“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” — Will Rogers
Joe De Sena is a New York Times bestselling author, fitness icon, and the founder of Spartan—a global movement that’s transformed 15M+ lives through its world-renowned endurance events and lifestyle programs.
After a successful corporate career, Joe left it all behind to pursue a more meaningful mission: to get 100 million people off the couch. What started as a few races in Vermont has exploded into a global fitness phenomenon, with over 1M+ participants across 40+ countries every year.
Joe has personally completed more than 50 ultra-events, even completing 14 Ironmans in a single year. He now trains others to build mental toughness, embrace discomfort, and live with purpose.
In this episode:
• How to strengthen your mindset through physical challenges.
• The daily discipline behind elite performance.
• Why modern life makes us soft — and what to do about it.
• How to build a healthy, loving, and resilient family.
🍿 Let’s WIN THE DAY with Joe de Sena!
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🎬 Episode website (including 4K video, full transcript, best quotes, etc.): https://jameswhitt.com/260-win-the-day-podcast-joe-de-sena
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Episode links:
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⚡ Joe de Sena website
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Timemarkers:
00:00 Who is Joe De Sena
1:47 Interview starts
3:22 The decision to start Spartan (purpose vs corporate world)
5:22 Joe De Sena’s superpower
7:48 Develop the ability to inspire others
8:41 Why comfort kills (and the problem with laziness)
11:11 Almost going bankrupt
13:30 How Spartan saves lives
16:28 The #1 way to get out of depression
19:10 Your mental health depends on the people around you
20:45 The hardest habit for people to change
22:11 Why you’re failing with your health and fitness goals
23:22 How Joe De Sena sets (and achieves) goals
25:20 Are material possessions making you weak?
27:38 How to become more resilient
29:21 The toughest ultra events on the planet
31:22 How to get through your most challenging moments
32:46 How to know when enough is enough or if you're pushing too hard
34:09 Earn your reward
34:46 Joe De Sena parenting approach (always take the hard way with your kids)
35:42 Are you putting too much pressure on your kids?
39:03 Celebrate hard work with your kids
39:50 What sports to put your kids in
40:49 Focus on hard work (not winning or losing)
41:58 Joe De Sena family values
43:30 How to make your kids more resilient
45:23 Why parents need to model healthy behavior
46:24 How to stop a bad day from coming into the home
46:55 Affirmation
47:40 Rocket Round
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Onward and upward always…
#WinTheDay
PS — Enjoyed this episode? You'll love this one, too: Episode 248: Perform Under Fire with Leigh Anderson (paramedic)