The Hard Way With Joe De Sena

Joe De Sena
The Hard Way With Joe De Sena

Learn the Spartan mindset. Founder & CEO of Spartan Race and NY Times best-selling author, travels the globe seeking and answers authors, academics, athletes, adventurers, entrepreneurs, CEOs and thought leaders. It will shift your thinking, make you laugh and and give you the tools you need. He’s on a mission to find the secrets to success in all aspects of life. Not only does Joe interview epic people, he has brought together an amazing panel to break down and analyze every aspect of these interviews. We give you the ultimate blueprint and action steps to assimilating these powerful conversations into your own life.

  1. 2D AGO

    Adopt the “Never Zero” Mindset & Be the Man Who Never Quits

    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.   Jason shares the powerful life lessons he’s learned through elite competition, fatherhood, and personal adversity. They dive into the “Never Zero” mindset, the Train Hard code, and why fitness isn’t just about reps or aesthetics but about showing up strong for your family, your mission, and yourself.   Whether you're struggling to stay consistent, looking to level up, or just need a wake-up call, this episode will challenge you to train harder, live better, and never quit.   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:42 Meet Jason Khalipa 01:13 Pushing through when you want to quit 02:07 The power of “why” and the right mindset 04:52 Jason’s upbringing and the impact of immigrant grit 06:06 How to raise tough kids in a comfortable world 08:06 Jason’s daughter’s leukemia journey 08:57 Why fitness matters beyond the physical 10:37 Discovering CrossFit and building a gym empire 12:22 Jason’s mission to help men train hard and do better 16:24 On fatherhood, energy, and avoiding the slow decline 19:44 “Never Zero” mindset: keep the momentum going 20:57 Practical & simple nutrition rules to follow 23:01 Where to find Jason and the Train Hard community   Connect to Jason: Website: jasonkhalipa.com Instagram: @jasonkhalipa Facebook: Jason Khalipa LinkedIn: Jason Khalipa YouTube: Jason Khalipa Twitter/X: @jasonkhalipa

    3h 1m
  2. MAY 13

    Raise Girls Who Lead, Fight, and Never Flinch

    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 competition and challenge, how to motivate kids without pressure or fear, and why female empowerment starts with mindset, not medals. Cesalina shares unfiltered stories from her own upbringing in the world’s most famous fighting family and explains how she turned discipline, self-awareness, and real-life preparedness into a lifelong mission.   Timestamps:  00:00 Intro 00:43 Meet Cesalina Gracie  01:59 Upbringing, Discipline, and Family Values 04:25 Leading by Example  07:33 Building Confidence in Girls & Women 09:00 When Competition Becomes a Burden 13:51 The Importance of Self-Motivation 18:11 Competition vs. Challenge Debate 25:14 How to Connect with Cesalina’s 26:15 Final Thoughts   Connect to Cesalina: 🌐 Website: https://cesalina.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cesagracie 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cesalinagracie 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cesalina-gracie-096792117 ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cesalinagracie ✖️ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/cesagracie

    25 min
  3. APR 22

    Break Free from the Code Controlling You

    In this episode, Norman Wolfe reveals the hidden “psychic DNA” that silently drives your decisions, relationships, and business outcomes. Once you understand it—you can rewrite it.   Learn to rewrite the internal stories holding you back Break through the barriers that block execution and growth Hack your brain’s natural resistance to change Turn failure into a foundation for lasting success   Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or simply striving for personal growth, this episode gives you practical tools to decode unconscious patterns, lead meaningful change, and overcome resistance—so you can think bigger, lead smarter, and become truly unstoppable.   Timestamps: 00:45 Meet Norman Wolfe 01:22 Norman’s Career Journey 04:09 Becoming a Consultant 06:14 What Stops Leaders from Executing? 10:20 How to Shift Organizational Behavior 13:53 The Fast Eat the Slow Slogan 15:44 Norman's Personal Relationship Story 18:11 Rituals & Scaffolding for Change 19:02 How to Reframe Resistance 21:35 How to Connect with Norman 22:44 Final Thoughts   Connect to Norman: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norman.wolfe.5 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbnRB_fX-9ZKMf5hvCwHLKg Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nswolfe   Grab the first three chapters of Norman’s book—completely free! www.quantumleaders.com/podcast/ Get the book on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Living-Organization-Transforming-Business-Extraordinary/

    21 min
  4. APR 8

    The Power of Going Slow: Smarter Training for a Better Life

    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.   From heart rate-based training and journaling habits to sleep, movement, and mindset shifts, this episode is full of simple, practical takeaways that can help anyone—athlete or not—feel better, live longer, and perform at their best.   Floris shares lessons from world-class athletes and everyday runners alike, showing how long-term change is built through patience, self-awareness, and small daily wins. If you're tired of burnout, overwhelmed by fitness advice, or just looking for a smarter way to train and live - don’t miss this conversation.   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:43 Meet Floris Gierman from Extramilest 01:39 Finishing hard things rewires the brain 03:50 Slowing down to get faster 05:13 Science behind the 80/20 training rule  07:05 Focusing on heart rate zones 07:39 Lessons from elite Swedish racers  09:15 Journaling and pattern recognition  11:50 Track sleep, stress & screen time 12:12 Three life optimization tips 14:43 Where to find Floris online 15:05 Low heart rate training explained   Connect to Floris:   🌐 Website: extramilest.com 📸 Instagram: @florisgierman 📘 Facebook: Extramilest Community 💼 LinkedIn: Floris Gierman ▶️ YouTube: Floris Gierman Channel  ✖️ Twitter/X: @florisgierman

    17 min

Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
830 Ratings

About

Learn the Spartan mindset. Founder & CEO of Spartan Race and NY Times best-selling author, travels the globe seeking and answers authors, academics, athletes, adventurers, entrepreneurs, CEOs and thought leaders. It will shift your thinking, make you laugh and and give you the tools you need. He’s on a mission to find the secrets to success in all aspects of life. Not only does Joe interview epic people, he has brought together an amazing panel to break down and analyze every aspect of these interviews. We give you the ultimate blueprint and action steps to assimilating these powerful conversations into your own life.

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