In this episode, Charlie and Claire welcome Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan and obstacle racing pro, to discuss the importance of resilience in life, sports, and business.

Joe shares his personal journey to resilience, instilled during his upbringing in a challenging neighbourhood and reinforced with practices including yoga, meditation, and regular physical training. He shares his innovative tactics for instilling resilience in his own family, which include extreme measures like hiring a personal Kung Fu master. Joe explains how his company Spartan has managed through the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the importance of community and maintaining a strong corporate culture.

The conversation also delves into the booming popularity of obstacle races, highlighting the human craving for both challenge and connection, which has intensified in the digital age. The podcast closes with Joe sharing some influential books that have guided him along his path.

Highlights:

• Resilience in Early Life and Upbringing
• Resilience in Business and Entrepreneurship
• The Rise of Challenge Seeking in Modern Society
• The Simplicity of Modern Life and Our Innate Desire for Challenges
• The Thrill of Obstacle Course Racing
• Comparing Different Sports: Ironman, Ultramarathons, and Obstacle Races
• The Impact of COVID on Sports and Community
• The Importance of Consistent Training and Injury Prevention

Contact Joe De Sena: LinkedIn | Website

Today's guest is Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan, the world-renowned endurance sports brand. Joe's journey from a working-class neighbourhood in Queens to the founder of a global fitness empire is a story of true resilience. After a successful stint on Wall Street, he moved to Vermont, discovering a passion for endurance events, leading to the birth of Spartan Race. Now a global community with over 10 million participants, Spartan includes various endurance brands like Spartan Trail and Tough Mudder. Joe is also a New York Times bestselling author, with his latest book focusing on building mental toughness in families. Join us as we explore the insights of a man who turned endurance into an inspiring business.

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This episode was sponsored by The Trusted Team and 4th Discipline