The Essential 11

Empowering the Next Generation: Joe De Sena's Youth Fitness Advocacy

03.07.2024 - By Matt BeaudreauPlay

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Physical fitness is crucial in nurturing strong physical and mental health, particularly among the youth. In contemporary society, various conveniences have contributed to the softening of the next generations. Therefore, leaders must step up the game and highlight the significance of diligent exercise, resilience, and grit. Individuals can toughen themselves holistically by fostering a culture that prioritizes challenging physical standards and thorough preparation.

In today’s episode, we welcome back Joe De Sena, Founder and CEO of Spartan Race. Joe will discuss the importance of physical fitness, challenging oneself, and developing grit and perseverance in young people. Tune in as they explore the societal factors contributing to the softening of generations and the need for leadership to prioritize exercise and toughness.

Quotes:

"The human being hasn't changed. Yes, we're fatter. Yes, we're more sick. But we still have the capability to run and climb and jump. So really, we just got to peel away the couch, peel away the Oreo cookie." – Joe De Sena

"We don't let six-year-olds drive cars. We don't let 13-year-olds shoot heroin. We must have some kind of guardrails that level us up and make us better. The beautiful thing is this device is addictive, that if you viewed it that way, you could make this the most unbelievable tool ever." – Joe De Sena

"We owe it to the next generation to be putting them through hard things so that they're laying tracks in their brain so that when we're no longer here, they're able to take on other heart." – Joe De Sena

Takeaways:

Staying fit and strong is super important for both body and mind, especially for young folks. Ignoring exercise is like not taking care of yourself.

Making exercise fun and using tricks to stay motivated can help, especially for children, to get into the habit of staying active. Turning tough tasks into games and doing them with others can make a big difference.

It'd be great for everyone if schools and daily life made exercise a must-do thing. This could help offset the lazy effects of modern life and distractions and make us all healthier.

Conclusion:

Physical fitness, challenging oneself through hard work, and developing resilience are crucial for physical well-being and mental health. We must establish leadership through policies, standards, and initiatives that make fitness non-negotiable in schools and communities. Gamification and celebrating accomplishments are important to make difficult tasks enjoyable for youth.

More episodes from The Essential 11