The Hard Way With Joe De Sena

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's what Spartans and Powerlifters do to get motivated! LESSONS:   Sign up for something. "Write a check". Sometimes we need an event to push our motivation. The fear of showing up unprepared will motivate you to show up and do the work. Ha...

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 acknowledge achievement. We need to own and be proud of the things that we do well in order to build self-confidence and a sense of pride. When we disqualify the positives we are not feeding our brains with the...

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 awareness of the magnificence that surrounds him! Food oils derived from seeds, says Udo, are some of the healthiest things you can add to your diet. Journey with us as we learn that the road to health may be paved with fresh oils, plants a...

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 packed with healthy nutrients from amino acids and antioxidants to enzymes. These compounds promote brain health, metabolism, immunity, and energy. It's an easy addition to your daily routine and gives an all natural mind/body boost to ge...

Momentum can build up in the positive or the negative. Here's how you can make momentum work for you, NOT against you! LESSONS:   Learn to course correct if momentum is starting to work against you. Take a new action to help build momentum for your goals. Organization is crucial for your success. Take 1 action, do the 1 thing, to start building momentum towards your goals. LINKS: More about Zach h...

Mind reading is when we make assumptions about what others are thinking or feeling. The problem is, these presumptions can put us in a position of believing we know what is true, when in fact we are guessing. We can then attach ourselves to stories that we are creating and see them as reality rather than assumption. Mind reading can essentially get us into trouble so it's important that we catch o...

This may be the most important interview in Spartan Up history. The story Dan Crowley, a 96-year-old WWII POW, survivor of the horrific Bataan Death March, and a delightful man. Faced with unfathomable torture, he is truly one of the most resilient, remarkable and optimistic human beings we have had the privilege to meet. This extended episode tells a dark tale in the world's history, yet, his smi...

Both mental and physical health are critical for athletic performance. Environmental conditions also play a crucial role. What happens to your body when you're exposed to extremes of cold and heat? Can your body adapt to these conditions? It's important to know what happens to the body during extremes of temperature, what science has taught us about human environmental limits, and ways we can do t...

Success leaves clues. When I hear lessons from successful people, there are common themes and 1 of those common themes is getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Growth comes from being uncomfortable. LESSONS: Going through tough times empowers you mentally and physically. Struggle reveals AND builds our character. Challenges are opportunities for you to grow. Write down something that opposes yo...

Setbacks are part of the human experience. We all experience them and they often come in different forms - physical, relational, emotional. Setbacks can offer lots of opportunities for growth but you've got to be open to seeing them in order to benefit. How we recover from a setback is often determined by our outlook and willingness to shift perspective.   LESSONS: Setbacks can offer opportunities...

Three-Time Olympic Medalist Kristine Lilly's Advice on Soccer and Life Kristine was part of the world-renowned American Women's soccer team that put women's soccer on the map in the US!  On that team, she scored an incredible 130 goals in her 23-year career, played in 3 Olympics winning Gold in tow and Silver in the third, and is the most "capped" player in football history. She and Joe DeSena tal...

Chronic inflammation can be caused by many different sources. The key is to know some of the inflammatory triggers and take active steps to manage and prevent it. In this episode, we'll cover what it is, common causes, and some easy anti-inflammatory tools you can use anytime. Chronic inflammation can be caused by many different sources. The key is to know some of the inflammatory triggers and tak...

Here are some GREAT lessons I picked up from a book called 'The Great Work of Your Life'. This book will give you inspiration and clarity on your true calling. LESSONS:   If you do not follow your true calling, aka your true north, it will eat you up on the inside Share your unique genius with the world. There are people out there who NEED you to share your unique genius. Come up with an action pl...

Anxiety can plague many of us. That habitual and pervasive worry can not only become intrusive but also leave us feeling debilitated if not managed well. There are a few ways to reduce your anxiety and practicing them regularly can leave you feeling more in control of your worry and less vulnerable to it's impact on your day. These various tactics are not only simple in their accessibility but als...

Anything is possible when you let no one outwork you.  That's the mantra of Isaiah Kacyvenski. This episode is  testament to the power of relentless determination. Growing up with a difficult childhood in poverty and bouts of homelessness - it was his dedication to studies, reading six hours every Sunday, and focusing on the words he taped to his ceiling "let no one outwork you today," that led Is...

Meditation can be a simple but powerful tool to help your brain calm, improve focus, and enhance sleep. What's the easiest way to incorporate this technique into your daily routine? In this episode we'll tell you what it is, how to do it, and the short and long-term benefits to enhanced focus.     WHAT WE COVER:   1. In a world of smartphones, networking groups, and virtual education, we are const...

Do you ever find yourself saying the all too common phrase, I just don't have the time to exercise.   We've all been there before, so if you find yourself on a time crunch, here are a few powerful SPARTAN exercises that you can do at home, no matter where you live!   NOTE: This episode works best if you can watch the video to see how the exercises should be performed! LESSONS:   You can exercise a...

The data is pretty clear - the way that you think about yourself impacts your performance. Plain and simple. When you are engaging in more positive thinking patterns and see the world through a more positive lens, your performance in various arenas increases. Whether it's your career, your relationships, or your performance out on the Spartan course, how you come out in the end will depend on the...

Have trouble staying happy? When it became a struggle for Chris Ashenden, founder of Athletic Greens he attacked it like any other problem in life.  He compiled a list of things that make him happy, then made sure to do them every day. For Chris the list includes dancing, time with dynamic people, sunlight on the face, intense exercise, heat changes. In this episodes of Spartan Up Joe DeSena sits...

On Spartan Health we've talked about how important your senses can be in terms of your cognitive function and physical health. In this episode, we take a deep dive into how you can tap into your sensory system as a powerful tool for optimal mental and physical performance. SImple techniques that can get you ready and set for you next Spartan Sprint, Super, or Beast! WHAT WE COVER:   We all experie...

No matter how passionate you are about what you do, there will always be a time where you feel like you've hit a wall and need a break. The BIG reason I've seen others experience burnout including myself, is often times because we get busy looking at what others are doing and we lose our OWN True North! LESSONS:   Don't waste time watching what others do Focus on YOUR passion, not what others are...

Getting curious is the unsung hero of mental toughness. Sometimes our ego likes to play first man and we close ourselves off to the wisdom, expertise, and knowledge of others. But the truth is, when we do this we are actually closing ourselves off to growth, expansion, and enlightenment. The more available we are to learning and taking in what others have to offer the more we can fill our mind wit...

Kwame Christian, Director of the American Negotiation Institute, says any time two people are in a conversation and one of them wants something it's a negotiation. The best things in life often lie on the other side of difficult conversations. We are negotiating all the time!  In this interview, he shares a series of tools to help you negotiate anything, then puts Joe through a negotiation sparrin...

What is sleep? Why do we sleep? And what does sleep really do? Even though sleep is a fundamental part of of our daily routine the scientific community still debates many topics about our sleep. But, a few things are clear: we need it and can't function without it. And, it's a powerful way to support mental and physical health. Our brains do a lot when we sleep. In this episode, we'll talk about w...

Adversity and obstacles are always going to be there. Once you accept this, your obstacles can no longer control you. You begin to view obstacles as opportunities. You begin to thrive under adversity because adversity builds your Character! LESSONS:   Obstacles are Opportunities. Your mindset towards challenges will determine your outcome. Injuries are not a green light to sit on the couch and sul...