sena&the Supercoffee Brothers from 2020-08-12T00:51:46

Mom would send them off to Kindergarten with a uniquely motivating message: Kick Today’s A**! The DeCCio brothers, Jake, Jim, and Jordan credit her two-part strat...

What’s your Spartan Story? Joe De Sena wants to know. from 2020-08-05T10:27:56

When you run a Spartan Race, do you look around and wonder about everyone else’s story? Why are they racing? What brought them here? Is this their first race our ...

One Leadership Principle to Improve Performance //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 012 from 2020-08-01T09:30

Brian Ferentz is the offensive coordinator for the University of Iowa Football team.  His father, Kirk, is one of the most successful college coaches of all time....

I finally got Joe Rogan! Here's the Story from 2020-07-29T08:30

Every time we ask you "who do you want on the Spartan Up podcast" your answer is Joe Rogan. We finally got him! Here's the story of the 6 year journey AND the que...

The Packaged Food Challenge Joe De Sena&Joshua Spodek  from 2020-07-22T10:44:02

How much trash do you create? Professor Joshua Spodek tells Joe De Sena he had been eating packaged food with every meal of his life. One day he decided to take r...

The search for a science-based secret to managing your energy / Joe De Sena&Josh Clemente from 2020-07-15T13:37:18

Every individual responds differently to what they eat. We all know eating a healthy diet is important, but what is happening on a chemical level inside our bodie...

The Biggest Upset of All Time //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 011 from 2020-07-11T09:30

This week’s episode features an audio documentary - Assembly Fall - produced by our host Ryan Warner.  The audio documentary is about the biggest upset in Illinoi...

Busting stereotypes and Running Ultras with The Mirnavator! from 2020-07-08T08:30

What does an Ultra Runner look like? Sometimes it looks like Mirna Valerio! Mirna, “The Mirnavator,” is busting expectations and stereotypes and she’s on a missio...

How to Improve Your Mental Climate //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 010 from 2020-07-04T11:42:47

Mark Schwab is the former wrestling coach for the Big 10 power Minnesota Gopher wrestling team.  In this episode, Mark talks about having a ‘healthy mental climat...

How to set and Achieve Audacious Goals with Unbreakable Leadership’s Tyler Jack Harris&Joe De Sena from 2020-07-01T09:34:57

Tyler Jack Harris set an insane goal, to sell almost three times the number of policies a great salesperson would in a year. Then he did it, for three years strai...

The 10k Hour Rule //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 009 from 2020-06-27T17:29:41

Phil Davis is the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion and is currently fighting out of San Diego.  In this episode we talk about Phil’s background in wrest...

Back from Death C.T. Fletcher Tells Joe De Sena to Live! from 2020-06-23T09:53:51

6x Powerlifting champion C.T. Fletcher is the original Iron Addict - invincible - indestructible - unbreakable. The tough-talking, weight lifting inspiration to an entire generation has flatline...

Alaskan Fishing Boat to UFC Hall of Famer//SPARTAN COMBAT ep 008 from 2020-06-20T09:30

Clay Guida is a UFC fighter with wins over Nate Diaz, Anthony Petis and RDA. He’s the former Strikeforce World Champion and is set to fight in his 30th UFC fight ...

The Single Best Way to Improve Your Nutrition - Sprouts / Doug Evans&Joe De Sena from 2020-06-15T21:02:04

Spartans, there are many challenges in this world that don’t have a clear solution, this one does! The importance of food security and good nutrition has never been more obvious than in the last...

Taking Your Opponent to Deep Waters //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 007 from 2020-06-13T08:30

Forrest Molinari is a 2x member of Team USA for our women’s wrestling team.  She’s vying for a spot on the 2021 Olympic Team. She was fifth at both the 2018 and 2...

Courageous Conversations: How to Talk About Race with Kwame Christian and Dr. Lara Pence from 2020-06-11T01:18:56

A 3 step framework. In life, there are countless opportunities to have hard conversations. Whether we are confronting a friend who is struggling with unhealthy behaviors, giving a review to some...

How Iranian Refugee Patrick Bet-David is building his own American Dream an interview with Joe De Sena from 2020-06-03T08:30

Patrick was 10 when his family fled Iran as refugees, and now owns one of the biggest privately held insurance companies there is. Patrick Bet-David and Joe De Sena talk today about the value of...

Scientifically proven better sleep and less stress Andrew Huberman, PhD + Joe De Sena from 2020-05-26T09:43:08

Andrew Huberman, PhD runs a neurobiology lab at Stanford University and talks today with Joe De Sena about the brain science behind many of our moods and behavior...

Sticker Mule Co-Founder on Life Principles for Success //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 006 from 2020-05-23T09:30

Anthony Constantino is the co-founder of Sticker Mule, one of the fastest growing internet companies. They count Microsoft,...

Hannah Eden and Joe De Sena talk Fitness from 2020-05-19T08:30

Fitness entrepreneur Hannah Eden, founder of PumpFit, arrived in America with a wild, dark destructive party streak. When she found CrossFit she was able to translate that obsessive behavior int...

Avoiding Mental Pitfalls //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 005 from 2020-05-16T09:30

Gene Zanetti is the founder and CEO of Wrestling Mindset, a mindset training company that works with wrestlers of all ages (youth - Olympians) to fine-tune the co...

Mini: What Goes Wrong when we Compare Ourselves to Others / MIND from 2020-05-13T10:25:33

Our society really struggles with comparison. We scan and we scroll through the social feeds of others and often wind up putting ourselves in a position of compar...

Dan Gable: I Needed That Loss // SPARTAN COMBAT ep 004 from 2020-05-09T09:30

Dan Gable is the most popular American wrestler of all time. As a wrestler, he was undefeated through high school and college before losing his last collegiate ma...

Mother's Day Special with Janine Shepherd Resiliency Coach&the Spartan Up Team from 2020-05-08T19:11:34

On this special Mother's Day episode Joe De Sena talks with Janine Shepherd. She was training with the Australian Ski Team, positioned to be headed towards the Ol...

Mini: The Importance of Your Contribution with Dr. Lara Pence from 2020-05-06T10:50:51

Each and every one of us is on this planet for a reason, and we all have a unique contribution to make. In today’s climate of comparison, we can often get caught up in what others are doing and ...

The World’s Strongest One Armed Man Logan Aldridge from 2020-05-05T08:30

At 13 years of age Logan lost his arm in a wakeboarding accident - has that limited his life? Nope- not at all! You may not be able to control the adversity you f...

Learning to Walk Again //SPARTAN COMBAT ep 003 from 2020-05-02T09:30

Mike Barwis is a strength and conditioning guru. He’s trained Olympic athletes in over 40 sports, works with pro teams such as the Red Wings and Mets, and is the ...

Kwame Christian How to Negotiate Everything - Live ZOOM recording from 2020-05-01T09:30

Kwame Christian is a master negotiator, and he is all about helping you become one too. He is the bestselling author of "No One Will Play With Me - Finding Confid...

Mini: How to Get Things in Control with Dr. Lara Pence / MIND from 2020-04-29T12:08

When things feel really out of our control, we often move into a position of helplessness. We can operate from a victim mindset, throw our hands up, and believe that we’ve got zero power. The tr...

James Altucher and Joe De Sena: What are They Doing Now? from 2020-04-28T09:30

Entrepreneur, chess master and angel investor James has had a number of great successes, used his winnings and then found himself back at zero again. Each of these times he used his creativity a...

Even Olympians Have Self-Doubt // SPARTAN COMBAT ep 002 from 2020-04-25T09:30

Do you ever sit and wonder if the elite among us experience self-doubt? I know I do and on this episode we talk with 2008 Olympian Andy Hrovat about a trying 14-m...

Fear is Nothing to Fear with Kristen Ulmer - Live Zoom recording from 2020-04-24T09:52:21

Kristen Ulmer knows a lot about fear. As one of the top extreme skiers in the world, Kristen has stared at death and dropped in anyway. But she says her scariest time ever was when she thought h...

Mini: Building Mental Flexibility from 2020-04-23T12:55:18

We train our bodies and focus on flexibility so that we prevent injury, recover better, and perform at our optimum. But we must also build mental flexibility for the same reason: It prevents us ...

How Spartan is Facing Challenge: Joe De sena, Carola Jain&Mike Lunardeli from 2020-04-21T08:30

The world is facing a new paradigm and as a global events / racing company we at Spartan have had to pivot and pivot quickly to adapt. Today Joe De Sena, our host...

Define Your Ethos // SPARTAN COMBAT ep 001 from 2020-04-18T09:30

Learn how to build and define your personal philosophy with the Iron Cowboy, James Lawrence. James completed 50 Ironman distance races in 50 states in 50 days.  A...

Mark Divine talks readiness for VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous ) Times from 2020-04-17T09:00

From our Live Zoom chat: There is a reason Mark Divine is one of the rare podcast guests we have featured twice! He is “an expert in human performance as it is di...

Mini: Getting Less Isolated with Dr. Lara Pence from 2020-04-15T08:30

Social isolation can lead to some super unhealthy patterns that we have to be careful of falling into. It can always have a profound impact on our mood and our wi...

Mike Wardian | The Guy That Won the Quarantine Backyard Ultra (and some other BIG races) from 2020-04-14T11:17:02

Legendary ultra-runner Mike Wardian is back on Spartan Up! Last time he had just broken the fastest 50K on a treadmill while on the Spartan Cruise. He holds the r...

Mark Metry on Overcoming Social Anxiety / Interview with Joe De Sena from 2020-04-08T09:44:41

We are all feeling isolated right now - but that will end. Mark tells Joe De Sena about the tools he used to change his trajectory. As a young boy Mark moved to the U.S. with his family from Egy...

Mini: Learn to Communicate Better with Dr. Lara Pence from 2020-04-02T08:30

Communication is so important in getting our own needs met and effectively assisting others. When we experience stress or during times of uncertainty, our communi...

This 98 Year Old Has the Perspective You Need Right Now - Dan Crowley from 2020-03-31T16:05:47

You may be feeling the challenge. This interview with Dan Crowley, Bataan Death March survivor, will remind you that we must as a culture reframe our frame of reference. Yes, this time has limit...

Mini: The Value of Interdependence with Dr. Lara Pence from 2020-03-26T11:07:45

Listen

Marko Cheseto - The World's Fastest (happiest) Double Amputee from 2020-03-25T12:41:49

Marko Cheseto is one of the happiest people I've ever met! He came from Kenya to Alaska on a running scholarship, but while he was there he lost both legs to fros...

UPDATE - How to overcome this COVID-19 crisis - Stay STRONG, SAFE, PRODUCTIVE&POSITIVE! from 2020-03-20T11:16:38

Obstacle immunity is a credo of this community and together we will adapt and overcome! Now more than ever we need to be positive and beacons to those around us. ...

Mini: Building Resilience Around Stress with Dr. Lara Pence from 2020-03-18T09:30

Dr. Lara Pence says: Stress is something that we all encounter and learning how to be resilient to stress can be one of your most important skills. It’s important to remember and consider that s...

Mark Pattison from NFL to 7 Summits from 2020-03-17T11:54:27

Mark Pattison was catching touchdown passes in the last minutes of games to stadiums of 100,000 plus thousand people. Playing football at a high level taught him ...

A Spartan's guide to facing crisis&COVID-19 - Be safe, strong&productive from 2020-03-13T23:16:15

Advice from 20 EXPERTS in medicine, mindset, food, business and mindfulness. To the Spartan Community, globally we are faci...

Mini: Moving Fear into Confidence with Dr. Lara Pence from 2020-03-11T08:30

One of the best ways to build confidence is to utilize your fear of something and move through it with courage. Although some believe that courage is the absence of fear, this couldn’t be furthe...

Questions&Answers with Joe De Sena from 2020-03-10T08:30

Have a question for Joe or anyone on the Spartan Up team? Here is your opportunity. Voice message or text 1.917.924.3002 and we’ll answer the best questions in an...

Mini: Listening for Learning with Dr. Lara Pence from 2020-03-04T09:30

Host Dr. L says: There is a saying that God Gave Us Two Ears and One Mouth for a Reason. The notion: That we were born to listen more than we were to talk. In today’s society, the ever-present s...

David Meltzer talks Relationship Capital with Joe De Sena from 2020-03-03T09:30

Doctor, Lawyer or failure - those were the 3 options David Meltzer's mother laid out for his future. After seeing his mother’s financial struggles, he picked a fourth - RICH. Straight out of the...

Mini: Why You Choke from 2020-02-28T09:30

Guest host Patrick Sweeney, the Fear Guru, is back for week 4. Now it's time to use neuroscience for peak performance. It doesn't matter if your career is on the line, or you're playing for the ...

Mini: Making a Morning Routine that Works with Dr. Lara Pence from 2020-02-26T09:30

The morning is one of the most important times of the day. It’s when we set our intentions, decide what tasks require our time and energy, and establish a foundation of perspective that will gui...

Raul Villacis tells his secret to regaining your EDGE with Joe De Sena from 2020-02-25T09:30

Being left behind at a young age by parents searching to create a better life might be what drove Raul Villacis to become a real estate millionaire… but with that...

Mini: The Fear Guru tells you how to Own Your Day from 2020-02-21T09:30

Guest host Patrick Sweeney, the Fear Guru, is back for week 3. How can you own your day, every day? With a morning routine. In this episode Patrick shares the morning routine he’s optimized sinc...

Mini: The three "C"s of Success with Dr. Lara Pence from 2020-02-19T09:30

When you’ve got something big on the horizon that matters to you - a race, a presentation at work, a meeting with your boss - it’s important to go into it with a strategy in mind so that you can...

The first female coach in the NFL: Dr. Jen Welter w/ Joe De Sena from 2020-02-18T09:30

Jen Welter became the first female coach in the NFL. How do you achieve a goal when there is no roadmap? A commitment to greatness in each moment. “ if Listen

Mini: What are your FEAR “tells”? from 2020-02-14T09:30

Guest host Patrick Sweeney, the Fear Guru, is back for week 2.  Now that you know that the survival instinct is driven by the amygdala, our 2 million-year-old ope...

Mini: Giving Great Advice with Dr. L from 2020-02-12T09:30

Host Dr. L says: Undoubtedly, you will be asked in your lifetime to give advice. This may come from a family member, a friend, a colleague, or perhaps even a stranger. What’s important to rememb...

How Alex Ferreira won ANOTHER GOLD at Xgames / with Joe De Sena from 2020-02-11T09:30

How do you go from being the worst kid on the team to a 2018 Olympic silver medalist and two time XGames Gold medalist? Freestyle skier Alex Ferreira tells Joe De...

Mini: FEAR and how it affects your decisions from 2020-02-07T09:30

Guest host Patrick Sweeney, the Fear Guru, answers the questions: are you hardwired to respond to threats with a fight, flight or freeze reaction? How does that s...

Mini: Battling Self-Doubt / Spartan MIND from 2020-02-05T09:30

Like many of the concepts we discuss on Spartan MIND, self-doubt is one that we can all relate to because we ALL have elements of self-doubt. Some of us struggle with more self-doubt than others...

How Whole30 Started / Joe De Sena Interviews Melissa Hartwig Urban from 2020-02-04T09:30

Melissa Hartwig Urban created the WHOLE30. What you may not know is the story behind it. At a young age Melissa experienced trauma that later fueled an addiction to drugs. Later she found sobrie...

Mini: Holding Yourself Accountable / Spartan MIND from 2020-01-29T09:30

Dr. L says: Keeping yourself accountable is a skill that many people often have to practice and refine over time. There are a few steps that you can take to ensure that you hold yourself account...

Joe De Sena Interviews Jeff Vernon | Disrupting the Running Industry from 2020-01-28T09:30

Jeff Vernon learned grit and perseverance as a kid in the family business. Those lessons carried him through a series of entrepreneurial successes and brought him...

Mini: Give Yourself Compassion / Spartan MIND from 2020-01-22T09:30

Dr. L says: Life is short. It’s important to get the most out of life that you can and dive into all the adventure and awesomeness that sits at your feet. AND it’s critical that along the way we...

Kara Goucher Interview | Running, from the Olympics to the Trails from 2020-01-21T09:30

Kara Goucher is a true legend of the running world, from competing in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, to a bronze medal at the 2007 World Athletics Cross Country...

Mini: Checking in With Your Mind / Spartan MIND from 2020-01-15T09:30

Dr. L says: It’s important that you are consistently and frequently checking in with yourself, and there are a couple of different areas, in particular, that migh...

Mike Bledsoe | Why He Left the Strength Biz for the MIND Biz from 2020-01-14T09:30

Mike Bledsoe walked away from the success he earned in the fitness industry as part of Barbell Shrugged to look inward. He is now focused on how mindset influences your performance. By looking a...

Mini: Become the Hero in Your Own Life with Dr. L from 2020-01-08T09:30

Spartan Up co-host Dr. L says: Often, we look outside of ourselves for motivation and inspiration, but if we dig deep enough we typically have everything we need inside of ourselves to make chan...

Daddy Saturday's Justin Batt on Spartan Up Podcast from 2020-01-07T09:30

What’s the one thing we could do to improve the future? Raise better young people. Facilitate better parenting. Our country faces an epidemic of “fatherlessness.” Whether due to a father figure ...

Mini: New Year’s Resolution / Spartan MIND from 2020-01-02T09:30

Dr. L, Spartan's chief Mind doc, says: This is the time of year when many of us dive quickly into the pool of New Year’s Resolutions. Whether you like the word resolution or not, it’s helpful to...

Race to the first gate: Chris Waddell and Joe De Sena on Spartan Up Podcast from 2019-12-31T09:30

It’s not about what happens to you - but what you do with what happens to you. Chris Waddell, injured in a skiing accident in college, went on to medal in the 1992, 1994, 1998 and 2002 Winter Pa...

Mini: Learning Optimism: Part Three / Spartan MIND from 2019-12-25T09:30

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...

Josh Crosby&Joe De Sena | Voracious Rower from 2019-12-24T09:30

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?” Jo...

Mini: You Can Learn Optimism: Part Two / Spartan MIND from 2019-12-18T09:30

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 ...

Define Your Own Path with Laura Gassner Otting&Joe De Sena from 2019-12-17T09:30

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...

Mini: You can Learn Optimism (pt 1) with Dr. L from 2019-12-11T09:30

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 ...

Anthony Trucks | Close the Gap Between Who you Are and Who You Want to Be from 2019-12-10T09:30

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 prog...

Mini: End Indecisiveness / Spartan WAY with Zach Even-Esh and Col Nye from 2019-12-05T09:30

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 missin...

Mini: Dr. L's Spartan Tips for the Holidays / MIND 067 from 2019-12-04T09:30

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 wave...

Brian Johnson tells Joe De Sena how leaders can Serve Profoundly from 2019-12-03T10:30

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” ...

Mini: Holiday stress? Zach and Col Nye have the solutions from 2019-11-29T09:30

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 ...

Mini: Gratitude / Spartan MIND with Dr. L from 2019-11-27T09:30

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 ...

Shay Eskew | Use Humor to Overcome Pain&Scars from 2019-11-26T09:30

When he was just 8 years of age, his friend accidentally lit him on fire. The impact was severe. Undergoing decades of surgeries to treat the 65% of his body now covered in scars, Shay is a true...

Mini: Controlling Your Smart Phone Use / Spartan WAY with guest Joe De Sena from 2019-11-21T09:30

Zach Even-Esh and Joe De Sena (Spartan founder & CEO) ask: Who’s in charge? You or your cell phone? People drive cars looking at their phone instead of the road. People look at their phones whil...

Ben Greenfield&Joe De Sena | Your Body is a BATTERY from 2019-11-19T09:30

Ben Greenfield is a longtime friend of the Spartan community and is one of the most well recognized and respected names in the health, fitness & nutrition sectors. On this episode of Spartan Up ...

Rick Lamb | Warrior / Husband / Father: Lessons Learned&Earned from 2019-11-11T09:30

With this episode, we honor all veterans, and at the same time share the incredible lessons, valuable in all walks of life, this one leader has distilled from a life of service. In honor of Vete...

Mini: Work Smarter or Harder? / Spartan WAY from 2019-11-07T09:30

Hosts Zach Even-Esh and Joe De Sena talk with up and coming wrestler Ray Jaz about the difference between working smart and working hard. So many people talk about working smarter, NOT harder. W...

Mini: Building Mental Endurance // Spartan MIND from 2019-11-06T09:30

Host Dr. L says: Though we often talk about endurance from a physical point of view, building mental endurance is just as important. It’s important that we stretch what we think we can do and wo...

Running Legends Camille Herron, Mike Wardian, Ian Sharman, Terry Chiplin, Kara Goucher, Peter Maksimow from the ATP Science stage at #SpartanMediaFest with moderator Johnny Waite from 2019-11-05T09:30

What do these legends, some of the world’s top distance and trail runners, think about the growing adoration for the primal sport of trail running? Trail runners ...

Mini: Crush Your Negative Self Talk / Zach Even-Esh&Gabe Dean from 2019-10-31T08:30

Why do we catch ourselves falling into negative talk or self-doubt at times? How do we fix this? In this episode, Zach Even-Esh talks with four-time NCAA All American Wrestler and Cornell Coach ...

Mini: It’s Ok to Suck / Spartan MIND from 2019-10-30T09:30

Dr. L says we are a culture obsessed with expertise. We are in a constant hustle of one-up-manship and forgetting that we can find tremendous wisdom in not being the best. Sometimes when we give...

Your Personal Board of Directors and Disruptors / Joe De Sena, Amelia Boone, Joe Polish, Eric Byrnes, Jared Easley and Anders Varner on the ATP Science Stage from 2019-10-29T09:30

This special episode features a remarkable panel recorded at Spartan World Media Fest brought to you by ATP Science. Learn to create your own personal board of ad...

Mini: Overwhelmed? Try This. / Spartan WAY from 2019-10-24T09:28:56

Zach Even-Esh is joined by guest Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman to talk about keeping it simple! Do you ever feel overwhelmed? If you do, take a look at your desk / workspace. Take a look at y...

Mini: Parent like a Spartan / Spartan MIND from 2019-10-23T09:37:56

Spartan's "Chief Mind Doc" Dr. L says: Teaching your children to tolerate distress is not an easy task. It requires clear boundaries and firm NOs. It’s not always easy to be firm when your kid’s...

Kevin Ward | How West Point Wrestling Builds Team Culture from 2019-10-22T08:30

Joe De Sena and his family visited the wrestling room at West Point to learn from the ultimate role models in mental and physical toughness. Kevin Ward, head wrestling coach, explains what it ta...

Mini: Stop Analysis Paralysis / Spartan WAY from 2019-10-17T08:30

Zach Even-Esh and Joe De Sena answer a listener question “what would you have done differently starting your businesses?” The answer? Who cares! It’s in the past. Time to move forward.

On...

Mini: Find a Way to Let it Out! / Spartan MIND from 2019-10-16T08:30

Spartan MIND host Dr. L says: We tend to store up emotions in our body. These can be of any kind, the more painful ones like irritation, anger, sadness, or shame, or the more joyous ones like ex...

Derek Fitzgerald | Earning the Heart he Was Given from 2019-10-15T08:30

Recycled man is driven by the need to earn the heart, and second chance, he was granted. A diagnosis of cancer can change everything in your life - learning you need a new heart would cause many...

Mini: F*** The Gym! You Don't Need it / Spartan Way 053 from 2019-10-10T08:30

Zach Even-Esh and Joe De Sena let you know what they think of your excuses. Can't afford the gym? Too long a drive? Don't have time to get there? F*** the gym, Joe & Zach have the answer.

Mini: Own It and Take Responsibility / Spartan MIND 061 from 2019-10-09T09:41:22

Today on Spartan MIND host Dr. L Says: When hype begins to arise around an experience or event, doubt, insecurities, and excuses can settle in simultaneously. These serve as a protective barrier...

A Navy Seal’s Solution - Let go, lock-in, and win | Jason Kuhn from 2019-10-08T08:30

Jason believes that adversity is what builds opportunities to create trust. Whatever you are facing in life, let go of the past, lock-in to the mission in front of you and win the day!
Nav...

Mini: Accountablility // Spartan WAY 52 from 2019-10-03T08:30

Spartan Way host Zach Even-Esh says: I was 19 years old working in a hospital fitness center. I came across a sign that STILL influences me and inspires me to this day! Watch the video so you ca...

Mini: Are there People that Make You Crazy? / Spartan MIND 060 from 2019-10-02T08:30

Dr. Lara Pence says: We are a society of human beings that engage in relationships, look for connection, and are looking for ways that we fit into the pie of community. So it’s no wonder that we...

From cigarette to Spartan to Shark Tank | Kressa Peterson from 2019-10-01T08:30

How did a cigarette at a Spartan race spark a journey that led to an appearance on Shark Tank? Kressa Peterson talks about how she and her husband found Spartan, ...

Mini: Technology Disconnection and Accountability / Spartan WAY 051 from 2019-09-26T08:30

Zach Even-Esh says the way of the world shows that we are MORE connected than ever before thanks to technology, yet we are also FEELING more disconnected & lonely than ever before. Thank you tec...

Mini: Managing Your Time / Spartan MIND 059 from 2019-09-25T08:30

Dr. L says - We are a society that is filled with distractions. And we aren’t very good at taking accountability for our own role in this absent-minded behavior. Time management matters when we’...

Fear vs Opportunity | Patrick Sweeney the Fear Guru from 2019-09-24T08:30

Host Joe De Sena interviews “Fear Guru” Patrick Sweeney on Joe’s Vermont farm during the 2019 “Death Race.”

What are the fears you face in your life? Is it possible that they are holding ...

Mini: Spartan athlete Leigh Anne Wasteney talks about diet and training for elevation / Spartan ATHLETE from 2019-09-20T08:30

Host Matt B Davis talks to Spartan ATHLETE Leigh Anne Wasteney about training for elevation, diet and pre and post race meals.

LESSONS:

• Learning to train for elevation?<...

Mini: Start&Finish The Day STRONG / Spartan WAY 050 from 2019-09-19T08:30

Host Zach Even-Esh says: 1 night during the Summer I went out for a family stroll and we got some ice cream.
It fired me up SO much because I felt that I was ending my day on a WEAK note.<...

Mini: Trusting the Tough Choices / Spartan MIND 058 from 2019-09-18T08:30

Life is filled with tough choices, especially if you are looking to challenge yourself and elevate your own life. We are wired to look for comfort but sometimes the tough choices put us in a pos...

Don't Blame your Smartphone | "Indistractable" author Nir Eyal from 2019-09-17T08:30

Are digital devices, coworkers or social media distracting you? What does it take to channel you action into traction? Nir Eyal works at the intersection of psychology, technology and business t...

Mini: Athlete Ashley Heller / Spartan ATHLETE 024 from 2019-09-13T08:30

Ashley grew up playing sports and competed at the highest levels in track and cross country during college. She’s been on several podiums in the last couple of years, and consistently finishes i...

Mini: The Importance of Being Alone / Spartan MIND 057 from 2019-09-11T08:30

Many people equate being alone with loneliness. But they are not one and the same. We can be alone - with our self and by our self - and still feel very connected to others around us and our sup...

Positivity&Leadership | Pete Cohen from 2019-09-10T08:30

When we think of strength and power, how often do we include the magnetic and influential force of positivity? Pete Cohen has a long and successful track record of turning around some of the bes...

Mini: Spartan Athlete Lindsay Webster / Spartan ATHLETE 023 from 2019-09-06T08:30

Lindsay Webster has won more obstacle racing titles than anyone. She is beating everyone in the field, and usually by several minutes. We talk about her skiing an...

Mini: Be Okay With You / Spartan MIND 056 from 2019-09-04T08:30

Feeling insecure, struggling with self-esteem, and being unsure of whether you’re good enough are all common issues that can arise in your lifetime. It doesn’t make you broken, it just makes you...

Courage in the Face of Horror / War Correspondent Journalist Lara Logan from 2019-09-03T08:30

When you sit at home in the evening and watch horrific recountings of violence happening around the world, have you thought about who is doing the reporting? One must remember the brave souls ri...

Mini: Athlete Alyssa Hawley | Spartan ATHLETE 022 from 2019-08-30T08:30

Alyssa burst onto the OCR scene by winning her home race in Seattle, WA in the fall of 2015. Since then she has seen 40 plus podiums, including 3rd best in the wo...

Mini: Having Hard Conversations / Spartan MIND 055 from 2019-08-28T08:30

Having hard conversations are part of life. Not the part that we always enjoy or look forward to but essential and unavoidable nonetheless. Because of the discomfort associated with hard convers...

Talking with the Dean of Mean | Keith Jardine from 2019-08-27T08:30

Mixed Martial Artist and UFC Champion Keith Jardine, known as the Dean of Mean talks about his relentless spirit in fighting his way to infamy in and out of the ring. Famous for some legendary t...

Mini: Easy, Fast Check-ins for a Healthy Mind / Spartan MIND 053 from 2019-08-21T08:30

We don’t always have the time to do a deep dive to uncover what might be impacting us negatively. Nevertheless, we need to pay attention to the things that are bothering us so that we can unders...

The Magic Pill that Makes you 92% Happier | Andy Ramage from 2019-08-20T08:30

He’s not the first to tell Spartan founder, Joe De Sena, he made it to the pro level of soccer, or that an injury changed his trajectory and set him on a new path. Like many there were successes...

Mini: How to Get Unstuck with the Spartan Up Hosts / Spartan MIND 053 from 2019-08-14T08:30

Everyone has a valuable contribution to make and everyone gets stuck. It’s part of what makes us human. Sometimes what works for one person doesn’t work for everyone. Which is why we’ve brought ...

Green Beret&Olympian (with an asterisk) | Jim Gregory from 2019-08-13T08:30

This week Joe sits down with Jim Gregory a former Green Beret & Olympian (with an asterisk.) Jim didn’t always reach the ultimate goals he set for himself, but he always persisted with confidenc...

Mini: How Spartan Athlete Ryan Atkins thinks about training / Spartan ATHLETE 021 from 2019-08-09T12:04:39

Ryan Atkins is the current Spartan Race Ultra World Champion and the winningest obstacle racer of all time. Ryan talks to Matt B Davis about a winning mindset, how he approaches his weaknesses, ...

Mini: Stress Management / SPARTAN MIND 052 from 2019-08-07T08:30

Stress is a part of life. It’s nearly impossible to avoid. So the goal shouldn’t always be reducing the stress in your life but instead integrating ways to manage your stress and lower the inten...

Todd Herman | Using Alter Egos from 2019-08-06T08:30

If you could be any superhero who would you be? Todd Herman is a mental performance coach that utilizes the strategies inherent with embodying an alter ego to be successful as an athlete on the ...

Mini: Why Does Everybody Quit? / with Joe De Sena from 2019-08-01T08:30

This week Joe De Sena fills in for Zach Even-Esh and talks about commitment. Who do you quit? How can you game your own mind and emotions to stay on track and achieve your goals?

Zach wil...

Visiting Grant Cardone the 10x Guy at his Castle from 2019-07-30T08:30

Considered one of the world’s top sales trainers & real estate investors, Grant is playing in the big leagues. Joe walks with his kettlebell to his castle in the middle of London to talk about l...

Mini: Understanding Confirmation Bias / Spartan MIND 051 from 2019-07-30T08:30

We make thousands of choices in just one day. What we wear, choose to eat, and decide to do are just a tiny few. Micro-decisions are made constantly and it’s important to understand one of the p...

Mini: Why You need a Gratitude Journal / Spartan Way 048 from 2019-07-25T08:30

When life gets busy and tough, we can sometimes focus on what we don’t have. Instead, we need to be grateful for everything we have, including the “obstacles” which are opportunities in hiding.<...

Mini: When You're Overwhelmed / Spartan MIND 050 from 2019-07-24T08:30

Let’s face it. We all experience being overwhelmed. It is a common human experience. But the thing is, there are ways to manage being overwhelmed if you turn your awareness inwards. First, think...

Joe’s original “GRIT” mentor Mo Monaghan from 2019-07-23T08:30

Born in the fields of Ireland, Mo was a guide, teammate and mentor when Joe began adventure racing 20+ years ago. Her ethos are deeply steeped in the foundation and inspiration for Joe to build ...

Mini: Glutathione: the most powerful antioxidant in your body / Spartan HEALTH 037 from 2019-07-21T08:30

Glutathione is not a word that trips off the tongue, but it’s very much worth remembering. It’s a substance that combats the problems related to oxidative stress. Let’s learn more about it.
Listen

Mini: The First Two Minutes / Spartan WAY 047 from 2019-07-18T08:30

The first 2 minutes of something new is often uncomfortable, perhaps scary! Waking up earlier than normal = uncomfortable. But it’s just those first 2 minutes you gotta get through!

Listen

Mini: Why We Blame / Spartan MIND 049 from 2019-07-17T08:30

We all blame. Your spouse gets an earful when you forgot your kids lunchbox, the customer service agent becomes the punching bag when you accidentally deleted you...

257: Don Devany | What Does it Take to Survive the Most Gruelling Race? from 2019-07-16T08:30

The Death Race. Its name alone can be enough to undermine your confidence. An old friend of the podcast, Don Devany has taken the nickname of the Death Race “Taskmaster.” A decade long veteran o...

The Benefits of Zinc // Spartan HEALTH 035 from 2019-07-14T08:30

Like magnesium, zinc is a mineral that’s present in many of the body’s functions. We talked about Magnesium in another episode and if you remember it’s important because it’s involved in many di...

Challenge Others // Spartan WAY 046 from 2019-07-11T08:30

We’re afraid to tell others what they need to do. We’re afraid to tell others to step up and stop being lazy, stop being a clock puncher, stop being average!

LESSONS:

There ...

The Right Way to Plan / Spartan MIND 048 from 2019-07-10T08:30

Yes! There actually is a right way to plan! Whether you are planning to run errands, planning to change your relationship with food, or planning to start a new workout routine, knowing what work...

256: Vince Nance | The Waffle Anarchist from 2019-07-09T08:30

What do cage fighting and gluten free waffles have in common? Vince Nance. Vince and Joe De Sena cook up a great interview that discusses operational leadership, ...

Initiative // Spartan STAND 019 from 2019-07-08T08:30

Brian "Tosh" Chontosh says: Defining what Initiative is seems fairly easy. Now, let’s discuss it from a lack of and where we are responsible for others lacking it. When I find myself frustrated ...

Natural Post Race Kidney Cleanses// Spartan HEALTH 034 from 2019-07-07T08:30

Dr. Nada Milosavljevic MD says: Kidneys take a beating during times of extreme, extended exertion; there are natural ways to give them a bit of support. There's a host of beneficial foods, nutri...

The Beautiful People / Spartan WAY 045 from 2019-07-04T08:30

Zach Even-Esh says: Sometimes, the very thing that you love is also the very thing that can break your heart. Ultimately, you must live your truth.

LESSONS:

I...

Your Pre-Race Mental Checklist / Spartan MIND 047 from 2019-07-03T08:30

Before you head into a race, or any event that means something to you - a job interview, a first date, a meeting with the boss - it’s important to mentally prepare. When you are more mentally pr...

255: Sarah Green Carmichael | The Best of HBR’s Ideas from 2019-07-02T08:30

This week’s guest is full of ideas and has surrounded herself with the best minds for decades. At the time of this interview she was the Executive Editor at Harvard Business Review - hosting the...

Don’t Allow your Mood Majority Vote // Spartan STAND 018 from 2019-07-01T08:30

Brian "Tosh" Chontosh says this is just another way of saying don't be an emotional based decision maker, don't be impulsive, or think about what you are doing / not doing. For me, phrasing it t...

A Better Herb for inflammation&Joints? // Spartan HEALTH 033 from 2019-06-30T08:30

It can be a big help for achy joints and general inflammation in the digestion tract and respiratory system as well. The use of BOSWELLIA resin dates back thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicin...

Find Strength in Solitude // Spartan WAY 044 from 2019-06-27T08:30

Having a team is powerful, but, sometimes, you will be alone, without the team. You must learn to exude strength even when in solitude.

LESSONS:

If you’re following the comm...

Mental Housecleaning // Spartan MIND 046 from 2019-06-26T08:30

Sometimes you can get so caught up in the daily grind and the day-to-day routine that you forget to slow down, pause, and ask yourself, “how does this serve me?” When it comes to our mental ener...

254: Bruce Babashan | Life Lessons from the Boxing Ring from 2019-06-25T08:30

Bruce lives where fighting and business converge. With a background as an executive level headhunter and a youth spent in the boxing gym, he’s translated those tactics into building champions. T...

Keep Up or Catch Up // Spartan STAND 017 from 2019-06-24T08:30

It takes more energy to catch up than it does to simply keep up. This extra expenditure of energy ends up creating a greater deficit which in turn feeds the loop to fall behind yet again.

When Should I buy Organic? // SPARTAN HEALTH 032 from 2019-06-23T08:30

Organic foods are generally more expensive than conventional foods because conventional foods often use substances to accelerate plant and animal growth, protect against insects or increase the ...

Practice Your Excellence// Spartan WAY 043 from 2019-06-20T08:30

Is your work or career just a job? Or, do you truly live the code, being a pro whether you are at work or not?

LESSONS:

If the culture at your work is about kindness and excellence...

Letting Go of Negative Thoughts / Spartan MIND 045 from 2019-06-19T08:30

Our mind is a melting pot of different kinds of thoughts. Joy ones, excited ones, worry ones, hopeful ones, and, yes, negative ones. It is important to be aware of your own negative thoughts bec...

253: Fran Martinez | No Suffering is too Great to Overcome from 2019-06-18T08:30

Fran Martinez tragically lost his son to an undiagnosed illness when he was an infant. In the beginning, the pain seemed too much to bear. In the midst of this his marriage ended. He ran from li...

How Important Is It To Be Consistant? // Spartan STAND 016 from 2019-06-17T08:30

Host Brian "Tosh" Chontosh takes a deeper look at the value of consistency. Everyone should take a moment to go back and dig into the definition of consistency. And on that note, appreciate the ...

Processed Foods - What You Need To Know // SPARTAN HEALTH 031 from 2019-06-16T08:30

Processed foods are foods that are handled and altered in some way before they get to your pantry or refrigerator. The more harmless kinds of processing are things like cutting and peeling a var...

252: Scotty and Tiffany Smiley | Hope Unseen from 2019-06-14T08:30

Major (Retired) Scotty Smiley became the first blind active-duty officer in military history following a face-to-face confrontation with a suicide car bomber in Iraq in 2005. After his injury, S...

Sweep The Sheds / SPARTAN WAY 04 from 2019-06-13T08:30

Sweep the Sheds Comes from the book Legacy, a book written about the New Zealand All Blacks. In order to build a GREAT team, no individual can be too good for something, including sweeping the s...

Understanding Your Anger // SPARTAN MIND 044 from 2019-06-12T08:30

Anger is one of those emotions that few like to acknowledge and even fewer like to talk about. Either way, however, avoiding anger doesn’t mean that it goes away. In fact, the more you understan...

251: Katie Wells | The Wellness Mama from 2019-06-11T08:30

“We were made to do hard things,” is Katie Wells family motto. Her popular website “Wellness Mama" features simple answers for healthier families. Mama to six children, she has found ways to bri...

Are You Looking for the Right Things? // Spartan STAND 015 from 2019-06-10T08:30

It’s fairly obvious that if you look for your car keys or you look for your wallet, you will eventually find your keys and wallet.

When we are riding our mountain bikes and there is dange...

Collagen Supplements: What's the Hype All about? // SPARTAN HEALTH 030 from 2019-06-09T08:30

The popularity of collagen is skyrocketing. It’s especially effective in compensating for problems related to our bones and our skin as we age. Although human beings start out making collagen na...

Steve Jurek // Spartan ATHLETE 020 from 2019-06-07T08:30

Scott Jurek is widely considered one of the best ultra marathoners ever winning Badwater, and Western States multiple times. He also recently broke a speed record for running the entire Appalach...

Can You Deal With Pressure? / SPARTAN WAY 041 from 2019-06-06T08:30

Pressure is a privilege. I first heard this from Tim Grover, the author of Relentless. Tough times and challenges mold us into stronger men and women. Spartans love challenges. Rather than avoid...

Moving Away from the End Product / Spartan MIND 043 from 2019-06-05T08:30

We have become pathologically attached to the end product of things. We focus more on the grade, the paycheck, the medal - all while ignoring the hard work and pr...

250: Eric Byrnes | MLB to Ultra Runner from 2019-06-04T08:30

“It’s the START that stops you” says the electric Eric Byrnes who launched his Major League  Baseball career with a 22 game hitting streak. Byrnes was a player who relied on his speed and hustle...

Whatever You Want Most, Give It First // Spartan STAND 014 from 2019-06-03T08:30

“You’ve got to give respect to get respect.” Well, if everyone is waiting for someone else to give it to them, we will be waiting an awfully long time.

If you share anger, anger gets retu...

Real Benefits of Coconut Oil // SPARTAN HEALTH 029 from 2019-06-02T08:30

Because the word “fat” is associated with being overweight, many people go overboard and think that all fats are bad. But that’s far from the case. Some fats are necessary and … some fats are am...

Readiness! / SPARTAN WAY 040 from 2019-05-30T08:30

Have you ever found yourself being busy yet not productive? In a day and age where too many people are over inundated due to having too much information and too many options, we are afraid to ju...

Evaluating Your Mental Energy / SPARTAN MIND 042 from 2019-05-29T08:30

We can only store and attend to so many things at any given time. Our mental energy actually has a limit. Because of this we need to be intentional on where we invest our mental energy and take ...

249: Major Nicole Alexander | Ballet to the Battleground from 2019-05-28T08:30

Nicole Alexander, Major, U.S. Army Special Operations & PROMOTE Co-Founder, was born with grit and determination. As a young girl she always wanted to be doing as much as possible, which led her...

Leave it ALL Better than You Find It // Spartan STAND 013 from 2019-05-27T08:30

We tend to all be able to appreciate what ‘leaving something better than you found it’ means in a physical sense. Picking up after yourself, picking up trash off the ground, leaving the surround...

The POWER of Onions&Garlic / Spartan HEALTH 028 from 2019-05-26T08:30

Allium vegetables – like onions, garlic, leeks and shallots – have a host of health benefits, including possible reductions in the rates of some cancers. Two of the most commonly used of these v...

Staying Fit as You Age with Amber Klein / Spartan ATHLETE 019 from 2019-05-24T08:30

On this episode, Kevin talks talk with Amber Klein. Amber is a well spoken, well known & passionate high energy Spartan Ambassador for the Spartan Race brand. She truly believes in our mission &...

Don’t Quit Before You Start / SPARTAN WAY 039 from 2019-05-23T08:30

Have you ever talked yourself out of an opportunity for no reason at all? Excuses for no reason at all? Self sabotaging yourself before you’ve even put your feet on the floor is a great recipe f...

Overcoming Insecurity / SPARTAN MIND 041 from 2019-05-22T08:30

Insecurities are just obstacles. Painful, yes. Unfortunate, indeed. Debilitating? Don’t have to be.
An insecurity doesn’t have to be a barrier to the things that you want but if you don’t ...

248: Mara Schiavocampo / Your Food Relationships from 2019-05-21T08:30

One of the most recognized faces of daytime TV, Mara speaks with Joe De Sena in this interview about the perspective gained during her childhood growing up outside the country, her perennial str...

Throw Away Your Resume / Spartan STAND 012 from 2019-05-20T08:30

I understand the value of a resume and what it’s intended for.

But, we all know the resume game and some of us even have a professional writer “polish” it up. So what is the real value? A...

Unhealthy Assumptions, How to Read a Food Label Part 2 / HEALTH 027 from 2019-05-19T08:30

Imagine you’re in a supermarket and you want something healthy to drink, but you want something tasty, too. Many people might think – and with some good reason – that a naturally flavored drink ...

Short Course Conqueror Nicole Mericle / Spartan ATHLETE 018 from 2019-05-17T08:30

Spartan Pro Team member Nicole Mericle came into OCR from a running and bouldering background and was able to make an almost immediate impact. She is widely considered the best female OCR “short...

Don't Let Others Define You / Spartan WAY 038 from 2019-05-16T08:30

Do you know your worth or do you let others determine your value? Sometimes you need to say no in the short term so you can yes to something bigger in the long term. In a world where so much is ...

Your Brain on LYING / SPARTAN MIND 040 from 2019-05-15T08:30

We are human. We are fallible. And sometimes that means that lies slip from our tongue.
We all do it or have done it but it’s important to understand how pervasive lying can impact you. In...

247: Nick Green / Building Thrive Market and the Value of Failure from 2019-05-14T08:30

His early life was so “perfect” Nick Green says he was too afraid to take risks or to fail. He was lucky, a business concept found him during college and forced him to learn resilience and the v...

On Time AND Prepared / Spartan STAND Episode 011 from 2019-05-13T08:30

Be careful of the unintended consequences when you try to create a culture of ‘show up early’.
When we communicate correctly our set of standards that are consistent with our expectations ...

Reading Nutrition Labels: Part I // SPARTAN HEALTH 0026 from 2019-05-12T08:30

Spartans, here’s a riddle for you: What do lengthy financial reports and food labels have in common? Answer? To some, they might seem a bit boring and overly detailed, but they’re both really im...

High Performance Can Still Be Fun - Ian Hosek / Spartan ATHLETE from 2019-05-10T08:30

Idaho’s own Ian Hosek comes on the Spartan Up Podcast to discuss how he coaches people of all backgrounds and abilities. He also talks about getting a coach himself to help his mental game. Ian ...

The Long Game / SPARTAN WAY from 2019-05-09T08:30

Are you in it for the long game? The long haul? Many Spartans have spoken about the patience and the undaunting work ethic and determination it takes to get a taste of success let alone get to t...

How to Say NO // SPARTAN MIND from 2019-05-08T08:30

Often, we take on a lot. More than we should maybe. We say YES to things we only feel lukewarm about and we nod our heads to things we would rather shake them to. The thing is, if we are saying ...

246: Kelly Leveque | Be Well By Kelly and the Fab 4 from 2019-05-07T08:30

Kelly is a self made wellness guru, founder of Be Well by Kelly, who based her premise on a simple concept - design your plate with the fab four: protein, healthy fats, fiber and leafy greens. S...

Make Your Actions Define Your Intent // Spartan STAND Episode 010 from 2019-05-06T08:30

“Don’t talk about it, Be about it.” ~Even-Esh

“Let your actions speak so loudly, that I cannot hear your words.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Zach Even-Esh talks about how this manifests ...

“Air Force” Ken Corigliano // Spartan ATHLETE 016 from 2019-05-03T08:30

Matt B. Davis talks to “Air Force” Ken Corigliano - Ken has been obstacle racing since 2012 and is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force as a Major. He uses military training and obstacle raci...

Bataan Memorial Death March - Can the Spartan Up Team Survive It? from 2019-05-02T08:30

The Bataan Memorial Death March is, as they say more than just a marathon… it ‘honors the thousands of heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing...

Overcoming Performance Anxiety // SPARTAN MIND 038 from 2019-05-01T08:30

If you haven’t experienced performance anxiety yourself then most likely you know someone who has. Performance anxiety is common and its intensity can span across the spectrum. Although dealing ...

245: Joe De Sena and Lonnie Mayne // RED SHOES LIVING&SPARTAN X LEADERSHIP from 2019-04-30T08:30

How do you create a corporate culture that allows people to live their best lives? Based off the principles that Lonnie observed in his father, the famous red shoe wearing wrestler Moondog Mayne...

Why I Disagree with Safety First // Spartan STAND 009 from 2019-04-29T08:30

Let’s be more cautious about always over-prioritizing Safety above everything else.

Using the phrase “Safety First” as a default teases us to not engage in the critical conversations revo...

Flow State 101 // SPARTAN HEALTH 024 from 2019-04-28T08:30

What Is Mental Flow: A State Of Self-Motivation
Do you remember the last time you completely focused on a task that was both challenging and satisfying? It may have happened during your la...

Your Unique Strengths and Weaknesses - Faye Morgan // Spartan ATHLETE from 2019-04-26T08:30

This week's Spartan Athlete host Matt B. Davis talks to Faye Morgan. She was a gymnast and spent time in the Marines. Now, she is a mom of 4 and a Spartan Pro. She talks about how she conquers o...

How to Manage Painful Emotions // SPARTAN MIND 037 from 2019-04-24T08:30

Experiencing painful emotions is a part of life that we cannot avoid. But we try to through various types of numbing mechanisms. This could be anything from alcohol to drugs to food to over-exer...

244: Spartan Interviews Shaun T about Health, Insanity and Much More! from 2019-04-23T08:30

World famous for his physique and his “Insanity” workouts, Shaun T has graduated from teaching healthy body to teaching healthy MENTALITY. His superpower is getting uncomfortable - the more unco...

How to Be Effective // Spartan STAND 008 with Brian "Tosh" Chontosh from 2019-04-22T08:30

When I find myself getting frustrated, struggling with events or life, being disappointed by others or my expectations it’s usually because I’m investing too much emotional energy in the area of...

Ginseng 101 // SPARTAN HEALTH 023 from 2019-04-21T08:30

Ginseng has recently gained popularity for those looking to get an extra edge on the job, or to improve daily focus. It also has rejuvenating qualities that can support an increase in energy. Listen

Racing as a Team in Spartan // Spartan ATHLETE 014 from 2019-04-19T08:30

Kevin Gillotti talks with Ashley Heller, Kaci Monroe, Emilee Smith about what it takes to race together as a team & the nuances and considerations before a race, and out on the race course, and ...

More Isn't Always Better // SPARTAN WAY with Zach Even-Esh 036 from 2019-04-18T08:30

Sometimes, as Spartans, we get so caught up in doing more, that we actually work ourselves into the ground. That maximal work pushes you into the red zone. Here’s how to work smarter, not just h...

How Insecurity Gets in the Way // SPARTAN MIND 036 from 2019-04-17T08:30

Insecurities can pop up at any time. We all have them and some of us use certain strategies to keep them at bay. One insecurity that can rear its ugly head, especially when we are in a group set...

243: The Truth About Holistic Medicine - Interview with Dr. Stephen Cabral from 2019-04-16T08:30

He was a sick young kid who went from doctor to doctor looking for a diagnosis, finally realizing to truly find a solution he would have to become a Doctor himself. Hear his take on fasting, sau...

On Winning // Spartan STAND 007 from 2019-04-15T08:30

Our attitudes on how we approach or what we define winning as sets the stage for success across all endeavors.

Winning is putting points on the board until the very last second. Being so ...

Good News About Brown Fat: Another Good Reason to Exercise // SPARTAN HEALTH 023 from 2019-04-14T08:30

Just when you thought you knew all the reasons why exercise is good for you, a new scientific discovery gives us yet another one. Today on Spartan Health we’re going to talk about something call...

Finding A Gym That Offers Variety - Timmie Brann // Spartan ATHLETE 014 from 2019-04-12T08:30

After a solid 2018, Timmie Brann is on the Spartan Pro Team for the first time in 2019. She talks about opening a gym that allows her to help people of all levels. Her gym gives people the oppor...

Work is the Reward // SPARTAN WAY 035 from 2019-04-11T08:30

Bringing you some fire from a Teddy Roosevelt book in today’s episode! This book is a reminder that our work is a gift. It is something we GET to do, not something we HAVE to do.

L...

Understanding Imposter Syndrome // SPARTAN MIND 035 from 2019-04-10T08:30

Imposter syndrome is something we all struggle with from time to time. It occurs when you doubt your own contribution and experience yourself as fraudulent in any given situation. No matter how ...

242: Invent a Way to Assist and Overcome / OEW’s Task force Sentinel from 2019-04-09T08:30

Pete Tanzilli, a police officer shot in left hip in the line of duty, faced chronic physical issues from the incident, he speaks with us just before taking on his first Spartan Race with the Tas...

The Problem with Perfection // Spartan STAND 006 from 2019-04-08T08:30

Perfection is a wonderful ideal. But when we take it out of balance it can stagnate efforts and become an impediment to the essential action of ‘start’.

If we keep in mind that the ideati...

5 Bedtime Habits That Ruin Sleep // SPARTAN HEALTH 021 from 2019-04-07T08:30

One in three adults in the U.S. don’t get a good night’s sleep. Some reasons might be physical problems (like apnea) or mental distress. But for many, it’s simply bad habits. Here are five easy ...

Speed vs. Strength with Ryan “Drop The Hammer” Kent // Spartan ATHLETE 012 from 2019-04-05T09:49:16

We learn a little about Spartan Pro Team racer Ryan Kent. He talks about his running background, how he trains during the offseason, and finding a balance between strength and speed. He also has...

The Power of Book Titles // SPARTAN WAY from 2019-04-04T08:30

A long time ago a friend of mine and mentor told me that he kept specific books on his work desk, just so he could see the title. He told me how the title of the book alone would fire him up to ...

Learn How to Control Your Emotions // SPARTAN MIND 034 from 2019-04-03T08:30

We may wish it weren’t true but it is: You can’t control how you feel at any given moment. You CAN however, control your response to how you feel. And you can absolutely learn to control your em...

241: Charlie Rocket | From 300lb CEO to Nike Athlete // INTERVIEW from 2019-04-02T08:30

Joe DeSena interviews Charlie Rocket at the Fenway Park Spartan Race.  “CEO Charlie” was successful in business, he managed the artist 2 Chainz to a Grammy! But he found himself overweight and s...

Do what you say, say what you mean // Spartan STAND 005 from 2019-04-01T08:30

If you say you are going to do something, then do it. Not a version of it. Not some approximation. Do exactly it. Not to is to set the new lowest standard or to i...

Magnesium: A Mineral to Calm the Mind // SPARTAN HEALTH 020 from 2019-03-31T08:30

Magnesium has some amazing properties for your brain and body. It also makes important contributions to many important processes in the human body.

Two things that many of us have experie...

Training on the road with John Yatsko // Spartan ATHLETE 011 from 2019-03-29T08:30

Kevin Gillotti talks with John Yatsko, an athlete not often seen on the OCR circuit but one who has the historical results & credentials to put worry into his competitors when he does show up. K...

The 4 AM Club // SPARTAN WAY 033 from 2019-03-28T08:30

The 4 AM club is something that Cory Gregory runs out of his gym in Ohio. You can create ANY type of “club” & it doesn’t have to be at 4 AM!

LESSONS:

Building a club will bu...

The Happiness Hoax // SPARTAN MIND 033 from 2019-03-27T08:30

For better or worse, life is filled with struggle and challenge. We, as humans, were built with a wide emotional range and often experience a variety of feelings,...

240: Theo Epstein | How to Beat a 108 Year Losing Streak // INTERVIEW from 2019-03-26T08:30

The Youngest GM in baseball history, Theo Epstein took the Red Sox to the World Championships after 86 years then did the same for the Chicago Cubs after a 108 years! What techniques did he use ...

Just 3 Things // Spartan STAND 004 from 2019-03-25T08:30

Highly Competent: know your job, do your job, be quick to develop and eager to assume responsibility. Competence is acquired through training, practice, time under tension, experience - for sure...

Muscle and Metabolism // SPARTAN HEALTH 019 from 2019-03-24T08:30

Today, we’re going to clear up a misconception about muscle and metabolism. It’s become common knowledge that muscle burns so many more calories than fat. If you put on more muscle, the story go...

Kirk Dewindt dealing with Common Injuries // Spartan ATHLETE 010 from 2019-03-22T08:30

Kevin Gillotti talks with Kirk Dewindt, a personal trainer (PT), a collegiate All-American in trackListen

How to Gain Self Confidence // SPARTAN WAY 032 from 2019-03-21T08:30

We all go through times in our life where we second guess ourselves. The way to get out of that phase is to do the work. The work will remind you what you’re capable of. The mere fact that you’r...

Feeling into the Future // SPARTAN MIND 032 from 2019-03-20T08:30

Feelings can be powerful and even more so when they create discomfort. Anxiety, worry, and concern are three feeling states that can initiate a way of thinking that can very quickly create a bar...

239: Angel Sanz | Learn by Living //INTERVIEW from 2019-03-19T08:30

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 ...

Brilliance in the Basics // Spartan STAND 003 from 2019-03-18T08:30

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, b...

Heart Rate Variability and Survival // SPARTAN HEALTH 018 from 2019-03-17T08:30

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 for...

Robert Killian the aspects of being a pro athlete // Spartan ATHLETE 009 from 2019-03-15T08:30

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 ...

Pay The Man // SPARTAN WAY 031 from 2019-03-14T08:30

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 go...

Future Tripping // SPARTAN MIND 031 from 2019-03-13T08:30

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 f...

238: Chris Herren | The Truth About Addiction // INTERVIEW from 2019-03-12T08:30

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 adv...

You Don’t Need Permission // Spartan STAND from 2019-03-11T08:30

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 aro...

Intermittent Fasting and Longevity // SPARTAN HEALTH 017 from 2019-03-10T09:30

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 s...

Kevin Donahue staying injury free // SPARTAN ATHLETE 008 from 2019-03-08T09:30

Kevin Gillotti talks with 40+ masters athlete, SGX coach, commentator & hella legit OCR racer Kevin Donahue Listen

Invest in People // SPARTAN WAY 030 from 2019-03-07T09:30

Zach Even-Esh, Joe DeSena and Brian Chontosh talk about building teams. The best teams, companies & work environments come from a place where the leaders invest in their team. Taking great care ...

Catastrophizing // SPARTAN MIND 020 from 2019-03-06T09:30

Sometimes when we encounter struggle or a challenge we transform what might be best identified as a small problem into a catastrophe. You know the phrase, “turning a molehill into a mountain.” S...

Rebekah Gregory | Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor // INTERVIEW from 2019-03-05T09:30

Rebekah and her son were spectating at the finish line of the Boston in Marathon in 2013 when those two fateful bombs exploded. She may have lost part of her leg- but 68 operations later, she ha...

Performance On Demand // SPARTAN STAND from 2019-03-04T09:30

This week we welcome Brian "Tosh" Chontosh to the Spartan Up family! He'll be here every Monday with Spartan Stand.

...

Weight Control and Circadian Rhythm // HEALTH 016 from 2019-03-03T09:30

We all know that it’s important to pay attention to our daily food intake. But many people don’t know this important fact: the number of calories your body retains is not only affected by how mu...

Faye Stenning on staying fit while living a city life // ATHLETE 007 from 2019-03-01T09:30

This week I talk with the tiny, but fiercely mighty, Faye Stenning about staying fit & race prepping in a dense city habitat like the overwhelming & chaotic life of a NYC city dweller.

TA...

NO Apologies for Excellence // WAY from 2019-02-28T09:30

Zach brings on special guest & fellow Spartan Podcaster, Tosh, to discuss why you should NOT feel bad while standing up for Excellence! Sometimes we start to feel bad when our friends and family...

Stop Turning Feeling into Fact // MIND 029 from 2019-02-27T09:30

Emotional reasoning is a negative thinking pattern that can best be described as the process of turning feeling into fact. We cannot control how we feel but we can control what we do with these ...

236: Kevin Flike | The Ultimate Test of a Life with No regrets from 2019-02-26T09:30

In that moment when you think your life will end, will you have regrets? During his second Afghanistan deployment Green beret Kevin Flike was shot in the abdomen, what did he think in those touc...

What’s a Circadian Rhythm and Why it Matters // HEALTH 015 from 2019-02-24T09:30

There are a million ways you can be tempted to squeeze a few more minutes or hours out of your day, but if you want to stay healthy, you should remember one thing: you can’t cheat sleep. If you ...

Overcoming Nervousness with Kenneth Yee // ATHLETE 006 from 2019-02-22T09:30

This week I talk strategies for overcoming pre-race jitters and nervousness with Kenneth Yee. When you travel all of the way from Malaysia for a first time visit ...

Change your Environment // WAY 028 from 2019-02-21T09:30

People LOVE being around passionate people. It makes them feel good?And inspires them to get better at Life!

LESSONS:

• If you’re struggling to get better in a certain area ...

Inside the Mind of a Great Competitor: Belief in Yourself // MIND 028 from 2019-02-20T09:30

Great competitors believe that they have the capacity to win and compete in the way that moves them closer to their goals. They build themselves up with confidenc...

235: Brian Dickinson | Blind Descent of Everest from 2019-02-19T09:30

Picture this, you’ve just reached the Summit of Everest- a pinnacle achievement when you’re literally on top of the World… and all of sudden everything goes white...

Gut Health and Athletic Performance // HEALTH 014 from 2019-02-17T09:30

Our bodies need energy and we get that from the food we eat. No surprise, right? But, what is the gatekeeper between food consumption and the energy needed for athletic performance? It’s your gu...

Long Distance Travel with Colleen Augustin // ATHLETE 005 from 2019-02-15T09:30

On this episode, I talk with Colleen about adjusting & adapting (time changes, food, sleep, training, weather) to the local race destination and preparing for a race after the rigors of long-dis...

Can a Spartan Take a Vacation? // WAY 027 from 2019-02-14T09:30

Rest & recovery are NOT a negative thing for Spartans. In fact, when you work hard, the rest and recovery gives you the much need mental & physical break allowing you to come back stronger, more...

Inside the Mind of a Great Competitor: Ownership // MIND 027 from 2019-02-13T09:30

Great competitors believe that they have control over the things that happen in their lives and they take ownership of those choices. They do not offload poor per...

234: Dr. Jeff Karp | Problem-Solving Skills from the Bio-Tech Industry from 2019-02-12T09:30

What does it take to solve complicated and seemingly insurmountable challenges? Dr. Jeff Karp, Principal Investigator of Karp Lab & Harvard Medical School professor, believes the answer is a mul...

Natural Treatments to Boost Immunity // SPARTAN HEALTH 013 from 2019-02-10T09:30

Maintaining good health usually means doing many things and not just one. For instance, if you want to lose weight, gaining muscle can help, but focusing on that alone is not the best or most ef...

Taper Strategy with Cole DeRosa // Spartan ATHLETE 004 from 2019-02-08T09:30

On this episode, Cole and I chat about tapering for a Spartan Race using methods such as the current week’s workload and perceived effort as a determination for h...

Even the Finest Sword Will Rust - SPARTAN WAY 026 from 2019-02-07T09:30

I first heard this Sun Tzu quote from my friend and NFL Veteran,
John Welbour...

Inside the Mind of a Great Competitor: Commitment - SPARTAN MIND ep. 026 from 2019-02-06T09:30

Great competitors stay committed. There will always be excuses, always a reason to quit, move on to something else, or put it on the shelf for later. Great compet...

233: Bizzie Gold | What's Holding You Back? from 2019-02-05T09:30

What patterns did you learn as a child? How are they showing up in your adult life? Bizzie Gold unveils the mystery behind the obstacles and triggers in your mind...

Rhodiola for Energy and Endurance! - SPARTAN HEALTH ep 012 from 2019-02-03T09:30

We’ve talked about a class of herb called adaptogens in an earlier episode of Spartan Health. Rhodiola is an adaptogen that can provide many health benefits and provide energy, endurance, and re...

Sport/Life Balance with Kristen Saad  - Spartan ATHLETE 003 from 2019-02-01T09:30

On this episode, Kristen talks to me about how to stay race fit & race ready when you are juggling a life & interests outside of racing, but yet are a highly comp...

Motivate your Kids to Exercise - SPARTAN WAY 025 from 2019-01-31T10:30

If you’re wondering how to inspire, educate and influence your kids into

Exercising and living a healthy lifestyle, this is the episode for you! To quote

One of our Spa...

Inside the Mind of a Great Competitor: Capitalizing on Opportunity - SPARTAN MIND ep. 025 from 2019-01-30T09:30

Great competitors see the challenges they face and the hardships they endure as opportunities. We all experience difficult things but great competitors see those ...

232: Josh Trent | Be a Force for Wellness from 2019-01-29T09:30

What’s Wellness? How can you integrate these principles to dominate the obstacles ahead?  How do you live your life well? This episode is all about discovering th...

Two Quick Energy Boosts - SPARTAN HEALTH ep 011 from 2019-01-27T09:30

We’re all pressed for time and need efficient, quick tools to increase energy and help us optimize our busy days. Here are two simple techniques that can provide rapid but effective ways of givi...

Racing Family with Mark Batres&Natalie Miano - Spartan ATHLETE 002 from 2019-01-25T09:30

On this episode, I talk with Mark & Natalie about what it takes to balance family life with kids while still having racing & training goals to meet. They reveal t...

Reverse Engineer Your Perfect Day - SPARTAN WAY 024 from 2019-01-24T09:30

Successful people have a clear vision for their perfect day. They write it down which inspires them to take action to achieve that perfect day. The key to making ...

Inside the Mind of a Great Competitor: The Mind/Body Connection - SPARTAN MIND ep. 024 from 2019-01-23T09:30

Great competitors understand the importance of the mind-body connection. Our physical body can only be as strong as the mind that controls it and a healthy mind i...

231: Louisa Nicola | Neuro Athletics - Do you have focus endurance? from 2019-01-22T09:30

What is focus endurance? Louisa, a professional triathlete, was in a car accident and told she would never walk or run again. As a trained mathematician, she delved deep into the field of neurof...

Nutrients for Rapid Recovery - SPARTAN HEALTH ep 010 from 2019-01-20T09:30

However you choose to move your body -, whether it’s a daily run, yoga, team competition or a Spartan Ultra - once you’re done, it’s time to recover. What does th...

Staying Fit as You Age with Heather Gollnick - Spartan ATHLETE 001 from 2019-01-18T09:30

On this premiere episode of the Friday Spartan Up series "Spartan ATHLETE," Kevin Gillotti talks with Heather Gollnick, a prolific multisports athlete in her 40s,...

Use this Trick When You’re Not Motivated - SPARTAN WAY 023 from 2019-01-17T09:30

Zach says: I wish we could all be motivated 24/7/365 but the truth is, sometimes we’re not. Sometimes our self-motivation just isn’t there. That being said, here’...

Disqualifying the Positives - SPARTAN MIND ep. 023 from 2019-01-16T09:30

Disqualifying the positives occurs when you discount positive experiences and accomplishments but invite in the negative. It can occur anywhere and becomes problematic when you struggle to ackno...

230: Udo Erasmus | The Search for a Healthy Life from 2019-01-15T09:30

Raised in uncertainty Udo Erasmus has spent the last 69 years studying how to be more in control of his own fitness and fulfillment - the key? Healthy oils and aw...

Green Tea for Your Workout? - SPARTAN HEALTH ep 009 from 2019-01-13T09:30

This time honored plant, consumed by Asian cultures for centuries, packs a powerful punch when it comes to naturally pumping up your brain and body. Green tea is ...

How to Build Momentum - SPARTAN WAY 022 from 2019-01-10T09:30

Momentum can build up in the positive or the negative. Here’s how you can make momentum work for you, NOT against you!

...