Accelerating Excellence

On today's podcast, we have Joe De Sena.

Joe is the CEO and founder of Spartan Race. Spartan hosts over 400 races in 60 countries with over 1 million participants every year. He's also a New York Times bestselling author of Spartan Up, Spartan Fit, and the Spartan Way. Joe grew up in Queens, New York, a working class kid in a mafia neighbourhood.

He had a successful career on Wall street as an equity derivatives trader before pivoting to compete in what would end up being hundreds of extreme adventure races in a single year. Joe competed in 50 ultramarathons and 14 Iron man events. Joe's a tireless worker, a serial entrepreneur, and a legend in adventure racing.

In this episode, we're going to discuss the value of doing hard things, the role significant emotional events have in our lives, and how we can better navigate adversity.

I hope you enjoy.

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Find Joe:

https://www.instagram.com/realjoedesena/

https://www.joedesena.com/

Find James:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesakingofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/

https://jamesaking.com/

🔊 Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d

🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

On today's episode, we have Dr. Duncan French.

Duncan is the Vice President of performance for the UFC. He's an absolute titan in the world of sports science and performance enhancement and a man whose remarkable career reads like an adventure novel of achievement and innovation.

Duncan is an internationally recognised expert in sports science, strength and conditioning and high performance coaching. His journey is a symphony of groundbreaking research, practical successes and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Duncan has cultivated his skills on both sides of the Atlantic. Hailing from the United Kingdom, he embarked on a journey that led him to some of the most prestigious institutions in the world.

Currently, within the UFC, he's busy elevating Mixed Martial Arts to new heights of athleticism and scientific practice. It's no exaggeration to say that he's transformed the way fighters prepare, train and recover, enhancing the sport's overall competitiveness.

Some of Duncan's career highlights include key roles in premier organisations such as the English Institute of Sport, the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Yankees. His expertise has earned him accolades and invitations to speak at conferences and events worldwide, cementing his status as a global influencer in the realm of sports science and performance optimisation.

In today's episode, we'll discuss what it's like working with the likes of UFC superstars, such as Conor McGregor or Khabib Nurmagomedov, how to gain a physical and mental edge and the standards in physical preparation in an elite sport.

I hope you enjoy.

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Find Dr. Duncan French:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_duncan_french/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-french-phd-a41bb9122

Find James:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesakingofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/

https://jamesaking.com/

🔊 Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d

🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

James reflects on his conversation with Dr. John Demartini and discusses what it takes to truly access your potential. Part two of two.

James reflects on his conversation with Dr. John Demartini and discusses what it takes to truly access your potential. Part one of two.

On today's episode we have Dr. John Demartini.

John has a doctorate in human behaviour. He's delved deep into diverse fields, including psychology, philosophy, economics and theology. As a researcher, his contributions have been prolific to the fields of behavioural psychology and human potential, and have earned him international recognition.

A celebrated author, Dr. Demartini has penned numerous books, including bestsellers like The Breakthrough Experience and The Values Factor. John's work delves into the realms of consciousness, human behaviour and personal fulfilment, offering a roadmap to a life lived in alignment with one's true purpose and values.

In this episode we will embark on a journey through the life and wisdom of Dr. John Demartini. Exploring the transformative powers of his teachings and the profound impact he's made on countless lives. We'll delve deep into his incredible insights into human behaviour and success full stop. This is an episode you won't want to miss.

I hope you enjoy.

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Find Dr Demartini:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2QloGx6F3YzIVZtgEXA1dQ

https://drdemartini.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drjohndemartini/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohndemartini

Find James:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesakingofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/

https://jamesaking.com/

🔊 Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d

🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

James draws on his conversation with Jerry Dipoto to discuss everything from talent identification to setting strong values and the importance of resilience.

On today's episode we have Jerry Dipoto.

Jerry is the maestro behind the Seattle Mariners front office. Throughout his illustrious career, Jerry has established himself as one of the most influential and dynamic figures in Major League Baseball. From his days as a talented pitcher in the big leagues to his masterful work as the Mariners general manager, Jerry's journey is a remarkable testament to the unwavering pursuit of excellence. Before taking the helm as the Mariners' GM, Jerry left an indelible mark as the pitcher with the Cleveland Indians, New York Mets and Colorado Rockies, displaying his elite skills on the mound.

However, it's his post-playing career that truly sets him apart. He's been a key figure in the baseball world with a remarkable tenure as the general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels and now the Seattle Mariners. Throughout his career, Jerry's talent evaluation, knack for building championship-caliber teams and unwavering passion for the game have been recognized and applauded. With a string of impressive accolades, including Executive of the Year honors, Jerry has a reputation for crafting inventive and exciting strategies to lead his teams to victory.

In this episode, we'll discuss his career highlights, strategic insights and innovative approaches to building a team for the ages.

I hope you enjoy.

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Find James:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesakingofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/

https://jamesaking.com/

James reflects on his conversation with Toronto Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro on talent identification and lays out a blueprint to help you build the best team possible.

On today's podcast we have Mark Shapiro. Mark's career has been a masterclass in leadership and innovation. He's a visionary president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays. Mark's a graduate of Princeton University where he played centre and offensive tackle for the Princeton Tigers football team. From his early days in the Cleveland Indians front office to his transformative leadership with the Blue Jays, Mark's journey is a testament to his commitment to excellence.

Before making his mark in Toronto, Mark was a driving force with the Cleveland Indians for over 24 years. He played a pivotal role in the organisation's resurgence, leading them to multiple post-season appearances, including an incredible run to the World Series in 2016. Mark is recognized as one of the most innovative minds in baseball management. His forward-thinking strategies, emphasis on player development, and keen eye for talent have not only yielded countless wins, but also reshaped the way baseball is played and managed. And now Mark's talents are shining as brightly as ever in the heart of Toronto. As the president and CEO of the Blue Jays, he's overseen the team's resurgence, leading them back to post-season and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in today's dynamic and competitive baseball landscape.

In this episode, we'll delve deep into the life and career of Mark, exploring the visionary leadership that has made him one of the most celebrated figures in baseball. From his early days as an intern to his transformation of two-story franchises, we'll discuss all things leadership, talent, and culture.

I hope you enjoy.

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Find Mark:

https://twitter.com/MarkShapiro

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-shapiro-0430b51a/

Find James:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesakingofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/

https://jamesaking.com/

James draws on his conversation with Jason Henderson and explores the importance of building an elite mindset, along with demonstrating several techniques to help you develop your own.