

The Hard Way With Joe De Sena
Joe De Sena
Learn the Spartan mindset. Founder & CEO of Spartan Race and NY Times best-selling author, travels the globe seeking and answers authors, academics, athletes, adventurers, entrepreneurs, CEOs and thought leaders. It will shift your thinking, make you laugh and and give you the tools you need. He's on a mission to find the secrets to success in all aspects of life. Not only does Joe interview epic people, he has brought together an amazing panel to break down and analyze every aspect of these interviews. We give you the ultimate blueprint and action steps to assimilating these powerful conversations into your own life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 18, 2017 • 27min
139. Mordechai Wiener | The simple Steps that Changed his Life
When feeling stuck, what do you do to get back in the game? What's the one thing you can do right now? Mordechai Winer discovered a series of simple steps that changed his life. A self-made success in business, he had been unable to control his eating or his weight. What he discovered was that it wasn't about restrictions, shame, and punitive measures, but a few simple steps. Learn what those things were and the best way to apply them in this week's episode. Lessons: 1. Eliminate excuses. 2. Look for successful moments ins your life to apply to your current struggles. 3. Commit to simple daily rituals that will make positive change a matter of course. CREDITS Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, Dr. Delle & David Deluca Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan Lessons: 1. Eliminate excuses. 2. Look for successful moments ins your life to apply to your current struggles. 3. Commit to simple daily rituals that will make positive change a matter of course. CREDITS Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, Dr. Delle & David Deluca Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan

Apr 11, 2017 • 21min
138. Elizabeth Weil | How Non-Negotiables Can Facilitate Success
One of the most successful women in the venture capital field and dedicated runner, Elizabeth took her cue from her mother. Come hell or high water her mother would be out the door at 4 am to swim or run, and in her 70s she's still at it. Similarly, Weil never stops driving toward success. Within her hectic schedule of career, and raising twins, she stresses the importance of "non-negotiables." They are key to a successful career and happy life. She describes them and her three keys to success in this interview. Weil shows us how it is possible to achieve balance even when you build your life to precipitous heights. Lessons: 1. Life's too short. Work in a location you love. 2. Make the important parts of your life non-negotiable then commit. 3. Create a personal advisory committee. CREDITS Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, Dr. Delle & David Deluca Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan

Apr 4, 2017 • 22min
137: Rod Dixon | How This Marathoner Got Kids to Do Better In School
Olympic marathoner Rod Dixon believes in the transformative power of physical activity so much that he started the Kids Marathon program. He won the New York Marathon in 1983 and an Olympic Bronze, now his program trains kids to run as soon as they enter school. The schools are realizing that keeping kids active brings test scores up, improves student's focus and brain power, and reduces the reliance on pharmaceuticals to keep the more rambunctious kids in line. What Dixon also found through his program is that the healthy habits percolate up to the adults. Lessons: 1. Instead of medicating kids in school, keep them active. 2. Physical and nutritional education are essential. 3. Kids are capable. Links: Rod Dixon's KiDSMARATHON http://www.kidsmarathonfoundation.org/ CREDITS Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, Dr. Delle & David Deluca Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan

Mar 28, 2017 • 25min
136: Keno Knieriem | Can you Surf Without Ocean?
Is it possible to develop a surfing culture without an ocean? What would that mean? Keno Knieriem left the navy and to developing surf parks on man made lakes that simulate Hawaiian waves with his company Honokea. It is either the best thing or worst thing to happen to surfing. Will it nurture a whole new generation of surfers who would not experience the sport otherwise? Will introducing the sport to the masses allow for the proper amount of respect to grow around it? The company hopes to spread not only surfing but the traditional values that com with it. Lessons: 1. In the spirit of aloha, give all that you can. 2. Start at zero, carrying no expectations, everyday. 3. You must go through a rite of passage to appreciate what you have. Honokea Surf Parks http://honokea.com/ CREDITS Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, Dr. Delle & David Deluca Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan

Mar 21, 2017 • 24min
135: Dr. Greg Eells | How to thrive in ANY circumstance
You excel in ANY situation. Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at Cornell University Dr. Greg Eells explains how. In this interview describes how Viktor Frankl created meaning out of senseless and horrific circumstances. Frankl was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp and not only maintained his wits but retained the wherewithal to help the other prisoners. This shows the vital role that an imperturbable set of values can have in directing a productive life. Eels discusses some easy to follow guidelines to build this same sense of resilience. They may not be as easy to execute and incorporate into a routine, but that's on you, Lessons: 1. To be resilient remember SAVES: Social connections, Attitude, Values, Emotional Acceptance, and Silliness. 2. We are not punished for our attitudes we are punished by them. 3. You can make meaning out of even the most trying circumstances and in so doing persist. CREDITS Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, Dr. Delle & David Deluca Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan

Mar 14, 2017 • 24min
134: Robert Herbst | Powerlifting Champion with an IRREVOCABLE commitment
His doctor forbade world champion power lifter Robert Herbst to lift anything when he was a child with scoliosis. Eighteen world championships and twenty one consecutive national championships later, what compelled him to rebel? Herbst believes in managing risk but errs on the side of throwing caution to the wind. It's paid off spectacularly. His MO in all his successes, including his Clark Kentian day job as a lawyer, is that as soon as he identifies a challenge, he burns his ships. He makes an irrevocable commitment. Period. Lessons: 1. Better to fail on the stage, than fail by staying home. 2. Make an irrevocable commitment to your goal. 3. Be physically active enough that it becomes a need. Links: Make America Fit Again (TM). http://w8lifterusa.com Robert Herbst on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIT0iclJGOGQ68uKvFgJu1uvYjo50amBu CREDITS Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, Dr. Delle & David Deluca Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan

Mar 7, 2017 • 22min
133: Damali Elliott | Learned 3 Rules for Success from the Girls She Mentors
Demali Elliott mentors young women in challenging situations through creative and introspective activities to redirect their stories onto a positive trajectory with her program Petals-N-Belles. It is a rigorous program designed to help those ready to receive that help, sixty- eight young women at last count. The organization, largely staffed by volunteers, utilizes physical and mental challenges like rock climbing, trapeze and yoga to build emotional wellness and resilience. In this podcast Elliott describes three qualities she's seen in the girls that have most inspired her own success. Lessons: 1. Model energy that will energize those around you. 2. Bounce back. Be inspired by the ability of children, they fall and get up every day. 3. Dream big, you can fill in the details later. Link: Petals-N-Belles http://petalsnbelles.org/ CREDITS Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, Dr. Delle & David Deluca Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan

Feb 28, 2017 • 19min
132: Ray Ushikubo | Even at 5 He Understood the Value of Consistency
Musical prodigy Ray Ushikubo emulated what he saw on television and, contrary to what you might fear, discovered his passion. At five years old and with the help of supportive parents he his calling. Are there days he doesn't want to practice? Or course. But he practices without fail and is fast approaching the theoretical 10,000 hours of study to reach virtuosity. Ushikubo is already well on his way. Find out what it takes to go so far so fast so young. This young man has advice we can all learn from. Lessons: To alleviate anxiety, focus 100% on the task. Many times when setting out to accomplish a big task it's beneficial not to know what exactly you're getting into. An appreciative audience is a great motivator. CREDITS Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, Dr. Delle & David Deluca Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan

Feb 21, 2017 • 31min
131: Noah Devereux and Sam Branson | How the Branson Family Harnesses Challenge

Feb 14, 2017 • 21min
130: Kari & Marcelo Gleiser | Theoretical Physics, Psychology and Obstacle Racing
Marcello (an author and physics professor at Dartmouth College) and Kari (with a Ph.D focussed on trauma and PTSD,)decided to build an obstacle course in their backyard. What's the connection? Marcelo, the physicist, sees OCR and physics as a way to go beyond the known boundaries. Kari, the psychologist, sees it as a way to get out of our heads and connect with the physical, a vital way to get past anxiety. Both agree it's a great way for their family to develop life skills that translate into our personal and professional lives and transcend the inevitable resistance we face each day. Lessons: 1. Get in touch with your physical side to become a whole person. 2. Introduce mystery, possibility and the unknown into your world in order to transcend your boundaries. 3. The important thing is not to meet your goal but keep trying to meet your goal. LINKS: Marcello Gleiser http://marcelogleiser.com/ Kari Gleiser https://www.aedpinstitute.org/faculty/kari-gleiser-phd/ CREDITS Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, Col. Tim Nye, Dr. Delle & David Deluca Synopsis – Matt Baatz © 2017 Spartan


