“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 okay where you are right now. We're asking you to set-- just to say, ‘Listen, I'm going to start being selfish. I'm going to say I'm pausing. None of it matters,’” says Yancy Culp, co-host of the DEKA Series Podcast. Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series hosts Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp keep the podcast to themselves today in an episode abo...
Aug 07, 2021•21 min•Ep. 729
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 the competitor he is today? Today we're replaying an interview from 2014 so you can see what drove this Olympian. It's a mix of positivity, focus and drive. “I don’t think about losing. I think about winning every time I step on the mat. I imagine myself wrestling the greatest wrestler of all time and be...
Aug 05, 2021•28 min•Ep. 728
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 Funnels the sales funnel software giant? It turns out that success in one arena shares traits with other arenas. Russell Brunson tells Joe stories of his backyard training as a kid, where it led him, and how he’s returning to those roots today. Over the past 19 years, Russell has built a following of over a million entrepreneurs, sold hundre...
Aug 03, 2021•25 min•Ep. 727
“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,” says John Kuchinski, an astounding blind athlete who has persevered through obstacles many people would consider unthinkable. Spartan Up Combat Series host, Ryan Warner, speaks with John Kuchinski about how he has pushed through the situations that have redefined his life. In this episode you’ll learn about... John waking up blind afte...
Jul 31, 2021•31 min•Ep. 726
“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 in spirit. So if you could ignite your spirit, and all of a sudden now, it's like you're ignited by a dream to feel a certain way, or get out of pain, physically or mental pain” says Todd Durkin, Motivational Speaker, Personal Trainer, Best Selling Author and Life Transformer. Yancy is on the road, so Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series ho...
Jul 29, 2021•39 min•Ep. 725
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 about the importance of risk-taking, and suggests using a series of choices and risks to create better outcomes. One simple formula - if your FOMO is bigger than your fear of failure, you're going to take action. If your fear of failure is greater than your FOMO you're not going to take action. To overcome this, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy s...
Jul 27, 2021•29 min•Ep. 724
“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 takedown. Knowing to hold a man down against his will, or vice versa, you get taken down, force it to get up and get free with a guy on top of you who's a trained killer who doesn't want you free. The standup and the ride is what separates. That's the toughness,” says Chael Sonnen, UFC Light Heavyweight and Middleweight championship contender ...
Jul 24, 2021•30 min•Ep. 723
“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, aka Barefoot Ted, from “Born to Run” and founder of Luna Sandals. Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, talks with Barefoot Ted about fueling our bodies with the right nutrition, tools, and mentality. In this episode you’ll learn about… Experimenting with different foods and finding what works best with your body Staying away f...
Jul 22, 2021•28 min•Ep. 722
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 Spartan, fasting was a part of regular life for our ancestors who did not always have a convenient meal at their fingertips. They explain the metabolic benefits, some basic first steps, and some simpler ways to think about your eating. LINKS: https://drwillcole.com/ This episode of Spartan Up! is brought to you by LorAnn Oils. Make your ...
Jul 20, 2021•30 min•Ep. 718
“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, including climbing, you know, climbing has been so important to me my entire life. It fills up my spirit and it helps me build resilience to all the things that challenge us in a daily life. But “Work Like an Athlete” is about viewing your job and your life as your sport,” says Jarod Cogswell, co-host of the DEKA Series Podcast. Spartan ...
Jul 17, 2021•39 min•Ep. 720
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? Barefoot Ted was one of the unintentional stars of Christopher Mcdougal's book "Born to Run," and the originator of Luna Sandals. Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, talks with Barefoot Ted about how we can get outside and be happy with whatever fitness you choose out there. In this episode y...
Jul 15, 2021•29 min•Ep. 719
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. At the time he expected to make the journey by the end of that year. We all know a few months later many expected Branson to give up on the dream. This is an interview about character, resilience, grit, and fitness. What is it about Richard Branson that allowed him to see this mission through? They say success leaves clues, what clues ca...
Jul 13, 2021•36 min•Ep. 718
“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 right to be there, you’re maybe feeling...you’re in kind of baggy running kit, and overweight, and don’t really know what you’re doing. And you’re so paranoid that people are going to see you. I know women that have gone running in the dark, to start with, because they didn’t want anyone else to see,” says Dr. Juliet McGrattan, award-winn...
Jul 10, 2021•40 min•Ep. 717
“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 put a weight on my back, that somebody has lifted that before. I’m not the first person. And I know that if I set the world record in it, someone’s going to break it. So I better set it high,” says Hunter McIntyre, the Bulk Pony, 6x OCR World Champion, 4x OCR National Champion, Tough Mudder X Undefeated Champion 2017-2018. Spartan Up E...
Jul 08, 2021•20 min•Ep. 716
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 work. Today he shares accountability and constant motion. Still- through the lows and highs, he learned how to make it work. Today he shares what he learned with Spartan founder & CEO Joe De Sena. Accountability and constant motion. Born and Raised in Washington DC by a single father. Attended Howard University and drafted into the NF...
Jul 06, 2021•23 min•Ep. 715
“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 game, right? It’s why journaling can be so useful. Because when you take what’s in your head and you put it in your hand, you can really begin to evaluate, like, ‘Oh, is what I'm thinking in my head reasonable? Oh my gosh, this is the most unreasonable thing on the planet,’'' says Dr. Lara Pence, clinical psychologist, and chief mind d...
Jul 03, 2021•35 min•Ep. 714
“...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 will be the champion of that. But, as soon as you take off your bike helmet, and get off the bike, you might as well be like a-- you’re like a toddler. You’re weak, you’re imbalanced,” says Hunter McIntyre, the Bulk Pony, 6x OCR World Champion, 4x OCR National Champion, Tough Mudder X Undefeated Champion 2017-2018. Spartan Up Endurance...
Jul 01, 2021•25 min•Ep. 713
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. This episode of Spartan Up! Is brought to you by GONEROGUESNACKS.COM - use code SPARTAN25 for a discount INTERVIEWS MENTIONED: Personal Board of Advisors with Elizabeth Weil https://race.spartan.com/en/media/podcast/episodes?article=45381 Rat Hope Study https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/kidding-ourselves/201405/the-remarkable-power-hope Cam...
Jun 29, 2021•17 min•Ep. 712
“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 people-- this is what frustrates me the most as a long time coach, 30 years of coaching, is that person that reaches that goal, and they QUIT,” says Jarod Cogswell, co-host of the DEKA Series Podcast. Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series hosts’ Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp reach the summit on the final episode of their five-part series titled “...
Jun 24, 2021•24 min•Ep. 710
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 Spartan and the CEO of Tough Mudder together on a podcast. After the required sparring over who’s in charge of the podcast (is it an episode of Spartan Up or Tough Mudder’s podcast No Excuses?) Kyle Mcluaghlin and Joe De sena come to a compromise. It’s both. In this episode you’ll hear how both companies are determined to help you get ba...
Jun 23, 2021•27 min•Ep. 709
“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. Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, talks with Dave about the best formula for nutrition + strength for endurance athletes. In this episode, you’ll learn... -Never skip a strength or mobility workout, even if it means sacrificing a run, bike or swim -What is strength and why it’s important for the endurance athlete -Dave’s current...
Jun 19, 2021•28 min•Ep. 708
“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 barriers to entry. With DEKA Fit, we wanted to remove the barrier of entry and I’m pleased to say that 99% of people who attempt a DEKA race finish, '' says Yancy Culp, co-host of the DEKA Series Podcast. Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series hosts’ Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp embark on part four of their five-part series titled “A Life Fu...
Jun 17, 2021•30 min•Ep. 707
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 discomfort you'll accept in your life, the more options you have. As Sebastian Junger says: "If you have to take a shower every day, you will never be able to spend the night in the woods. Right? I mean, that's just a loss of voluntary loss of freedom. If you refuse to be hot or cold or hungry or tired or what have you, you really have to ...
Jun 15, 2021•36 min•Ep. 706
“Noise is energy draining and so I used ear plugs to preserve energy,” says Matt Gentry, 2x Olympian and former NCAA champion for Stanford. Spartan Up Combat Series host, Ryan Warner, talks with Matt about a simple tactic he used to preserve energy and reduce performance anxiety. In this episode you’ll learn... -Why you should consider wearing ear plugs at your next competition -Energy preservation and why it’s important for optimal performance -How sound and noise impacts performance anxiety Co...
Jun 12, 2021•6 min•Ep. 702
“When you combine high intensity strength training with high intensity interval training...that’s magic for your whole physiology and preventing injuries,” says Dave Scott, 6x Ironman World Champion. Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, talks with Dave about the importance of stretching and mobility training. In this episode you’ll learn… -How mobility is actioned in Dave’s coaching program -How to incorporate carbs into a training regiment -The three areas of mobility triathletes are...
Jun 10, 2021•19 min•Ep. 701
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 meant a few grueling trips up and down the mountain with a 100lb chain and a companion log. In this episode the two talk a little about how the culture of Wall Street is starting to shift toward better health, and then dig deep into the best tactics to get through tough physical challenges, and their thoughts on building strong resilient ...
Jun 08, 2021•30 min•Ep. 703
“Surround yourself with people who are on the same mission as you are, '' says Jarod Cogswell, co-host of the DEKA Series Podcast. Spartan Up Podcast, DEKA Series hosts’ Jarod Cogswell and Yancy Culp embark on part three of their five-part series titled “A Life Fueled by Fitness.” During this mini-series, the guys will get you off the roller coaster of fitness, find your purpose and reframe how you think about training. In this episode you’ll learn: -The benefits of finding your fitness tribe, s...
Jun 05, 2021•25 min•Ep. 702
“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 Spartan World Champion, on the transition to coaching while training full-time. Spartan Up Endurance Series host, Johnny Waite, talks with Jonathan about coaching, heart rate zone targeting and how Jonathon gets the most out of his athletes. In this episode you’ll learn… -How to use technology to improve training -How Jonathon defines being ...
Jun 03, 2021•22 min•Ep. 701
Today Joe De Sena celebrates running with Dean Karnazes, author of Run, of Ultramarathon Man, and of the new book "A Runner's High." Karnazes is an internationally acclaimed ultramarathoner and New York Times best-selling author. He was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World and is a recipient of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition Lifetime Achievement Award. He’s run 50 marathons, in all 50 US states, in 50 consecutive days. He’s run a...
Jun 01, 2021•25 min•Ep. 700
“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 Cornell. Spartan Up Combat Series host, Ryan Warner, talks with Yianni about what it means to sacrifice, how to build confidence and executing under fire. In this episode you’ll learn, -How to reframe sacrifice so that it’s something you’ll want to pursue -How a lifetime’s worth of work builds confidence -It’s about executing under fire that ...
May 29, 2021•6 min•Ep. 699
