Alexander Kopacz won Olympic gold in the two-man bobsled in 2018. Was it grit, determination, stubbornness, or an inability to face losing? He joins Spartan Race founder and CEO Joe De Sena on the Spartan Up podcast to talk about the physical and mental challenges of competing at that level and what you can learn from his experiences.   Thank you to our friend Jason Nacey from USANA for introducing us to Alex.   Joe De Sena’s Parenting book “10 Rules for Mental Toughness for Families” https://amzn.to/3JrN6oz   The Tough Bible - the best information from Spartan Up all in one place Spartan.com/toughbible  Be ready for ANYTHING - download the free book  https://www.spartan.com/readyforanything   This episode of Power Up! is brought to you by Honey Stinger. Made with organic honey and delicious ingredients, use code SpartanAthlete30 at Honeystinger.com for 30% off to help you sweeten the burn.   CREDITS: Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion.com Host: Joe De Sena   © 2022 Spartan  

How Stubborn Do You Have to Be to Win? Joe De Sena & Alex Kopacz

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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Health & Fitness

When Kristin Smedley's young son was diagnosed as blind, she was devastated. But rather than accepting limits, she became fiercely determined to give him every opportunity. Tapping into creative problem-solving skills from her own athletic past, Kristin empowered her son to navigate life fearlessly.   Through using all available tools and relentless advocacy, her sons thrived academically against all odds. But Kristin's vision didn't stop there. She now inspires others through her nonprofit, proving disability is no barrier to success with the right mindset and support.   Hear Kristin's incredible story - from the shock of her son's diagnosis to his graduation at the top of his class. Discover practical lessons on nurturing independence, creative accessibility solutions, and transforming challenges into triumphs. Kristin will motivate and inspire you to believe in limitless potential.   Highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Kristin’s childhood in Philadelphia 03:43 Learning about the importance of team 07:19 The shock of hearing her firstborn was blind 10:13 Realizing what to do as a parent of a blind child 14:23 Finding a nonprofit to help the blind community 18:43 What I Can Be Is Up to Me book 20:31 Using all available tools and holding the school accountable 23:22 Things to apply to make your life better 26:28 Where can people find Kristin?

How to Turn Challeges Into Triumph with Kristin Smedley

Tired of just getting by each day without making progress toward your goals? Learn how one man used an unconventional morning routine to overcome a near-death experience, beat cancer against all odds, and write a bestselling book impacting millions.   Hal Elrod shares his strategies for developing resilience in the face of adversity, finding peace within through acceptance, and taking back control of your health and wellness. Discover the simple daily practices that comprise Hal's Miracle Morning ritual and how you can start your own ritual today to see positive changes in 90 days.   This inspiring episode with Spartan Race founder Joe De Sena will give you practical tips to develop a growth mindset, overcome obstacles, and finally start living the life you want.   Highlights:  00:00 Intro 01:00 Moving from California to Texas 04:11 Hal’s childhood and his first job 05:23 A car crash and 6 minutes of death 07:18 Accepting reality and having faith 11:22 A cancer diagnosis at 37 and a healing mindset 13:48 Doing everything in your power to succeed 16:22 The Miracle Morning book 18:09 Hal’s decision to run a marathon 20:07 How can people find Hal? 22:06 S.A.V.E.R.S - 6 practices of Miracle Morning

Take Back Control of Your Life Now: Hal Elrod and How to Beat the Odds

Kevin Kaiser has an unconventional approach to business that was shaped by his roots growing up on a farm in Canada. As a professor at Wharton, one of the top business schools in the world, Kaiser is challenging the status quo.   In this fascinating podcast episode, Kaiser shares the philosophies that have made him an outlier - treating companies like living organisms that must constantly adapt to survive. He believes success breeds complacency if you don't disrupt yourself.   You will learn Kaiser's unique strategies for avoiding complacency and staying motivated through unpredictability. You'll discover why he argues against giving employees clear goals and instead pushes them outside their comfort zones.   Kaiser also dives into mindset, explaining how to "own" your thoughts and emotions rather than identify with them. For business leaders and entrepreneurs, this podcast provides an invigorating fresh perspective on value creation, leadership, and turning assumptions on their heads.   Highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Kevin Kaiser’s background 02:08 Business as a living organism 03:55 Who decides how to deploy resources? 06:03 Students at Wharton and fragility 09:44 How do big companies like Kodak fail? 13:18 Staying relevant as a company 15:33 Don’t listen to evolutionary wants 19:26 Challenges and the example of Toyota 22:26 Being the manager of your mind, body, and emotions 24:58 How can people find Kevin?

Spartan Mindset in Modern Business | Joe de Sena and Kevin Kaiser

Dr. John Jaquish discovered a revolutionary way to build strong bones that goes against everything you've been told.   In this insightful conversation with Joe De Sena, Dr, John reveals how he cured his own mother's osteoporosis and created a $100 million business - all by ignoring conventional wisdom.   He will also open your eyes to why workouts like weightlifting don't work, and share his portable home gym that packs serious muscle-building power. By the end, you'll be left wondering what other "facts" about health and fitness are actually dead wrong. Dr. John will change what you think you know about building muscle and strength.   Don't miss this eye-opening conversation that just may transform your health forever. Tune in now! Highlights:  00:00 Intro 01:15 Dr. John Jaquish and his biomedical company 02:49 Dr. John’s childhood, college, and entrepreneurship 06:32 OsteoStrong - a medical device that treats osteoporosis 11:13 Exposure to cold and health benefits 14:19 The importance of hip joint strength 16:07 Joe’s accident and dislocation of hip joint 18:55 Bone density, weight lifting, and the X3 System 26:24 Veganism and ancestral animal-based diet 33:54 Where can people find Dr. John?

The Shocking Truth About Fitness That Will Change Your Life

In this episode, Joe se Sena is having an insightful conversation with TeamSnap CEO Pete Frintzilas. Pete shares how facing challenges as a child of immigrants built his resilience and success. He discusses lessons learned on instilling a strong work ethic in kids without spoiling them.   Joe and Pete also discuss how continuous learning and seeking guidance from mentors fueled their growth and empowered them to overcome obstacles. Discover actionable advice on prioritizing your career early, developing an immigrant work ethic, and showing appreciation to accelerate your success from scratch.   Tune in now!   Highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Pete Frintzilas's background and childhood 03:55 Raising resilient children 07:31 Overprinting of the first child 09:05 Challenges of being a CEO of a big company 10:56 Hard work, mentors, and professional growth 13:24 Communication, gratitude, and working hard 15:55 Regret for not starting a business earlier 17:54 Where can people find Pete?

How Stubborn Do You Have to Be to Win? Joe De Sena & Alex Kopacz

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