In this episode of The Hard Way podcast, Joe De Sena interviews Paul Foster, the founder of the iconic fitness brand Reebok.
 
Tune in as Foster recounts growing up in a family shoe business plagued by infighting, and his risky decision to break out on his own with his brother. Listen how this small startup found its big break by pivoting to capitalize on the aerobics craze just starting to sweep the nation.
 
Foster shares the story of how resilience, innovation, and an openness to new opportunities allowed Reebok to outmaneuver giants and become the #1 brand in women's fitness worldwide. De Sena and Foster also discuss invaluable lessons around turning obstacles into opportunities and how perseverance can pay off big for entrepreneurs willing to work hard and think outside the box.
 
Highlights:
00:00 Intro
00:49 How did Reebok start?
04:16 Selling Reebok and going into aerobics
06:24 Surviving and thriving in business
08:07 Working with family members
09:23 Why do most companies fail?
10:43 The role of luck in success
11:28 The importance of sports
12:55 Writing a book - Shoemaker
15:42 How can people find Joe?
16:08 Preparing the second book
17:53 Just keep going

When does pursuing your goals mean neglecting your relationships? For high-performing couples, maintaining intimacy may become hard and require intentionality.
 
In this episode, Amy Wine shares her strategies for helping elite athletes, entrepreneurs and busy professionals prioritize connection - even when life gets hectic. Learn a system for designing communication around each partner's unique rhythms and needs.
 
Learn about the "married roommate" trap and how to overcome it. Discover Amy's techniques for educating spouses on the elite mindset and scheduling meaningful moments together.
 
Whether you're training for the Olympics or building an empire, get Amy's advice for keeping romance alive while chasing your dreams.
 
Highlights:
00:00 Intro
01:04 Who is Amy Wine?
01:40 Troubles with relationships
03:57 Married roommates stage
07:31 High-class problems
09:21 Being there for your spouse
11:23 The mindset of wanting the change
15:46 Finding the joy
18:08 We don’t own stuff, it owns us
20:41 How can people find Amy?

While most would have quit after repeatedly getting cut from teams, Dre Baldwin refused to give up on his basketball dreams. This episode shares his incredible journey from benchwarmer to going pro, despite the countless setbacks along the way.
 
You'll learn how he maintained an unstoppable motivation to improve day after day through strategies like constantly problem-solving new approaches. Dre also discusses the mindset it takes to achieve big goals, emphasizing the importance of working with others who are truly ready to put in the effort.
 
For anyone wanting to up their game in life and business, this episode is a must-watch source of inspiration and practical advice on overcoming obstacles through grit and determination.
 
Highlights:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Work on Your Game phrase
02:29 Why don’t people work on their game?
04:55 Staying focused and motivated  
06:55 Fight against the gravity
08:45 How to motivate unmotivated people?
14:17 Joe’s invite to his event
15:18 Transformation stories
19:31 How can people find Dre

This episode follows the transformation of successful entrepreneur Andy Goldstrom from a results-driven corporate executive to a compassionate parenting coach. Faced with his own daughter's mental health struggles, Andy realized the tough love approach that worked in business failed his family.
 
Through difficult lessons and parent coaching certification, Andy learned to see issues through his child's eyes. Now he shares these hard-won insights to help others strengthen bonds with kids facing unprecedented challenges.
 
Tune in as Andy discusses his pivotal journey with Spartan Race founder Joe De Sena. Hear real-world strategies for setting boundaries, building trust and finding perspective - even in divorce. Discover how simple acts of attunement can ease parenting pressures in our hyper-connected world.

Connect with Andy: www.parentsjourneycoaching.net
 
Highlights:
00:00 Intro
00:43 Mental health challenges
04:03 Learning curve and coaching
08:11 Authoritative parenting styles
09:35 Setting boundaries around dating
11:10 When to allow the use of phones
12:56 Kids today have too much pressure
17:12 The importance of exercise for anxiety and depression
18:30 Welcome to Holland parable
20:57 Three things for parents to do
23:08 Kids need support and understanding

Tired of being average? Want to take your game to the next level and become unstoppable? This episode will show you how to maximize your innate strengths, tap into your deepest interests, and unleash an unstoppable drive to win.
 
Former military strategist James King shares his science-backed approach to identifying your "sweet spot" and aligning your goals in a way that ignites your full potential. Spartan CEO Joe De Sena opens up about applying these principles to build an empire and change millions of lives.
 
Discover the secrets of the world's top performers and leave with an action plan to optimize your body and mind for total excellence.
 
Highlights:
00:00 Intro
00:42 Who is James King?
02:45 Studying performance science at the University of Edinburg
09:26 Key goals to pursue in order to excel
12:42 Leaning into strengths or fixing the weaknesses?
15:01 How hard is it to figure out your interests?
17:41 Just start doing something
20:22 Finding your sweet spot
23:13 The University of Better

For more insights into James King, be sure to explore:

Social Media Handles-
Instagram: @jamesaking_
LinkedIn: @acceleratingexcellence
Youtube: @acceleratingexcellence
Twitter: @jamesaking

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B15MT2F9?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_WC2SR2T9WSA12ZZCTFDP

Spotfiy: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=be50920d345347ea

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

In this episode, marketing pioneer Seth Godin shares his proven strategies for building viral movements and brands. He and the Spartan founder Joe De Sena talk about the power of cultivating small, passionate communities over mass appeal.
 
Godin draws from his experience helping top brands connect through stories and building a community. He explains how understanding the way ideas spread socially unlocked his viral successes.
 
Seth points out that the most successful brands are built like "religions" that unite people through shared experiences. He also talks about happiness as a choice and the advantages of the world we live in.
 
For anyone wanting to inspire a change, this conversation provides valuable lessons on spreading ideas that uplift, becoming a viral phenomenon, and establishing movements that empower lives.

Episode presented by MudGear
 
Highlights:
00:00 Intro
00:42 The world is not your customer
02:08 Is a small audience enough?
04:31 The secret to becoming viral
08:01 The success of Joe’s New York restaurant
09:10 What would Seth as a head of Spartan?
13:33 How did Seth find his path?
14:25 Being happy is a choice
16:47 Building a brand is building a religion
18:36 The war in Ukraine from a marketing perspective
21:12 How can you find Seth?

Craig Levinson has overcome countless obstacles on his journey from South Africa to Silicon Valley. After immigrating as a teen, he chased his basketball dreams in the US only to have a devastating injury end his career. But he refused to quit, pivoting to build supplement brands and manage inspirational clients.
 
Through it all, 3 principles have guided him: accountability, consistency, and self-care. In this episode, Craig shares gripping tales of his moves across the world, business failures, and backstage encounters that led him to create a very sought-after agency. His story is an inspiration for anyone willing to keep chasing their dreams against all odds.
 
Highlights:

00:00 Intro
00:43 Craig Levinson’s family and background
02:34 Moving to the United States at 19
05:13 Playing college basketball and getting injured
08:18 Creating a supplement brand and failing
11:31 Pivoting and finding a way through
13:10 Meeting his faith in the backstage of Ellen DeGeneres show
15:33 Working with A-list clients
17:34 Thee things important for success
20:48 How to find Craig?
21:54 Final words

Dominic Schlueter was a regular kid who loved running. Through consistency, the right influences, and taking action on his dreams, he's built a thriving podcast and brand at just 18 years old.
 
In this episode, Dominic recounts how from a young age he found joy in challenging himself on the track. That drive soon led him to seek out greater obstacles through podcasts and books. And it inspired him to start his own show to share the stories of people that he found inspiring.
 
Dominic talks about his fascination with Joe’s podcast and “threats” from his dad to send him to Joe De Sena's infamous farm. Years later, he is having an interview with Joe himself and talking about pushing himself to the limit through running, life-changing lessons he learned about grit, a circle of influence, and turning passion into purpose.
 
Tune in to hear more from this fascinating young man!

Joe De Sena interviews Craig Siegel who is an author and motivational speaker. While having a successful business on Wall St Craig felt unfulfilled. He re-invented himself and constantly pushed himself into discomfort until he found a passion that would get him out of bed in the morning. He now helps others find their true potential and calling.