Many of the most “successful people”in the world have a tough back story. They experienced tough times and instead of allowing those experiences or circumstances to define them, they chose to use those tough times to DRIVE them to greater heights.

Lessons:

Use your tough times to empower you vs over power you
Remember that people who are achieving success often times had the odds against them, but they chose strength & success over giving up
There are other people out there sharing their stories that you can relate to. Find 3 other podcasts to learn from and give them a listen today.
Sometimes you simply need a reminder that it can be done and your situation is not unique.
Change you frame of reference as Joe always says. Listen to another Spartan UP podcast episode and you’ll hear someone who has used their tough times as fuel for success!

LINKS:
More about Zach https://zacheven-esh.com
Read “The Spartan Way” https://www.spartan.com/en/race/learn-more/race-types-overview?article=the-spartan-way-book

SUBSCRIBE:

Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow
YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT
Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP & Zach:

Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/
Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod
Follow Zach on Instagram https://instagram.com/zevenesh
Follow Zach on Twitter https://twitter.com/zevenesh
Zach’s STRONG Life Podcast https://apple.co/2vFaCv1

CREDITS:

Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.
Host & Show Notes: Zach Even - Esh

© 2018 Spartan

When presented with both positive and negative feedback, why is it that we tend to focus on the negative? Ninety-nine positive comments followed by a single negative one, can lead us feeling determined to zoom in on the one rather than relish in the glory of the ninety-nine. This is called Filtering and it’s a common way of thinking that has the propensity to increase negative thoughts, decrease self-esteem, and exacerbate anxiety or depression. Recognizing when you are engaging in filtering and purposefully paying attention to the positive can help in preventing this mindset trap.

LESSONS:
Filtering occurs when we filter out the positive and bring in the negative.
Though some believe that focusing on the negative makes them stronger and better, it actually does the opposite, decreasing self-esteem and increasing negative thinking patterns.
When you catch yourself filtering, make an effort to bring in that which is positive as well. For each negative point that you focus on, try to focus on at least three positive ones.

SUBSCRIBE:
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow
YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT
Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP:
Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/
Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

CREDITS:

Production Team: Heather Knox, Knox Creative; Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.
Host: Dr. Lara Pence
Synopsis: Dr. Lara Pence

© 2018 Spartan

Can eating only raw fruits and vegetables improve your performance, health and recovery in racing? This week Myriam and Jacky explain how eating raw vegan has enhanced every aspect of their life - from a decade adventure racing to now conquering the obstacle courses at Spartan. Where can you find protein and what is your body really craving? … maybe they are onto something drinking seawater each day!

Lessons:
• Eating raw may help reduce the chance of injury and inflammation 
• A healthier diet can potentially alleviate allergies and asthma 
• You have to push your body hard to know it well 
• To change from a normal diet to a vegan diet should be done in steps 
• Put more vegetable juice into your diet by drinking it before meals
• Your body is craving minerals and vitamins 
• Watermelons are great for the end of hikes 
• Juicing the night before a race may help you feel lighter and ready to go 
• Protein can be found in fruits, vegetables and juices 
• Palm syrup and a little seawater may be great for you?!  

This episode of “Spartan Up!”  is sponsored by Athletic Greens.  Get 20 travel packs free when you order at https://athleticgreens.com/spartan

Time Stamps:
0:00 Joe intro to the Boisetts
0:52 Athletic Greens
1:22 Interview begins
3:00 eating raw vegan
4:00 It’s not about just performance but about health and recovery
5:00 healing asthma and allergies with a raw diet
6:00 how do you get protein? Myth vs. Fact
6:45 Spartan Race vs. expedition racing
7:40 Sleeping on a raw diet
8:38 Athletic Greens Break in an alpine lupine field
12:27 Interview continues
13:00 Yale study on protein consumption in athletes
14:10 we are not omnivores
15:00 how society normalizes a bad diet
16:00 winning adventure races: raw
17:00 pushing your body hard to know it well
17:30 race prep diet
19:00 advice to starting a raw vegan diet
21:00 bring a watermelon to the top of mountains :)
22:00 health benefits of seawater
23:00 Joe De Sena’s commentary on the interview and what’s coming up next!
24:00 Athletic Greens special offer for Spartan’s

SUBSCRIBE:
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow
YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT
Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

LINKS:
http://www.myriametjacky.com/

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP:
Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/
Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

CREDITS:
Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.
Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, and Col. Tim Nye.
Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra
Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty

© 2018 Spartan

Obstacles can stop you in your tracks or, with the right mindset, you can find the opportunities in these obstacles. Dan Sullivan of Strategic Coach has a great quote, all those things that seem to oppose our goals are actually the raw material for achieving them.

LESSONS:

• Write down a list of “obstacles” holding you back in any area of your life (Work / Career, Health, etc)
• Get creative with these obstacles. What action can you take that will move you through the obstacle and turn this obstacle into an opportunity.
• Take immediate action to transform your obstacles into an opportunity.

LINKS:

Dan Sullivan of Strategic Coach https://strategiccoach.com

More about Zach https://zacheven-esh.com

Read “The Spartan Way” https://www.spartan.com/en/race/learn-more/race-types-overview?article=the-spartan-way-book

SUBSCRIBE:

Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT

Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP & Zach:

Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/

Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

Follow Zach on Instagram https://instagram.com/zevenesh

Follow Zach on Twitter https://twitter.com/zevenesh

Zach’s STRONG Life Podcast https://apple.co/2vFaCv1

CREDITS:

Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.

Host & Show Notes:  Zach Even - Esh

© 2018 Spartan

We have a lot of power and control to change our own trajectories. We can pivot at any moment though we often get stuck in certain thinking patterns that become barriers to us shifting direction. One of these thinking patterns is something called all-or-nothing thinking. It is a tendency to think in extremes - I’m either all in, or all out. The problem with this type of thinking is that if you start walking down one path you can feel stuck on that path because your mindset makes you believe there is no turning back. Shifting out of all-or-nothing thinking by reminding yourself that you can pivot at any point is a useful tool and it can help you change course with greater ease.

LESSONS:

• There are points of pivot available to you at any moment. You just have to be open.

• All-or-nothing thinking is a pattern of thinking in extremes - All in, or All out.

• Identifying all-or-nothing thinking can help you acknowledge that you have greater control to shift direction.

• Remind yourself that points of pivot are everywhere. One step off course does not mean you have to keep headed down that path.

SUBSCRIBE:

Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT

Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP:

Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/

Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

CREDITS:

Production Team: Heather Knox, Knox Creative; Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.

Host: Dr. Lara Pence

Synopsis: Dr. Lara Pence

© 2018 Spartan

What does it take to mentally conquer any challenge? This week Claudio Alessi, a man with a seemingly endless list of championships and achievements, tells Joe that all of it boils down to service.  Joe Desena talk with the Swiss Ski team’s team mental coach who has over 50 years of martial arts training and is a 7 time world champion - he even won the Arm Wrestling World Cup in 1996. The principles and tactics he’s learned he adapted to create mental and biomechanics martial arts training for people with disabilities to conquer their goals. If you want results you need to balance your mental and physical and most importantly have passion! And whatever your goal - just start NOW.

LESSONS:

• Balance the mental and physical aspects of your life
• You must have passion to have results
• Align your mentality with your challenge
• It’s all about perseverance, KEEP GOING!
• Set a target and go for it, then surpass it
• If you believe in yourself, it’s all possible
• If you have an objective, start NOW
• Do something bigger than you
• Give without expecting anything back
• Become one with the elements of the earth to be strong: move with them

Teeter has a special offer just for our listeners. Get the Teeter with bonus accessories and a FREE pair of Gravity Boots by going to https://teeter.com/spartan/

TIME STAMPS:

0:00 Intro: listen overcome the obstacles of your mind!

0:18 Johnny Waite, Col. Nye, Sefra the Seed Huntress and Joe Desena introduce this week’s guest

2:00 Martial arts as a balance between the mental and the physical

3:00 How to teach people with handicaps to use martial art skills in everyday function

5:20 How to conquer any challenge

6:00 How to put your mentality to the race

7:45 Advice from the mental coach of the Swiss Olympic Ski Team

8:12 Teeter Break

10:47 More of the interview with Claudio Alessi

11:00 What it takes to persevere

12:35 Believe and it is possible

13:50 Becoming part of nature and the elements

14:30 Synchronize with the earth to be strong

18:48 Johnny Waite, Col. Nye, Sefra the Seed Huntress and Joe Desena discuss the interview

SUBSCRIBE:

Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT

Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP:

Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/

Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

CREDITS:

Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.

Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, and Col. Tim Nye.

Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra

Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty

© 2018 Spartan

I was 19 years old and had just started working at Price Club. I was working for less than a month and was awarded “Employee of the Month”. How did it happen? Simple. I went above and beyond “normal” effort. This is something you can apply to ALL areas of life, not just your work or career. Good enough is the death of greatness.

LESSONS:

• Complacency is when you find yourself saying, That’s not my job.
• To achieve more in life you must be willing to do more, even if the pay off is not immediate.
• Normal actions = normal results. This is also known as average. You’re a Spartan and Spartans don’t do anything with average effort or intentions. Get out there and be AWESOME.

LINKS:

More about Zach https://zacheven-esh.com

Read “The Spartan Way” https://www.spartan.com/en/race/learn-more/race-types-overview?article=the-spartan-way-book

SUBSCRIBE:

Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT

Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP & Zach:

Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/

Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

Follow Zach on Instagram https://instagram.com/zevenesh

Follow Zach on Twitter https://twitter.com/zevenesh

Zach’s STRONG Life Podcast https://apple.co/2vFaCv1

CREDITS:

Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.

Host & Show Notes:  Zach Even - Esh

© 2018 Spartan

Our values are a set of principles by which we choose to live our life. Values can not only help guide us towards what we want but they can also be used as a barometer for what truly matters to us. Sometimes, however, we lose sight of our values and find ourselves engaging in behaviors that are not in alignment with our values. This can not only create a general sense of discontent but can also lead to depression, anxiety, addiction, and other significant struggles. Evaluating whether or not our behaviors are in alignment with our values is a key step to ensuring that our integrity is intact and that we are being true to what matters to us.

LESSONS:

• Values: A set of principles by which you choose to live your life.  
• Evaluating whether or not your behaviors are in alignment with your values can help determine whether there may be internal conflict that is creating discontent.
• Follow these three steps to evaluate whether or not you are in alignment:

1. Identify three values that matter most to you.
2. Ask yourself: Are my behaviors aligned with my values?
3. If your behaviors are not in alignment with your values, get curious about what may need to change and start to make some shifts.

SUBSCRIBE:

Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT

Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP:

Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/

Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

CREDITS:

Production Team: Heather Knox, Knox Creative; Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.

Host: Dr. Lara Pence

Synopsis: Dr. Lara Pence

© 2018 Spartan

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), is the REI of Canada whose founder wants you to be part of the company, find your purpose and GET OUTSIDE! Raised in South Africa and served in active combat in Angola, his toughest challenge was actually finding a job once he moved to Canada. In this episode we will learn how to define ourselves in difficult moments, find our purpose and how going through tough situations actually fortifies you with a more full life to “suck the marrow out of every experience.”

LESSONS:

• The worst thing you’re going through in your life turns out to be the best
• Structure your organization to give customers what they need
• Get off the couch and out the door!
• Use your profits to give back and improve your community
• Success is not necessarily measured in dollars
• Evaluate yourself against who you were yesterday
• Be better than you were yesterday
• Come out of experiences with a positive frame of mind
• As a young person seek a right of passage- embrace discipline and hardship
• Be of value to your country community and family
• It’s not about finding happiness, FIND PURPOSE
• Don’t be too scared to fail
• Learn how to define yourself in difficult moments
• Be able to handle tough situations and stress to have a full life
• Suck the marrow out of every experience
• Be ready and open for the opportunity, it’s about timing and luck
• Appreciate today
• Design your company to caretake the environment

This episode of “Spartan Up!”  is sponsored by Athletic Greens.  Get 20 travel packs free when you order at https://athleticgreens.com/spartan

TIME STAMPS:

0:00 Joe Desena tells you why you need to listen

0:23 Athletic Greens

0:38 Sefra, Johnny, Col. Nye and Joe get you ready

1:28 Interview with David Labistour CEO of MEC

2:15 Customers as owners of the organization

3:30 What is  co-op structure

4:00 putting money back into the community to get people outdoors

4:50 stop evaluating yourself against other people

6:00 active combat in Angola

7:40 what is purpose?

8:20 how do you find passion?

9:40 how do you define yourself in difficult moments?  

10:00 how handling stress leads to a more full life

10:37 Athletic Greens Break

16:55 during hard time: gas in car or buy food? ?

18:35 be ready and open for the opportunity

20:45 designing your company with ecological values

21:04 Sefra, Johnny, Col. Nye and Joe De Sena discuss the interview

LINKS:

MEC https://www.mec.ca/en/

SUBSCRIBE:

Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT

Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP:

Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/

Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

CREDITS:

Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.

Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, and Col. Tim Nye.

Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra

© 2018 Spartan

During an interview I heard with Yanik Silver and Gary Vaynerchuk MANY years ago, I learned a favorite lesson from Gary. It had nothing to do with how fancy your website looks, how awesome your logo is, etc. It’s ALL about genuinely caring. That is the foundation and overall essence of what you do . You can’t fake it. Never take for granted the work you do and the people you impact.

LESSONS:

• Take the focus off yourself and focus on helping others.
• Genuinely care. You can’t fake this so there is no trick to caring.
• Don’t underestimate how much you can impact someone’s life simply by being kind. It’s always nice to be nice :)

LINKS:

Gary Vaynerchuk Interview https://youtu.be/UXALV1L3Gjs

Yanik Silver Interview https://youtu.be/AMWhfhKdpL4

More about Zach https://zacheven-esh.com

Read “The Spartan Way” https://www.spartan.com/en/race/learn-more/race-types-overview?article=the-spartan-way-book

SUBSCRIBE:

Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT

Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP & Zach:

Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/

Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

Follow Zach on Instagram https://instagram.com/zevenesh

Follow Zach on Twitter https://twitter.com/zevenesh

Zach’s STRONG Life Podcast https://apple.co/2vFaCv1

CREDITS:

Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.

Host & Show Notes:  Zach Even - Esh

© 2018 Spartan

Readiness is the state of being prepared to take on a new challenge at any given time. There are two key components of being ready, 1. Your capacity to manage change, and 2. Your willingness to try new things. In this episode, learn about the stories and beliefs that you have about yourself as it relates to these two things and how they may be creating a barrier to being ready.

LESSONS:

• Readiness is built from two key components:
• 1. Your capacity to manage change.
  2. Your willingness to try new things.  
• Understanding the stories/beliefs that you have about yourself as it relates to these two components will help identify it there are barriers to you being ready.
• You can easily shift your mindset about being ready by using more positive language about both change and trying new things.
• 1. “I don’t do well with change” --> “I don’t like change but I can manage it.”

SUBSCRIBE:

Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT

Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP:

Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/

Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

CREDITS:

Production Team: Heather Knox, Knox Knox Creative; Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.

Host: Dr. Lara Pence

Synopsis: Dr. Lara Pence

2018 Spartan

She was run over TWICE & still runs with a smile, Amanda Sullivan will teach you to be the candle that banishes darkness.  Amanda is someone who runs into the fire, she has worked with little girls who have been sex trafficked, orphans and refugees from areas of natural disaster and conflict, and was hit by a car … twice. Her previous experiences fortified her with a remarkably resilient baseline, her infectious smile and enthusiasm reminds us to  “be the hero your waiting for,” and that we all must rise above our circumstances and reignite our inner flames.

LESSONS:

• Stop waiting be be rescued, rescue yourself!
• Don’t live in the glory days of the past, be present
• Live on your own terms
• You are in control of your attitude and what you fuel your mind/ body/ soul with
• Fight back again adversity
• Rise above your circumstances
• Ignite your inner flame, fight the darkness
• You’re capable of far more than you think
• Train your soul by training your mind

Teeter has a special offer just for our listeners. Get the Teeter with bonus accessories and a FREE pair of Gravity Boots by going to https://teeter.com/spartan/

TIME STAMPS:

0:00 Hosts intro

1:45 Being run over

3:00 Contemplating suicide

4:45 Living on her own terms

5:45 Signing up for a 5k

6:40 Teeter Break

9:00 Two accidents not one

10:30 Feeling desperate

11:00 Mom as her hero

11:55 You’re in control, fight back against adversity

13:00 Life is hard, when you accept that it becomes easier

14:00 Caretaking for her mother: through dying showed her how to live

15:45 Being capable of far more than you think- train your soul

16:20 Sefra, Johnny, Col. Nye and Joe De Sena discuss the interview

LINKS:  

Amanda Sullivan on Facebook www.Facebook.com/AmandaSullivanSmiles

Amanda Sullivan on Instagram www.Instagram.com/Crutching_Tigress

SUBSCRIBE:

Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT

Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay

FOLLOW SPARTAN UP:

Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/

Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod

CREDITS:

Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.

Hosts: Joe De Sena with Johnny Waite, Sefra Alexandra, and Col. Tim Nye.

Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra

© 2018 Spartan