The Hard Way w/ Joe De Sena

In this episode, Mario Kalpou from Man Eats Wild brings you into the world of primal living and real food.

Joe De Sena and Mario dive deep into why modern life has made us lose touch with what really matters, like knowing where our food comes from and learning the skills to survive in the wild. They share stories of hunting, foraging, and reconnecting with nature to fuel the body with real, nutrient-dense food.   From alligator hunting in Florida to sourcing food without relying on grocery stores, they show how ancestral living can build strength and resilience. If you’re curious about the power of going back to basics and challenging the comforts of the modern world, tune in now!   Highlights:

00:00 Intro 00:47 The inspiration behind "Man Eats Wild" 02:20 Alligator hunting & dangerous liver toxicity 03:43 Is eating liver healthy? 04:57 Taking high-net-worth individuals on adventures 06:06 Teaching basic survival skills to kids 07:32 The Importance of struggle & exercise 09:43 Nutritional challenges in the U.S. vs. Europe 11:19 Food industry & RFK’s Perspective 13:07 Health legislation and freedom debate 15:25 Growing up to be a man in the wild 16:52 Living a natural lifestyle vs. modern influences 19:03 The role of exercise in daily life 20:09 Joe’s Training routines over the years 22:01 Where to Watch "Man Eats Wild"

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Kim Pastore, a widow who faced unimaginable loss when her husband, a dedicated SWAT officer, was killed in the line of duty.   Kim opens up about the overwhelming grief and challenges she faced and shares how she found the strength to keep going by turning to the Spartan Way. Through gratitude, resilience, and a commitment to honoring her husband’s legacy, Kim founded a foundation to support the mental and physical wellness of first responders.   Kim’s journey offers hope, showing that even in the darkest times, we can find purpose, strength, and a way to help others. This is a story about love, loss, and the power of never giving up.   Highlights:

00:00 Intro 00:47 Kim’s husband George and his SWAT journey 02:50 George’s tragic death and the grieving process 09:04 The Spartan way of overcoming grief 13:29 The role of adversity in childhood 15:15 Gratitude as a tool in tough times 18:35 Launching the George Pastore Foundation 23:20 Humble warrior games and community support 24:16 How to get involved with the foundation

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Jorge Pastore Foundation | Website: https://www.jpastorefoundation.org/

In this episode, Joe De Sena explores the powerful lessons of military leadership with Ryan P. Crayne, an experienced Army officer.   Ryan shares how tough training, mental resilience, and leading by example forge exceptional leaders. Learn how the same principles that guide soldiers can help you develop personal discipline, build trust, and tackle challenges head-on in your own life.   Whether you're looking to enhance your leadership skills, improve your physical and mental fitness, or just gain inspiration from military strategies, this episode is packed with actionable tips you can start applying today.   Highlights:

00:41 Major Crane's background in military service and teaching 02:17 The rewards and challenges of military service 03:19 Ranger School experiences and leadership development 05:16 Pushing limits and developing resilience in youth 08:50 Leadership tips: Trust, example, and expertise 12:13 Military recruiting and benefits of military service 16:00 The value of overcoming tough challenges 17:39 Major Crane's future military service plans 18:34 Daily habits inspired by military discipline 21:00 How to connect with Major Crane?

In this eye-opening episode, Joe De Sena sits down with a holistic health practitioner Brett Hawes to explore the incredible capacity we all have to heal ourselves.   They tackle the rising concern of orthorexia and discuss how the obsession with "perfect" eating can actually harm our well-being. Brett emphasizes the importance of simplifying our health journeys, moving away from fad diets, and focusing on whole, nourishing foods that support our bodies.   You will learn practical strategies for combating lifestyle diseases, enhancing sleep quality, and fostering a balanced approach to nutrition. Brett's wealth of experience in functional medicine provides actionable insights that can easily be integrated into daily life.   Highlights:

00:44 Brett's experience in functional medicine 01:43 Balancing traditional and holistic medicine 05:47 Growing popularity of functional medicine 08:01 Challenges of competing with large food companies 09:11 Vision for a healthier future 10:23 Brett’s view on the healthcare system 12:02 Discussing food subsidies and taxes 13:47 Importance of exercise vs. healthy eating 15:42 Three key practices for preventing lifestyle diseases 20:20 Health practices shouldn’t be so complicated 22:21 Brett's current podcast and activism work1

In this powerful episode, Joe De Sena talks with JC Glick, a veteran of 11 combat tours, about the challenges veterans face after leaving military service.   JC opens up about his struggles with identity, purpose, and mental health, while sharing how his Commit Foundation helps veterans and their families rebuild their lives and find new meaning.   Hear the untold stories of military service, learn about the importance of teamwork, and how we can all play a part in supporting veterans after their service.   Highlights:

00:00 Intro 00:42 Introduction to JC Glick, CEO of Commit 01:03 JC Glick’s journey into the military 03:47 The impact of military service on identity and leadership 04:39 The value of service and teamwork in building gratitude and empathy 07:16 The national service initiatives for young people 09:21 Privileges and challenges of living in the U.S 10:49 Finding a new identity and purpose after leaving the military service 15:09 The significance of military spouses and their unique challenges 16:19 How to support the Commit Foundation and their missione

Struggling to break free from unhealthy eating habits?   In this episode, Joe De Sena talks with nutrition coach Mike Millner, who shares his personal story of overcoming years of yo-yo dieting and gaining over 100 pounds. Mike dives deep into the powerful connection between our subconscious thoughts, beliefs, and food choices.   Find out how your beliefs and identity shape your eating habits, and discover actionable strategies to transform your relationship with food for good. Learn practical strategies for rewiring your mind to break free from emotional eating and how mindset shifts are the true foundation for lasting change.   Whether you're battling cravings or trying to lose weight, Mike's unique approach will show you how to break the cycle and finally achieve lasting results!   Highlights:

00:00 Intro 00:48 Mike's journey into nutrition 03:52 How to change a relationship with food 06:30 Joe's personal relationship with food 09:15 Rewiring subconscious thoughts about food 12:34 Success rate in changing eating habits 15:51 How to change a country’s relationship with food 18:30 How to help kids eat healthier 21:51 VIP event in the desert of Abu Dhabi

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Mike's Instagram: @coach_mike_millner Website: https://neurotypetraining.com/mike-millner/

In this episode, Joe De Sena talks with Tom Farrey, author of Game On: The All-American Race to Make Champions of Our Children, about the state of youth sports in America.   Tom explains that only 1 in 4 kids are active, largely due to barriers in the U.S. sports system. Now leading Project Play, he works to make sports more accessible and fun for all children.   They discuss how Spartan Races promote self-improvement over competition, and how Norway’s child-focused sports model could inspire the U.S.   Tom emphasizes the importance of letting kids enjoy sports rather than pushing them into activities they don’t love. They encourage parents to listen to their children’s interests and prioritize fun and accessibility to keep kids engaged in sports.   Timestamps:

00:00 Intro 01:03 Mapping the Problem: Why Aren’t More Kids Active? 03:31 Youth Sports Around the World 05:46 Challenging Kids to Do Hard Things 07:46 Screens and Devices as a Competition to Youth Sports 10:23 Rethinking Competition for Kids 11:51 Breaking Through School Bureaucracies to Reach Kids 13:15 How Can Parents Support Their Child’s Interests 16:57 Should You Let Your Kid Quit a Sport? 19:01 Parents Overanalyzing Their Child's Performance 21:29 Norway: The World’s Best Youth Sports System 25:10 - What the U.S. Can Learn from Norway 26:16 - Final Thoughts: Creating Better Youth Sports Systems

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Marc Fucarile, a survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, to hear his powerful story.   Marc vividly recounts the horrific events of that day, describing the chaos and the severe injuries he sustained when the bombs exploded. Despite the trauma, he shares how the outpouring of support from the community motivated him to focus on his recovery and being a father to his young son.   Marc's journey is a testament to the human spirit's resilience. He emphasizes the importance of acceptance, concentrating on what you can control, and drawing inspiration from the sacrifices and accomplishments of those around you.   His story is a powerful example of transforming tragedy into purpose and using one's experiences to uplift and empower others facing similar challenges.   Highlights:

00:00 Intro 01:30 Boston Marathon bombing incident 04:01 Surviving 100 days in the hospital 08:33 The aftermath and support system 11:50 Mental challenges after traumatic experience 17:58 Simple tips for leveling up in life 19:58 The importance of family and faith 23:39 Building the MARC Network and future goals

Website: www.marcnetwork.world | www.marcfucarile.com  Instagram: @marcnetworkinc | @marcfucarile

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss the importance of improving health and fitness across the country.

Kennedy addresses concerns related to public health agencies and the food industry, emphasizing the need for reform. He also shares personal stories about his family's commitment to physical endurance and discipline, including his father's 50-mile walk, which shaped his views on resilience.

They explore how modern lifestyles, particularly increased screen time and reduced outdoor activity, have impacted children's fitness. Kennedy advocates for reintroducing fitness into schools and encouraging parents to promote resilience and physical activity in their children.

The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of developing healthier habits and fostering a culture of physical fitness.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro   00:45 Addressing health and fitness challenges in America   02:16 Concerns about public health agencies and the food industry   05:03 The decline in physical toughness and fitness   09:56 RFK Jr.'s family story of his father's 50-mile walk   15:30 Discipline and endurance in family life   19:09 Bringing fitness and physical education back to schools   20:42 Building resilience through physical challenges   22:18 A vision for improving national health   26:03 Encouraging resilience over comfort   28:53 The role of gratitude and a positive mindset   30:26 Insights from ancient Spartans and stoic philosophy

In this episode, Steve Hasty, a swimming expert, joins Joe De Sena to give us a behind-the-scenes look at the world of competitive swimming. As a former elite swimmer and the owner of Swimming World Magazine, Steve really knows his stuff when it comes to this sport.   Steve explains the intense training regimen of elite swimmers, noting that even high school swimmers can train up to 5 hours per day.   They discuss the mental toughness and resilience required to maintain such a grueling schedule and achieve success. Drawing from his own experiences growing up with a tough swim coach, Steve offers some great advice on developing a consistent routine and mindset to overcome obstacles, whether in swimming or in life   Highlights: 00:00 Intro 00:43 Demanding routine of high school swimmers 02:33 Mental resilience of swimmers 03:30 How big is the swimming community? 05:02 A narrow path to the top 06:29 The importance of body type 07:00 Michael Phelps’s and his success 09:08 Lessons learned through swimming 12:05 The power of routine and discipline 15:00 The Swimming World app

IG: @swimmingworldmag Youtube: /SwimmingWorldSPI LinkedIn: /company/swimming-world Website: www.swimmingworldmagazine.com