The Hard Way With Joe De Sena

The Hard Way With Joe De Sena

Your partner in resilience training for mind and body. The official podcast of SPARTAN hosted by Joe De sena, founder and CEO of Spartan and NY Times best-selling author, and his team. Joe and his team travel the world chasing down the secrets to success in all aspects of life interviewing successful athletes, authors, entrepreneurs, professors, monks, moms and adventurers.

Episodes

July 1, 2025 19 mins
What happens when a 17-year-old signs up to swim 34km across freezing water—no wetsuit, no excuses—all to raise awareness for men’s mental health?
 
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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with a Marine veteran, Rob Jones, who lost both legs to an IED—but didn’t lose his drive, purpose, or grit.
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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Dean Karnazes, one of the world’s most relentless endurance athletes. Dean is an ultra-marathoner and is still competing hard at 60+.
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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Jessica Buchanan, a humanitarian worker who was kidnapped in Somalia and held hostage for 93 harrowing days.
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In this episode, Joe De Sena talks with strength coach and entrepreneur Chris Duffin about what it really takes to become mentally and physically unbreakable.
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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with CrossFit Games champion and Train Hard founder Jason Khalipa to explore what it really means to build grit, discipline, and lasting strength in a world that’s getting softer by the day.
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What does it really take to raise strong, confident girls in today’s world? In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Cesalina Gracie – Mount Everest climber, self-defense expert, and member of the iconic Gracie Jiu Jitsu family. Cesalina runs an all-women’s martial arts academy and has trained girls as young as two to stand their ground, trust their instincts, and lead with power.

They dive deep into the real difference between ...

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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with James Pieratt—a man who turned a past of heroin addiction and prison into a life of discipline, grit, and ultra-endurance. Now, he’s gearing up to run 1,000 miles along the California coast.
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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with one of the most unstoppable humans on the planet—a former Gurkha and UK Special Forces operator, Nims Purja, who walked away from a military pension to chase a dream the world called impossible.
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In this episode, Norman Wolfe reveals the hidden “psychic Read more
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What happens when a man with no arms and no legs decides to bear crawl to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro?
 
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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with endurance coach Floris Gierman to talk about the surprising power of slowing down to get faster, building consistency, and creating a healthier, more intentional life.
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In this solosode, Joe De Sena dives into the raw truth about extremism—why it can either fuel your greatness or sabotage your life.
 
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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with veteran, coach, and author Tara Pipia to explore how Spartan Racing and military discipline can help you overcome life’s greatest challenges.
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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with fitness expert and Mind Pump co-founder Justin Andrews to cut through the noise and get real about strength, discipline, and building a resilient body and mind.
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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Sophie Power, a mom of three who defied all odds - going from an unathletic, overweight teenager to a record-breaking endurance athlete! Read more
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In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with the unstoppable Iron Cowboy, James Lawrence, a man who redefined human endurance by completing 100 Ironmans in 100 days!

James reveals the untold truth behind his record-breaking endurance feat, the brutal battles with injury and recovery, and the mindset that kept him moving when everything screamed "quit." From losing it all in the 2008 financial crash to rebuilding his life through pas...

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Summary:
In this episode, Joe De Sena and Joshua Peach dive into how to turn your toughest challenges...
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In this episode, endurance legend Sean Conway reveals the mindset, discipline, and relentless drive that pushed him to complete 105 Ironmans in 105 days—even after a near-fatal accident!

Discover how to ditch excuses, find your tribe, and stay motivated when the going gets tough. Learn why having no Plan B is the key to pushing limits, breaking records, and achieving what seems impossible. From non-negotiable habits to mental tough...

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Tired of falling off the fitness wagon every January?

Spartan founder and endurance legend Joe De Sena teams up with triathlon champion Taren Gesell to share the ultimate formula for staying motivated, crushing your goals, and transforming your life.

They dive into a powerful 3-step system that has helped countless individuals turn their fitness aspirations into lasting success.

Discover how to set "scary" goals that push you beyon...

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