The Hard Way With Joe De Sena

"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, co-host of the DEKA Series Podcast.   Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series hosts' Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp embark on part two of their five-part series titled "A Life Fueled by Fitness."  During this mini-series, the guys will help you...

What are the greatest predictors of health, performance &  longevity? Relationships.  Today Behavioral scientists Jon Levy explains why these connections are so important, and how to have more of them. Jon Levy is a behavioral scientist best known for his work in influence, human connection, and decision making. Levy's new book "You're Invited," guides readers through the art and science of creati...

"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.     Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, talks with Gene about how to train, the benefits of using a coach and when to hit the reset button. In this episode you'll learn…   -Three benefits to using a running coach -Don't sprint! W...

"If you have a body, you are an athlete," says Jarod Cogswell, co-host of the DEKA Series Podcast.   Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series hosts' Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp embark on a five-part series titled "A Life Fueled by Fitness."  During this mini-series, the guys will help you get off the roller coaster of fitness, find your purpose and reframe how you think about fitness.  In this episode yo...

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 gut microbiome.  What it is, how it works, and what foods make it work best.   This episode of Spartan Up! Is brought to you by GONEROGUESNACKS.COM - use code SPARTAN25 for a discount  FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://ww...

"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 Shane Sparks, hall of fame broadcaster and former wrestler.     Spartan Up Combat Series host, Ryan Warner, talks with Shane about taking risks, how to evaluate risk taking and when to pull the trigger.  In this episode you'll learn:   ...

"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 former wrestler.     Spartan Up Combat Series host, Ryan Warner, talks with Shane about learning to love the process, and the ramifications for putting too much pressure on outcomes.  In this episode you'll learn,   -What happens when yo...

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?  Sarah Goldman says the finish line is just the START.  She explains the process of growth and, at the end of this episode, lays out the steps to take to ensure the incredible feeling you have at the finish line becomes integrated into y...

"The worst advice you can give your kids is: stop being you," says Johnny Waite, Death Race finisher and race director for Spartan.    Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, is interviewed by our Combat Host, Ryan Warner. In this episode Ryan talks with Johnny about parenting, how to instill confidence in kids and tactics for helping reduce cell phone use with your kids. In this episode y...

"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.  Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series hosts' Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp talk with Kevin about his first DEKA race experience, how to improve your mental health climate and what principles enable Kevin to lead a fitness-forward life into his later years. In th...

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 Health of the Human Autonomic Nervous System." Jim Poole, the chairman and president explains the mechanisms and neuroscience of stress. He and Joe De Sena break down it's role in athletic performance and compare relaxation tactics. This ep...

"An easy life is no life at all," says Johnny Waite.   Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite is interviewed by our Combat Host, Ryan Warner. In this episode Ryan talks with Johnny about how we can become more resilient to obstacles. In this episode you'll learn...   -How to reframe a negative perception to a positive one -Johnny's philosophy of 'so what' and how you can apply it to everyd...

""Our bodies are built in the kitchen, Sculpted in the gym," says Kevin Curry, fitness expert and social media sensation. Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series hosts' Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp talk with Kevin about reimagining your relationship with food to improve your health and happiness. In this episode you'll learn… -How to embrace food in a conscious way without abandoning the joys of eating -...

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 best selling books  "Running Hot"  "Running To Extremes" and "Relentless: How a mother and daughter defied the odds."   LINKS: www.lisatamati.com www.instagram.com/lisatamati   This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by DUROLANE, a s...

"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.    Spartan Up Combat Series host Ryan Warner talks to Doug about navigating obstacles, taking risks and how / when to use Transcendental Meditation. In this episode you'll learn,   -How to know when it's the 'right' time to start a business -If you don't know how...

"My goal is to tell stories that help people in some-way," says Brendan Leonard, author, climber and ultra-endurance athlete.    Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, talks with Brendan about the creative process and how to take the ideas we all get when running, and put them down on paper. In this episode you'll learn...   -How writing about your passion creates the most authentic stori...

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 at age two he took his first steps on prosthetic legs.  Today he has completed the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona and is a member of the US Paralympic Swim Team.  LINKS: Challenged Athletes Foundation https://www.challengedathletes.org...

"Release your ego from the outcome," says Olympian Ben Askren.     This episode of the Spartan Up Combat Series is hosted by Joe De Sena and Colonel Nye, as they talk with Ben about reducing fear, the ego and how to live with no regrets. In this episode, you'll learn...   -The value of hard work: Ben only took off 7 days during his entire high school career -Ego and the impact on stress -How to be...

"Once you conquer that mountain, it's time to look at the next mountain," says Jarod Cogswell, DEKA FIT Director of Sport. Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series hosts' Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp recap their DEKA FIT Dallas event. In this episode you'll learn... -How to reset your goals after accomplishing a milestone -The DEKA cyborgs of the Dallas event and what you can learn from their mentality -H...

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 government. He is the author of the national bestseller "The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau's Code of Excellence." Today he and Joe De Sena ( founder & CEO of Spartan) talk about why a code of conduct matters and...

"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 Wrestling Trials," says Kendall Cross, a 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist in wrestling.    Spartan Up Combat Series host Ryan Warner talks to Kendall about how elite athletes (in this case wrestlers) cope with stress amidst the highest stakes....

"100% was the standard every day, for 30 plus years," says Command Sergeant Major Michael L. Hatfield.  Spartan Up Podcast DEKA Series hosts' Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp talk with Command Sergeant Hatfield about leadership, chosen suffering and fitness. In this episode you'll learn: -How to create your own standard by which to govern your life -How Command Sergeant Major Michael L. Hatfield rece...

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 self-proclaimed meat and potatoes guy Dr. Alan Desmond, author of "The Plant Based DIet Revolution" explains the positive impacts more plants can have on your health and performance, and why you might be hearing ads that tell you otherwise....

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 make a run at the 2021 Olympics by competing in the Olympic Trails on April 3.     Spartan Up Combat Series host Ryan Warner interview David about a major turning point in his career. In this episode you'll learn   -It's never too late to m...

"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 of "I Hate Running and You Can Too - How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion " about why and how to take on your first endurance event.   In this episode you'll learn: -How getting out of t...