The Hard Way With Joe De Sena

What holds when everything breaks is not motivation, talent, or hype? It's rules built under pressure. In this episode, elite ultra-endurance athlete and coach Jeff Browning, aka Bronco Billy, talks with Joe De Sena about how distance exposes weak standards and why rules, not motivation, decide who finishes. They break down hard calendars, pre-set rules, and the cost of quitting under pressure. This is a straight talk on ownership, preparation, and making clear decisions when fatigue hits. Listeners leave with simple rules they can apply immediately to training, work, and life.   Things You Will Learn How setting rules in advance prevents quitting under pressure Why long distance and hard deadlines force discipline faster than motivation How finishing hard things builds repeatable resilience   Tools & Frameworks Covered Hard Calendars: Force daily accountability and consistent action Pre-Set Rules: Remove emotional decision-making under fatigue Finish vs. Quit Framework: build resilience by training completion, not comfort   If this episode moved you, don't just listen. Do something about it. Sign up. Show up. Do the work. Spartan.com. No more excuses.   Jeff Browning, known as Bronco Billy, is one of the most durable and decorated ultrarunners on the planet. With over 200 ultras and 40+ career wins including 32 victories at the 100 - mile distance he's proof that grit, adaptability, and discipline can outlast age and adversity. From farm chores in Missouri to near-death mountain moments, Jeff's story embodies endurance through hardship, mindset mastery, and the pursuit of longevity through "the hard way."   Connect to Jeff : Website: https://www.gobroncobilly.com/about-jeff-browning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gobroncobilly 

Pressure doesn't ask if you're ready. It hits, and most people freeze. Retired Navy SEAL officer and combat leader Jason Redman talks with Joe De Sena about Hell Week, Ranger School, combat failure, recovery, and the rule of getting off the X. They break down why thinking too long gets you stuck, why quitting in the moment is a mistake, and how discipline is built by moving first and fixing it later. The takeaway is direct: act under pressure, own the outcome, and build resilience through discomfort, not comfort.   Things You Will Learn: How to act when pressure hits Why hesitation keeps you stuck How discipline is built through movement   Tools & Frameworks Covered: Get Off the X: act before conditions improve Never Quit in the Moment: avoid bad decisions under stress Awareness–Preparation–Action: stay effective when plans fail   If this episode hit, don't sit on it. Get off the X. Take action. Subscribe to the podcast. Follow for more hard rules. Check Spartan races, books, and resources at Spartan.com. Own the work.   Jason Redman is a former U.S. Navy SEAL whose life was transformed by combat injury and near-death experience, turning that hardship into a powerful message of resilience, leadership, and human potential. After being severely wounded in Iraq and undergoing dozens of surgeries, he authored bestselling books and built a career speaking and coaching on overcoming adversity, teamwork, and mindset. His core themes: "get off the X" (moving from crisis to action), leadership under pressure, and the belief that greatness is within you regardless of circumstance.   Connect to Jason: Website: https://jasonredman.com/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonredmanww/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonredmanww/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-redman-b8324210/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYlcniaDl7BxOLMCn-EoXqw  

When everything gets hard, discipline decides the outcome. This episode cuts through the noise and shows what holds when the body quits and motivation is no longer an option. Explorer, ultra-endurance athlete, and expedition leader Ray Zahab talks with Joe De Sena about surviving cancer, crossing the Arctic, disconnecting from distraction, and choosing action under pressure. A no-nonsense breakdown of ownership, resilience, and rules tested by real pressure.   Things You Will Learn: How to keep moving when energy is gone and comfort is no longer available Why simple decisions outperform complex plans under pressure How repeated hardship forges real resilience through action Tools & Frameworks Covered: Stop or Go Rule: eliminates hesitation and forces commitment Calendar Discipline: enforces action before emotions interfere Discomfort as Training: conditions mental and physical endurance through exposure  If this episode moved you, don't just listen. Do something about it. Sign up. Show up. Do the work. Spartan.com. No more excuses.   Ray Zahab went from being a sedentary smoker to one of the world's most accomplished ultra-endurance explorers, running thousands of kilometers across the planet's harshest environments. His journey from unhealthy habits to global expeditions reveals the power of mindset shifts, resilience, and purpose-driven adventure. Through his non-profit impossible2Possible, he transforms exploration into education proving that breaking limits, physically and mentally, can empower others to do the extraordinary.   Connect to Ray: Website: https://zachbitter.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachbitter  YouTube: https://zachbitter.com/hpo 

Your mind quits before your body does. That's where most people fail. World-record ultra-endurance runner and endurance coach Zach Bitter sits with Joe De Sena to talk about what breaks people when the miles stack up. Discipline under load. Mental control past mile 60. The rules that keep you moving when quitting makes sense. They cut through ego, impatience, and comfort, explain how to manage mental breakdowns, and show why comfort destroys performance.   Things You Will Learn How to hold the line when your mind tells you to stop How to manage fatigue without negotiating with yourself How to build endurance through structure, not motivation Tools & Frameworks Covered Zoom Out / Zoom In Rule: keeps you moving by shrinking the problem and controlling focus Low-Intensity Discipline Model: builds endurance without burning out or quitting early Anti-Comfort Execution Rule: removes easy exits to maintain forward momentum   If this episode moved you, don't just listen. Do something about it. Sign up. Show up. Do the work. Spartan.com. No more excuses.   Zach Bitter is an American ultramarathon runner who set world records in the 100-mile and 12-hour runs, showcasing the limits of human endurance. A former collegiate athlete turned elite ultrarunner, Zach has built his career around disciplined training, mental toughness, and strategic performance. As a coach and podcaster, he helps others develop resilience, focus, and sustainable methods for peak endurance.    Connect to Zach: Website: https://zachbitter.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachbitter  YouTube: https://zachbitter.com/hpo

Being smart won't save you when pressure shows up. Why intelligence fails without discipline, ownership, and the ability to read what isn't written? CodeBreaker Mindset author, former investment banker, journalist, and venture partner Chitra Nawbatt talks with Joe De Sena about making decisions under stress, voluntary versus forced pivots, and why comfort keeps capable people stuck. The focus is on simple rules, earned judgment, and building discipline that holds when conditions get hard.   Things You'll Learn: How to recognize unwritten rules before they cost you momentum How to make decisions under pressure instead of freezing or defaulting to comfort How to build discipline that allows you to pivot before life forces it Tools & Frameworks Covered: CodeBreaker Mindset: A discipline for reading unwritten rules before they break you Voluntary vs. Forced Pivots: A rule for moving early instead of waiting for failure to decide for you Pattern Recognition Under Pressure: A method for making cleaner decisions when stress and noise increase   If this episode moved you, don't just listen. Do something about it. Sign up. Show up. Do the work. Spartan.com. No more excuses.   Chitra Nawbatt is a multidisciplinary executive known for building businesses, guiding leaders through high-stakes decisions, and developing the CodeBreaker Mindset framework. Her career spans investing, media creation, and interviewing top leaders on growth, innovation, and resilience. She represents the themes of strategic pressure, personal reinvention, and disciplined mindset transformation.   Connect to Chitra Nawbatt: Website: https://www.chitranawbatt.com/about-chitra   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chitranawbatt/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChitraNawbattPage   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chitranawbatt/   Twitter/X: https://x.com/chitranawbatt     

Most people fail under pressure because they never trained for it. What holds up under pressure is built long before comfort disappears. Army veteran, burn survivor, speaker, and actor JR Martinez sits down with Joe De Sena to break down how discipline is built before the crisis, why weak standards collapse fast, and how ownership, autonomy, and daily reps create real resilience. They cover parenting without rescue, pausing instead of reacting, using discomfort as data, and why refusing to lower standards is non-negotiable. Listeners leave with clear rules for holding the line when pressure hits.   Things You Will Learn: Why pressure exposes weak standards and untrained discipline How refusing rescue builds strength, autonomy, and resilience How to stay in the fight when stress removes comfort Tools & Frameworks Covered: Pressure as the Test: Shows what was actually trained No-Rescue Parenting and Leadership: Builds ownership and accountability Pause Before You Break: Keeps control when pressure spikes Timestamps: 00:38 Childhood responsibility and building autonomy early 07:37 When pressure exposes weak standards 13:15 Learning to pause instead of reacting under stress 17:45 Pressure as a test not a punishment 20:49 Using hardship as data instead of excuses   If this episode moved you, don't just listen. Do something about it. Sign up. Show up. Do the work. Spartan.com. No more excuses.   Connect to JR Martinez: Website: https://jrmartinez.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjrmartinez/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjrmartinez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrmartinez/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JRMartinez83  Twitter/X: https://x.com/iamjrmartinez

Mental toughness doesn't come from motivation—it comes from choosing discomfort on purpose. In this episode, endurance legend Michael Wardian, elite ultra-runner and Senior Olympics competitor, breaks down the daily discipline that carried him through failed record attempts, a 3,332-mile run across the United States, and years of relentless endurance training. He explains why simple reps like 100 burpees a day build real accountability, how purpose outlasts motivation when everything hurts, and what sustained suffering teaches you about identity, resilience, and grit.   Timestamps 04:30 The treadmill 50K world record attempt 09:07 Running 3332 miles across the United States 14:07 The 100 burpees for 100 days challenge 18:10 The mental trick that gets you started 20:02 How to choose a meaningful goal 23:12 Helping athletes with disabilities   Tools & Frameworks Mentioned: 100 Burpees for 100 Days protocol – builds daily accountability and discipline "Do 5 First" resistance-breaker – lowers friction to get started Purpose-driven goal setting – sustains effort when motivation fades Things You Will Learn: Daily discipline builds mental toughness faster than motivation. Purpose keeps you locked in when everything hurts. Do hard things every day. That's how endurance and identity grow. Discipline comes from choosing the hard way every day. Set a purpose, stay accountable, and build the reps that move you forward.   What's your hard? If this story moved you, sign up, show up, and do something about it. Spartan.com. No more excuses.    

Ryan "Birdman" Parrott grew up without direction, failed classes, and struggled to connect. One sentence from a Marine teacher flipped a switch and pushed him toward the Navy SEALs. That decision dropped him into one of the toughest training pipelines on the planet and later into Iraq, where a roadside bomb almost killed him.   In this episode, Ryan breaks down the mindset that carried him from a chaotic childhood to SEAL Team deployments, a near-fatal blast, and the long climb to rebuild purpose after war. His story shows what grit, discipline, and resilience look like when the pressure is real. If you want a clear picture of mental toughness from someone who earned it, this conversation will push you to get moving. Three Key Learnings 1. How daily discipline builds real toughness. 2. Why taking care of your body keeps you in the fight. 3. How purpose and forward movement rebuild you after hard hits Timestamps 00:00 Who is Ryan "Birdman" Parrott 01:00 Growing up without direction 03:08 The teacher who changed his life 04:09 Discovering the SEALs and committing fully 05:53 What it really takes to survive BUD/S 00:00 Ryan "Birdman" Parrott 00:13 Growing up lonely without direction 03:14 Committing to becoming a SEAL 05:48 Surviving BUD/S and learning real toughness 07:24 Entering the teams and finding meaning 08:42 First deployment realities 12:30 Explosion & how Team survived 17:00 Returning injured to deployment 18:47 Leaving the Teams 19:42 Rebuilding purpose 21:08 Sons of the Flag Tools & Frameworks Mentioned Win the fight first Get off the X Take care of your body after training Repetition as progression Movement prevents idleness Stay busy to avoid complacency Remember that omorrow is not promised. Discipline and movement keep you sharp, intentional, and ready for whatever comes next.   What's your hard? If this story moved you, sign up, show up, and do something about it. Spartan.com. No more excuses.

She grew up with no roadmap, no support, and no clear path forward. One pull-up changed everything, leading her into the Army and a career in explosive ordnance disposal. Twelve years later, Kaitlyn Hernandez built a life defined by discipline, resilience, and service. She shares how daily discomfort, purpose, and small hard choices shaped her mindset, helping her run a bomb-suit mile, set a world record, and tackle some of the military's toughest challenges.   3 Key Learnings: Small daily challenges build discipline, mental toughness, and high-stakes performance Leaning into discomfort strengthens resilience, focus, and decision-making Purpose, service, and consistent action create long-term endurance and growth   3 Tools / Frameworks: Controlled discomfort protocols: rucking, cold exposure, physical stress CNS reset through structured challenges Mindset reframing: "I get to, not I have to" and "Fix your face" to shift state   Timestamps: 00:51 – Growing up without structure and finding purpose in service 02:27 – Joining the military and discovering direction 04:08 – How she chose the bomb squad and what EOD means 07:48 – What EOD teams do during stateside and presidential missions 09:14 – How bomb suit training works and what "bomb suit dumb" means 10:28 – Breaking the world record and the strategy behind it 12:59 – Running a bomb-suit mile on all seven continents 13:39 – Preparing for the Antarctica mission and raising awareness 18:50 – Her step-by-step advice for building resilience through daily discomfort   Start with one hard thing, lean into discomfort, and build discipline through daily action.   📲 Short, Impactful Content 👉 Instagram: @spartanuppodcast 👉 From me directly: @realjoedesena 💥 Join the Spartan Community: 👉 Find Your Next Spartan Race: https://www.spartan.com/en/race/find-race 👉 For everything Spartan: https://www.spartan.com/

When the mission ends, the mindset stays. Navy SEAL veteran and leadership coach Kevin Stark talks with Joe about rebuilding identity after service, finding calm in pressure, and using simple daily discipline to stay grounded when life shifts. This conversation goes inside the habits, decisions, and mindset work that strengthen resilience, mental toughness, and control under stress. Timestamps 00:58 Why Kevin joined the SEALs at 18 02:29 How BUD/S training builds mental control 05:15 How he rebuilt identity after service 09:55 How service shapes leadership and humility 14:51 How cold exposure builds calm under stress Three Key Learnings How discipline builds mental toughness when external structure disappears How small daily actions raise resilience and calm under pressure How service and leadership shape identity after major transitions Tools, Frameworks, Strategies Response Gap: Creating space before reacting, rooted in Viktor Frankl's work Daily Discipline Reps: Push ups, cold exposure, breathwork to shift mindset fast Rota Path Method: Reflection-based leadership work through structured challenges Calm is trained through consistent action, not comfort. What's your hard? If this story moved you, sign up, show up, and do something about it. Spartan.com. No more excuses.   Listen & Subscribe: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-way-with-joe-de-sena/id952870930 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt   Short, Impactful Content: Instagram: @spartanuppodcast From host directly: @realjoedesena   Join the Spartan Community: Find Your Next Spartan Race For Everything Spartan

What happens when discipline meets adversity? In a world where comfort wins too easily, true progress begins with facing hard challenges head-on. Joe De Sena talks with ZOOZ Fitness founder and adaptive coach Jake Weiner about building grit through adaptive training, creating community for athletes with disabilities, and turning mindset shifts into lasting confidence.   Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Learned: Mindset Reframing: Jake explains how shifting "I can't" to "I'll try" transforms both athletes and parents, proving that confidence is built one small win at a time. Adaptive Coaching Approach: Training without specialized equipment—just smarter coaching, personalized cues, and consistent feedback. Environment and Community Design: Creating a supportive gym culture where athletes mirror each other's discipline, replacing isolation with shared strength. Routine as Ritual: Building daily movement habits that anchor mindset and consistency—discipline treated like brushing your teeth. Perspective Shift Practice: Using the mantra "It could be worse" to ground gratitude and push through discomfort.   Closing Insight: "Discipline turns obstacles into opportunity—because every hard thing you face trains both body and mind."   Listen & Subscribe: Apple: The Hard Way Podcast Spotify: The Hard Way Podcast   Short, Impactful Content:  Instagram: @spartanuppodcast From host directly: @realjoedesena   Join the Spartan Community: Find Your Next Spartan Race: spartan.com/en/race/find-race For everything Spartan: spartan.com   Timestamps: [00:10] The Mission Behind ZOOZ Fitness Jake explains how ZOOZ Fitness became a training ground for adaptive athletes. [03:25] Reframing the Mindset Jake shares how shifting mindset changes how athletes, parents, and coaches face challenges. [11:48] Building Rituals That Outlast Motivation Consistency beats intensity. Discipline becomes automatic when workouts are treated like daily hygiene. [15:21] The Power of Community and Spartan Grit Jake explains how his athletes train year-round for Spartan Races—proving that shared purpose and team energy build more than strength; they build resilience. [20:40] A Lesson in True Commitment One athlete skips Disneyland to make his workout. A reminder that when purpose is strong enough, excuses disappear.

How do you rebuild purpose after life knocks you down four times? Nick Klingensmith shares how cancer, addiction, and chronic illness didn't break him. They forged him.  Nick explains how hitting rock bottom led him to sobriety, discipline, and the Spartan Race community that reignited his purpose. He reflects on ownership, gratitude, and the power of taking the first step, signing up, even when you're not ready. His story is proof that resilience isn't motivation; it's daily action, built one uncomfortable decision at a time.   What You Will Learn: How to shift from a victim mindset to one of ownership and action. Why signing up, before you feel ready, is the first step toward real change. How community and accountability transform recovery into resilience.   Episode Highlights: 01:15 The first cancer diagnosis and the choice between living and dying. 03:06 Hitting rock bottom and choosing sobriety as an act of survival. 05:02 How a single Spartan Race broke years of self-limiting beliefs. 09:58 The power of the Spartan community to restore purpose and belonging. 13:44 Redefining setbacks through perspective, gratitude, and daily standards.   Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Learned: The "Sign-Up First" Rule: Commit before you feel ready, discipline follows action. Ownership Mindset: Replace self-pity with accountability for every obstacle. Gratitude as Reset: Daily gratitude breaks the cycle of frustration and defeat. Community Strength Model: Surround yourself with people who live by earned standards. "Progress is addictive, but only when you start moving."   Listen & Subscribe: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-way-with-joe-de-sena/id952870930 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt   Short, Impactful Content: Instagram: @spartanuppodcast From host directly: @realjoedesena   Join the Spartan Community: Find Your Next Spartan Race: https://www.spartan.com/en/race/find-race For everything Spartan: https://www.spartan.com/

After surviving a 695-mph ejection, Navy pilot Kegan Gill faced paralysis, addiction, and a broken system. He strips the story down to its core, discipline, ownership, and grit. This isn't motivation; it's survival through standards. Learn how to rebuild your mind, body, and purpose when everything else is gone.   Timestamps: [01:33] The mindset that separates doers from talkers. [06:15] Stepping into the F-18 cockpit, pressure and precision. [09:03] The 695-mph ejection, real endurance revealed. [19:15] How simple habits became the mission. [21:17] Fighting back against pain, pills, and the system.   What You Will Learn: How daily effort rebuilds discipline and grit. Why ownership, not pills, drives true recovery. How to apply military discipline to everyday life. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Learned: Daily Discipline: Small, consistent actions compound into recovery and long-term resilience. Ownership of Outcomes: Taking responsibility for rehabilitation, mental health, and career decisions. Physical Rehabilitation Principles: Structured nutrition, exercise, and rest to restore function. Opioid Weaning Strategy: Gradual reduction under self-discipline or physician guidance to regain autonomy. Holistic Healing Modalities: Integrating sleep, nutrition, exercise, nature, and alternative therapies for nervous system recovery. "Consistent effort, disciplined action, and ownership of recovery can rebuild life beyond what seems possible." Watch now on Youtube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@TheHardWayJDS 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@SpartanRaceTube  📲 Short, Impactful Content: 👉 From me directly: @realjoedesena) 💥 Join the Spartan Community:  👉 Find Your Next Spartan Race: https://www.spartan.com/en/race/find-race 👉 For everything Spartan: https://www.spartan.com/ The Hard Way Podcast With Joe De Sena, Hosted by Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan, this podcast delves into the principles of resilience, discipline, and the Spartan mindset. De Sena's journey from building a multimillion-dollar pool cleaning business in his teens to establishing a successful Wall Street trading firm showcases his entrepreneurial spirit. In 2001, he transitioned from finance to operate an organic farm in Pittsfield, Vermont, where his passion for endurance events like ultramarathons and adventure races flourished. This led to the creation of Spartan, aiming to inspire individuals to embrace challenges and push their limits.

Most men train their bodies, few train their minds. From cold plunges to carrying rocks uphill, this episode explores mastering the space between chaos and control. Joe De Sena talks with Will Schneider, mindfulness coach, former actor, and meditation teacher, on building strength through breath, stillness, and doing hard things, creating discipline under pressure, and transforming habits into resilience. What You Will Learn: How to use daily breath and stillness practices to strengthen your mind. Why embracing discomfort drives real mental and physical growth. How to integrate mindfulness and simple routines for resilience and discipline. Episode Highlights: [01:50] Why helping only men is central to Will's mission. [05:36] From acting to teaching mindfulness: the journey explained. [08:01] Starting with the breath as the foundation of mental training. [13:19] Physical challenges as tools for mental resilience. [19:26] Doing hard things to soften the ego and grow discipline. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Learned: Breathwork: Techniques for calmness under stress. Mind-Body Connection: Aligning physical actions with mental clarity. Small Daily Practices: Habits that compound into long-term resilience. Closing Insight or Key Takeaway: Drop the excuses. Breathe deeper. Get calm enough to crush anything. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:24 Meet Will Schneider 01:50 Why helping only men 03:10 What led him to meditation 04:23 Joe's 70s yogi story 05:36 From acting to teaching mindfulness 07:12 Will's meditation classes in practice 08:01 Start with the breath 11:03 Yoga as mental training 13:19 Physical challenges for mental resilience 15:13 Calming down to know yourself 16:52 Understand anger, habits & emotions 19:26 Doing hard things soften the ego 21:01 Mind, body, and breath connection 22:30 Three practices for transformation 24:38 Where to find Will Connect to Will: 🌐 Website: willnotfear.com 📸 Instagram: @willnotfear 💼 LinkedIn: Will Schneider 📘 Facebook: Will at Will Not Fear ✖️ Twitter/X: @willnotfear 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: 👉 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-way-with-joe-de-sena/id952870930 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt 📲 Short, Impactful Content: 👉 Instagram: @spartanuppodcast 👉 From host directly: @realjoedesena 💥 Join the Spartan Community: 👉 Find Your Next Spartan Race: https://www.spartan.com/en/race/find-race 👉 For everything Spartan: https://www.spartan.com/ About The Hard Way Podcast: Hosted by Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan, this podcast explores resilience, discipline, and the Spartan mindset. De Sena's journey from building a multimillion-dollar pool cleaning business in his teens to Wall Street success, then running an organic farm and creating Spartan, showcases how embracing challenges and endurance can transform life.  

He served multiple deployments, faced injury, and returned to duty with discipline and focus. Pain is the best teacher, and failure is where real growth begins. Joe De Sena talks with Ryan Hendrickson, retired Green Beret and landmine removal advocate, on mental toughness, navigating hardship, and rebuilding life through ownership and daily discipline. What You Will Learn: How failure and pain accelerate real growth. Why ownership and discipline matter more than medals. Daily routines and habits that reinforce resilience. Episode Highlights: [01:43] Ryan's military background and joining the Green Berets. [02:50] Surviving a landmine and continuing multiple deployments. [04:28] Mental health struggles and strategies for recovery. [08:11] Three lessons for overcoming hardship. [12:45] Using failure as a tool for growth and learning. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Learned: Pain as Teacher: Using difficult experiences to build toughness. Failure Utilization: Reframing setbacks as learning opportunities. Daily Discipline: Habits that reinforce resilience and mental clarity. Closing Insight or Key Takeaway: Real toughness isn't about muscles or medals. It's about getting up when life keeps trying to bury you. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:26 Meet Ryan Hendrickson, retired Green Beret 01:43 Ryan's background & joining the military 02:50 A 22-year military career & stepping on IED 04:28 Mental health struggles & rebuilding life 08:11 Three lessons for overcoming hardship 12:45 Failure as a tool for growth and learning 15:13 Ryan's daily routine 16:24 How to support Ryan's organization 16:59 The most heavily mined country in the world 18:20 The dangers of untracked minefields Connect to Ryan: 🌐 Website: ryanmhendrickson.com 📸 Instagram: @ryanmhendrickson.tipofthespear 📘 Facebook: Tip of the Spear Landmine Removal 💼 LinkedIn: Ryan Hendrickson ▶️ YouTube: Ryan Hendrickson – Tip of the Spear Landmine Removal ✖️ Twitter/X: @tipofthespear42 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: 👉 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-way-with-joe-de-sena/id952870930 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt 📲 Short, Impactful Content: 👉 Instagram: @spartanuppodcast 👉 From host directly: @realjoedesena 💥 Join the Spartan Community: 👉 Find Your Next Spartan Race: https://www.spartan.com/en/race/find-race 👉 For everything Spartan: https://www.spartan.com/ About The Hard Way Podcast: Hosted by Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan, this podcast explores resilience, discipline, and the Spartan mindset. De Sena's journey from building a multimillion-dollar pool cleaning business in his teens to Wall Street success, then running an organic farm and creating Spartan, showcases how embracing challenges and endurance can transform life.  

What happens when the toughest person you know completely breaks? The Queen of Pain crashed, hit her head, and lost everything that made her strong: drive, purpose, momentum. Rebecca Rusch talks about rebuilding from zero, letting go of ego, and finding strength through movement again. No fluff, no fake motivation, just raw lessons on how to get up when your mind quits first. Watch it, then move. What You Will Learn: How to rebuild discipline and resilience after major setbacks. Why movement and small wins are critical for recovery. How to reframe success and purpose after life-altering events. Episode Highlights: [00:33] The bike accident and post-concussion symptoms. [02:04] Losing mental health, motivation, and momentum. [06:43] Movement as medicine and letting go of ego. [10:10] Reframing what winning truly means. [14:21] Building a new mission and helping others heal. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Learned: Movement as Medicine: Using physical activity to restore mental and emotional balance. Small Wins: Leveraging incremental progress to rebuild confidence and momentum. Reframing Success: Adjusting mindset to align purpose with current reality. Closing Insight or Key Takeaway: Strength comes from getting up when your mind quits first. Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Rebecca Rusch, Queen of Pain 00:33 The Bike Accident & Post-Concussion Symptoms 02:04 Losing Mental Health & Motivation 04:45 Physical vs. Emotional Resilience 06:43 Movement as Medicine & Letting Go of Ego 10:10 Reframing What Winning Is 11:54 Finding Joy in Small Wins 13:33 Reflect, Move, Connect 14:21 New Mission: Helping Others Heal 15:30 Building Resources for Concussion Recovery 16:46 Thinking About Her First Spartan Race 18:06 Rebecca's Athletic Background Connect to Rebecca: 🌐 Website: rebeccarusch.com 📸 Instagram: @rebeccarusch 📘 Facebook: Rebecca Rusch 💼 LinkedIn: Rebecca Rusch – Rusch Ventures ▶️ YouTube: Rebecca Rusch 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: 👉 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-way-with-joe-de-sena/id952870930 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt 📲 Short, Impactful Content: 👉 Instagram: @spartanuppodcast 👉 From host directly: @realjoedesena 💥 Join the Spartan Community: 👉 Find Your Next Spartan Race: https://www.spartan.com/en/race/find-race 👉 For everything Spartan: https://www.spartan.com/ About The Hard Way Podcast: Hosted by Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan, this podcast explores resilience, discipline, and the Spartan mindset. De Sena's journey from building a multimillion-dollar pool cleaning business in his teens to Wall Street success, then running an organic farm and creating Spartan, showcases how embracing challenges and endurance can transform life.  

Summary: Most people break under pressure. Tom Nash didn't. At 19, he lost all four limbs to meningococcal septicemia. Instead of giving up, he built resilience, mental toughness, and a mindset stronger than steel. Tom reveals how he turned pain into purpose, why antifragility beats resilience, and what anyone can do to grow stronger through adversity. Watch now to learn how to build unshakable resilience.     Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:19 Meet Tom Nash, quadruple amputee 01:41 Early Life & Upbringing 02:15 Meningococcal Septicemia Diagnosis 05:07 Hospitalization & Life Support 06:47 Appreciating Small Things 07:37 Anti-Fragile Mindset 09:28 Practicing Anti-Fragility Daily 11:08 Amputations & Choosing Life over Death 15:07 Depression & Physical Pain 16:29 Stop Comparing Yourself to Others 17:53 Tom's "Last Meal" Project 19:36 Big Guests & Global Conversations 20:05 Three Everyday Mindset Tools 21;46 The Importance of Momentum 23:41 Where to Find Tom   Connect to Tom: Website: https://www.tomnash.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djhookie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tomnash LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomnash YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomNashTalks  

Ryan Pitts didn't quit when it mattered most. Outnumbered, wounded, and under relentless fire, this Medal of Honor recipient kept fighting. Ryan shares what combat taught him about grit, why brotherhood beats fear, and how to build real toughness in life outside the battlefield. Raw lessons on resilience, sacrifice, leadership, and mental strength, straight from someone who's lived it. No excuses. Listen, learn, and get tougher.   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:25 Meet Ryan, Medal of Honor recipient 01:48 Growing up in New England 02:47 Joining military service 03:56 Enlisting at age 17 04:20 Early Army struggles 04:55 The crucial battle in Afghanistan 06:38 Wounded under heavy fire 08:47 Training instincts kick in 10:58 Incredible acts of heroism 12:32 Challenges of coming home 14:49 Mental health culture shift 16:01 Medal of Honor explained 18:36 Life after military service 19:54 Hard things worth doing 20:49 Coaching kids and values 21:24 Contact details shared 21:30 Upcoming Spartan races 22:09 Closing final notes   Connect to Ryan: Website:  https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/pitts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

What happens when a Navy SEAL, a Spartan founder, and a Murph workout collide? You get hard truths about grit, discipline, and why your circle determines your ceiling. Jacob Werksman, Navy SEAL, author, and leadership coach at Harvard, breaks down the "meal to meal" mindset from SEAL Hell Week, the power of positive peer pressure, and how to turn suffering into fuel. "From finding people who force you to level up to sharpening self-awareness and presence, this talk rips success down to the basics that actually matter. If you're serious about growth, press play and get uncomfortable.   Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Navy SEAL Jacob Werksman 00:20 Early Murph start & peer pressure 01:38 SEAL culture & leveling up 03:08 Positive tension in life & work 04:14 Community sets your limits 04:46 Lessons from Joe's family life 05:22 Energy givers vs. takers 06:33 Harvard & Victory Strategies 08:29 what separates great leaders 09:46 Books: Leadership of Life Sport & Mastering Your Gap 12:50 Can anyone be a SEAL? 15:43 Therapy in endurance challenges 16:39 Addicted to the "suck" 17:10 Three tips for a great life 20:50 Getting teams to do hard things   Connect to Jacob: Website: https://www.victory-strategies.com/aboutjacob Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jacob_werksman/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwerksman/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXGyuRzeve0&ab_channel=VictoryStrategies

What kind of mindset does it take to train 7 years for one climb? Tommy Caldwell did exactly that before finally conquering the Dawn Wall in a 19-day climb that changed the sport forever. He also survived a kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan that tested his endurance in ways no mountain ever could. Tommy shares the lessons he learned through fear, pain, and grit. Tune in now and learn how to build the mindset to push past your own limits.   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:27 Meet Tommy Caldwell 01:47 Growing up climbing with his dad 02:33 Free climbing vs. free soloing explained 03:13 Climbing the Dawn Wall 04:50 Seven years of training for one climb 05:43 Physical and mental training routines 06:38 Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan the full story 10:24 How the climbers escaped captivity 11:19 Losing a finger in a construction accident 11:45 Building "obstacle immunity" through adversity 15:34 Endurance sports and human limits 16:14 What's next for Tommy 17:59 Mindset & finding strength in community 20:52 The Dawn Wall bool & film     Connect to Tommy: Website: tommycaldwell.com Instagram: instagram.com/tommycaldwell Facebook: facebook.com/1tommycaldwell LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tommy-caldwell-0472a98a Twitter/X: x.com/tommycaldwell1