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 way that you think about yourself and the language you use for yourself. The more positive your thin...
Dec 19, 2018•2 min•Ep. 268
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 with Chris at Spartan World Championships in Tahoe to learn about the entrepreneurial and personal jo...
Dec 18, 2018•31 min•Ep. 267
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 experience it now and then. You want to focus, get in “the zone” but you’re having a tough time. Here’s 5 eas...
Dec 16, 2018•5 min•Ep. 266
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 passionate about Reconnect with your True North on the regular. Ask yourself WHY you started doing wha...
Dec 13, 2018•2 min•Ep. 265
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 with the ‘good stuff’ and rid ourselves of the junk. LESSONS: Getting curious and becoming available to...
Dec 12, 2018•2 min•Ep. 264
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 sparring session to demonstrate. Kwame believes using “compassionate curiosity” and understand the value of ...
Dec 11, 2018•33 min•Ep. 263
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 why you need your Zzzzzz’s! WHAT WE COVER: Low energy, poor memory, irritability, and weight gain…wha...
Dec 09, 2018•2 min•Ep. 262
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 sulk. Work around your injuries and find a way instead of finding an excuse. Think about all the men and ...
Dec 06, 2018•4 min•Ep. 261
We often wait to get started on projects or activities until we are motivated. But the ‘I’ll start when I’m motivated’ is leaving us stuck and stagnant. That’s because it’s momentum that builds motivation - not being still. Stillness stifles. Momentum motivates. Once you get going on your next project or new activity the motivation that you’ve been looking for will build as you grow the muscle of your work. LESSONS: Stillness stifles. Momentum motivates. Don’t wait on getting motivated to get mo...
Dec 05, 2018•2 min•Ep. 260
Aaron Hinde, Co-Founder & President of LIFEAID, tells us how he has used his Universal ATM: Alignment, Trajectory & Momentum to build a huge brand organically and in the process has gathered a super loyal and positive community. He put everything into the creation of a healthier alternative to sodas and energy drinks, living on a frugal diet of canned tuna until the ATM paid off. The advice this week is as refreshing as the “Performance Beverages.” LESSONS: Universal ATM: Alignment, Traj...
Dec 04, 2018•29 min•Ep. 259
Caffeine in one form or another is used by about 90% of Americans every single day. How much caffeine you consume can have a direct effect on your health. Know your limits and the signs and symptoms of too much caffeine. WHAT WE COVER: We’ve all been there…you’re dragging and have a busy day ahead…you need a quick boost. Many of us turn to caffeine. First of all, I’ve never known of anyone to die from caffeine overdose. Although death by caffeine sounds unlikely…can it occur and how much is too ...
Dec 02, 2018•2 min•Ep. 258
We often hear others talking about focusing on one thing. In fact, you might be doing this yourself. You’re focused on work? Focused on family? Instead of just focusing one area of your life, simply apply excellence to ALL areas of your life. A Spartan exercises discipline and excellence to ALL areas of life. LESSONS: It’s easier to apply excellence to ALL your areas of your life. Change your mindset. Stop saying that you’re only focused on 1 area. Instead, apply excellence to ALL areas of your ...
Nov 29, 2018•3 min•Ep. 257
We all have a set of coaches that reside in our head at any given time. Many of these are a compilation of past individuals who have influenced us and their past messages have now become our own internalized voice. Many of these are helpful but some of them may be harmful because their messages are negative in nature or bring us down rather than lift us up. Learning how to differentiate between the helpful coaches and harmful ones is an important step in weeding out what doesn’t serve us. LESSON...
Nov 28, 2018•3 min•Ep. 256
What does it take to become an Olympian and do those things carry over into success in other endeavors? If anyone knows it’s Mike Miller. He’s CEO of the World Olympian Association, which brings together the 120,000 living Olympic alumni. How do these athletes transition into the business world? Will Spartan become an Olympic sport? The Olympic spirit is strong in SPartan’s international competitions! LESSONS Set a plan. Work hard to achieve the plan. Be motivated by your values. Push yourself i...
Nov 27, 2018•27 min•Ep. 255
Adaptogens are a special class of herbs that have been used around the globe for centuries by many different cultures. These herbs support your body’s stress response, immune system, and can help pre- and post-workout for both endurance and exercise recovery. WHAT WE COVER: a. Simply put, adaptogens are great. They are a particular Class of Herbs that have been linked with helping the body adapt to stress (psychological and environmental, this includes physical or endurance related stress as wel...
Nov 25, 2018•3 min•Ep. 254
Are you always thinking about HOW to achieve more, be it in fitness, health, life, business or any other area of interest? Instead of thinking about HOW, you really should be thinking about WHO. LESSONS: Who do you already know that has achieved 1 of your goals? Instead of thinking about how you can achieve certain goals, learn to collaborate, work with and learn from others who have already learned the how. It’s WHO you can work with instead of learning the how on your own. Somebody else has al...
Nov 22, 2018•4 min•Ep. 253
Accepting responsibility and taking ownership of your mistakes is key for not only self-reflection but also behavior change and modification. Because owning our mistakes can be painful and uncomfortable, we tend to offload responsibility onto other things or other people. We can always find a reason for why something is not our fault but engaging in this behavior pattern restricts our capacity for change and growth. When you accept responsibility you are opening yourself up to an opportunity to ...
Nov 21, 2018•3 min•Ep. 252
Mind Pump host and fitness/wellness guru Sal Di Stefano sits down with Spartan Race founder Joe DeSena to talk about the state of the fitness industry and what you can do today to be stronger and healthier. You may be fast at something, but are you efficient? Repetitive frequency of proper skills builds effective health and wellness regiments - getting you to your maximum potential. This week we have Sal Di Stefano back on the podcast, discussing the platforms of “new media” and their role in sh...
Nov 20, 2018•31 min•Ep. 251
NEW SERIES: Spartan HEALTH with Dr. Nada Milosavljevic every Sunday Your five senses are your body’s most direct connection to the outside world. They take in information 24/7 whether you know it or not. Harnessing any one of your senses can be a powerful way to stimulate the brain to achieve optimal results. WHAT WE COVER: What are essential oils, often abbreviated as EO’s? Essential oils come from plants, trees, flowers, and shrubs. Essential oils are the essence of the plant and in those oils...
Nov 18, 2018•3 min•Ep. 250
Are you always 1 step shy from finishing your “mission”? 1 step short of achieving your goals? Today Zach Even-Esh tells you how you can make it over the finish line. Listen, then start taking pride in the challenges while turning your obstacles into opportunities. LESSONS: View your obstacles as opportunities You don’t have to like it, you just have to do it - Dick Marcinko, Creator of SEAL Team 6 Take pride in the challenges which will inspire you rather than defeating you Excellence and Conve...
Nov 15, 2018•4 min•Ep. 249
Setting goals is an important way to keep us accountable to the dreams and desires that we have for ourselves. Goals are an effective way to keep us on track and give our movement structure. Sometimes, however, we fall into the trap of setting insane goals - goals that are unreasonable for our current position and end up hurting us in the long run. Pushing yourself is important but you have to set goals that are achievable so that you gain confidence and keep moving in the right direction. LESSO...
Nov 14, 2018•3 min•Ep. 248
Watch 2010 Drill Sergeant of the Year puts Joe DeSena in his place. First Sergeant Melissa Solomon has a deep understanding of what it takes to motivate. She should, she’s a top professional.She knows fitness too! 1SG Solomon leads trainings in the Army Master Fitness Course to “create personal trainers in each company of 150 soldiers, to have them perform in optimal health.” Trained in how to master resiliency, she gives you tools for when “things aren't going your way- don’t quit- find another...
Nov 13, 2018•28 min•Ep. 247
Today Zach talks about the secret to pushing through when -willpower doesn't seem to be enough. - I came across a great book gifted to me by fellow Spartan Up Friend, Joe Polish of The Genius Network. This book is Willpower Doesn’t Work. It made me rethink how self-discipline can be taken to the next level and beyond by changing your environment! LESSONS: Change your environment to change your life. Your environment can change by place and or people. Surround yourself with other high achievers s...
Nov 08, 2018•4 min•Ep. 246
Fear is one of those emotions that can significantly impact our choices, behaviors, and ways that we engage with the world. We all have our own set of fears and the intensity to which we feel fear about different things varies as well. One trap that we can all fall into though is the misbelief that the intensity of our fear is a measure of our capacity to handle the challenge that is ahead of us. When we connect fear with ability we are more at risk of becoming immobilized and opting out of what...
Nov 07, 2018•3 min•Ep. 245
34% of his body was burned when the Humvee he was driving hit an antitank mine in Iraq. Do you define yourself by your scars or do you conquer all obstacles with mindset, tenacity and humor. This week we speak with Dancing with the Stars champion JR about the art of adversity and about Joe dancing to Donna Summer. LESSONS Do you follow? Do you to break off lead? Don’t be a sheep. Obstacles in your way? SO WHAT - just do it. You will regret the things NOT done, rather than the other way around. A...
Nov 06, 2018•32 min•Ep. 244
Ben Franklin has a famous quote that speaks volumes: Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. What does your day look like? Do you get to bed too late and in turn, your morning is a struggle? Lack of sleep will negatively affect your health, relationships, energy levels and career! Listen to this episode to hear what successful people do. LESSONS: How working late to get more work done eventually negatively affects your productivity. How to slowly begin waking up earli...
Nov 01, 2018•3 min•Ep. 243
Engaging in a mindful practice each day can help reduce stress and increase your performance on certain tasks. But nowadays, individuals are feeling pressured to start this practice without acquiring an understanding of what mindfulness is and how to engage in the process. Simply stated, mindfulness is really just paying attention. It is bringing the focus into the present and developing a sense of nowness. You don’t have to engage in a sixty, thirty, or even twenty-minute practice of mindfulnes...
Oct 31, 2018•3 min•Ep. 242
You want to shift your paradigm and find optimal health? Get ready to dig in for some hard work: break up with yourself, vision cast and sit down to do some writing. The new Director of Programming at Shrugged Collective and host of the Barbell Shrugged Podcast, wants you to “live a pain free, empowered life through mindful movement,” and take time to give attention to your intentions. Shrugged Collective spread great wings of wisdom over this year's Podfest in at Spartan World Championships in ...
Oct 30, 2018•28 min•Ep. 241
Do you remember our earlier episode on how obstacles are opportunities? Well, if you’re stressed out, you likely have an obstacle standing in your way which is simply an opportunity in hiding! Here’s how to reduce stress and boost productivity by learning a simply system for organizing your day and week. LESSONS: How to multiply your success by being highly organized. How to structure your week ahead by organizing on a Sunday night. How to make each day count by choosing & organizing your to...
Oct 25, 2018•4 min•Ep. 240
Shame is a focus on self, whereas guilt is a focus on behavior. When we use language that is self-deprecating and shaming in nature our self-esteem struggles. Shaming language, such as “I’m a failure”, “I’m an idiot”, “I’m a loser”, creates a belief system that our struggles are inherent to who we are and fixed rather than demonstrations of difficult moments in time. It’s important to transition from shaming language that focuses on self to ways of thinking and expressing that is more focused on...
Oct 24, 2018•4 min•Ep. 239
