Spartan Up! - A Spartan Race For The Mind!

Insecurities are just obstacles. Painful, yes. Unfortunate, indeed. Debilitating? Don’t have to be. An insecurity doesn’t have to be a barrier to the things that you want but if you don’t use the right tools and focus on overcoming your insecurities they can absolutely become 10 foot walls that are difficult to get over. It’s important to be active in challenging your insecurities through various actions that can work to eventually overcome them. LESSONS: We all have insecurities but we need to be intentional around how we address and work through them so that they don’t become barriers to the things that we want in life. Try the following tactics to help you overcome your insecurities: Say THANK YOU. Don’t provide disclaimers or discount the positive feedback someone sends your way. Say THANK YOU and receive. Challenge your insecurities with positive affirmations. Integrate positive affirmations or uplifting mantras to help challenge what’s bringing you down. Focus first on the good things. Try to look at wh

One of the most recognized faces of daytime TV, Mara speaks with Joe De Sena in this interview about the perspective gained during her childhood growing up outside the country, her perennial struggle with being overweight and the magic of serendipity. Her goal is to end all abusive relationships, including with food. Join us this week as we explore discipline as a key to sustaining wellness. LESSONS Find what feels intrinsic to you Travel to gain perspective Design & organize your tools to fit your needs Make a list of your “undoings” End “abusive” food relationships Cleanup your diet to be successful It’s may not be simple but discipline is doing it whether you want to or not Use the scale as a tool LINKS https://www.marascampo.com This episode of Spartan Up! is brought to you by Tiger Balm Active. Trust Tiger Balm Active for proven pain relief. Get new Tiger Balm Active in Gel, Rub and convenient Spray. https://tigerbalm.us/ 0:00 Joe, Sefra, the Col & Dr. Johnny introduce Mara’s episode 1:50 Tiger

I understand the value of a resume and what it’s intended for. But, we all know the resume game and some of us even have a professional writer “polish” it up. So what is the real value? Also, a resume is simply a collection of yesterday’s events. With a resume mindset about life we become static and superficial. Let others keep record of your accomplishments and use that saved energy to keep doing new and exciting things. Otherwise, we tend to default to doing the same things over and over. I prefer a growth mindset.     LESSONS: Stop living your resume, start living today   SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND Tosh: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Tosh on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tosh.crookedbutterfly/ CREDITS: Producer: Marion Abrams, Madmotion,llc. Host: Brian “tosh” Chontosh Show notes: Bria

Imagine you’re in a supermarket and you want something healthy to drink, but you want something tasty, too. Many people might think – and with some good reason – that a naturally flavored drink like grape juice or orange juice would provide a beverage that’s refreshing and good for you. But with the choices available to consumers in most supermarkets, they would be wrong. Why?   There are two assumptions many people make about their choices at the market based on labeling. 1) That a “natural” choice is always a healthy choice and 2) that the guidelines and advice given on food labels are straightforward and relatively transparent. They aren’t necessarily right. If you’re concerned about eating healthy but you’re not sure how best to do it, get in the habit of reading food labels … and you need to know how to read them, too. (check part 1 for more info.) If you wanted orange juice as a healthy way to quench your thirst, there are some reasons to opt for water instead. Why is that? Too much sugar is bad for you

Spartan Pro Team member Nicole Mericle came into OCR from a running and bouldering background and was able to make an almost immediate impact. She is widely considered the best female OCR “short course” athlete in the world, winning multiple championships. LESSONS: One can become a great obstacle racer even when obstacles aren’t your initial strong suit. Indoor climbing gyms are phenomenal for obstacle race training. With climbing, just get started. Learn the basic holds and moves. Repetition is your best friend. How she schedules both runs and climbs. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW US: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Matt B Davis at Obstacle Racing Media on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/obstacleracingmedia/ Nicole Mericle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickeldm/ CREDITS: Host: Matt B Davis (@mattbd

Do you know your worth or do you let others determine your value? Sometimes you need to say no in the short term so you can yes to something bigger in the long term. In a world where so much is free or discounted, don’t feel like you need to do what everyone else is doing. LESSONS: Don’t let labels determine what you do and who you become. True Spartans are ready & willing to turn obstacles into opportunities Decide what you want to achieve and take action towards achieving those goals. Say NO to the small opportunities and labels that are holding you back! LINKS: More about Zach https://zacheven-esh.com Read “The Spartan Way” https://www.spartan.com/en/race/learn-more/race-types-overview?article=the-spartan-way-book SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay   FOLLOW SPARTAN UP & Zach: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Foll

We are human. We are fallible. And sometimes that means that lies slip from our tongue. We all do it or have done it but it’s important to understand how pervasive lying can impact you. In the beginning lying may make you uncomfortable but the more that you lie, the more your brain accommodates to this discomfort and soon enough it’s not uncomfortable anymore. This is when it starts to get tricky because when lying becomes habitual and you lie more often, you begin to move into dangerous territory of passively telling yourself that you’re not good enough and the only good enough version is the fabricated one. It’s important to ask yourself how lying serves you and in what ways it moves you further away from your authentic self. LESSONS: Your brain will acclimate to the discomfort of lying the more that you lie and eventually become used to it. Ask yourself the following questions to help you understand your own reasons behind lying: Where do you lie? Why do you lie? How is it serving you? SUBSCRIBE: Apple Po

His early life was so “perfect” Nick Green says he was too afraid to take risks or to fail. He was lucky, a business concept found him during college and forced him to learn resilience and the value of failure. Once he overcame that fear, the world of possibilities opened up to him! Now he is building a mission driven business ThriveMarket.com. What does it take to thrive in life? A good place to start is your nutrition. Nick has devised a way to make healthy organic food accessible & affordable. He failed his way to success and shares his gems of advice about leaning into fear, the struggles of the unknown and the triumph of getting help people either through education or healthy food with Joe De Sena in this episode.   LESSONS “Unlearning” can be a key to success Stop worrying about failing If your really struggling you may be on the right path Identify your weaknesses and build your team to fill them Lean into fear   LINKS Thrive Market https://thrivemarket.com   This episode of Spartan Up! is brought

Be careful of the unintended consequences when you try to create a culture of ‘show up early’. When we communicate correctly our set of standards that are consistent with our expectations we create opportunities for the behavior we desire. I don’t really want you to show up early, I want you to show up prepared. The reason I tell you to show up early is because I’m tired of you not being prepared. But I don’t communicate that properly. What gets lost in translation and the behavior we begin to reward is - just show up on time and then we can all waste each other’s time by figuring out how best to get ready.     LESSONS:
Communicate what you expect
Don’t assume being prepared is ever implied unless you train to that standard
Be a professional, use your time to prepare to give your Team what they deserve: Your Best. LINKS: SUBSCRIBE:
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow
YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT
Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND Tosh:
Spartan Up on Instagram https:/

Spartans, here’s a riddle for you: What do lengthy financial reports and food labels have in common? Answer? To some, they might seem a bit boring and overly detailed, but they’re both really important. In this podcast, you’ll learn about some of the key ways to read a food label so you can quickly zero-in on the most relevant information impacting your health If you only had access to one piece of information in a food label, what would it be? That would be “serving size.” Food companies know that many consumers are calorie-conscious, so one way to minimize the caloric “profile,” if you will, of their products is to describe calories per portion and not per package. Be careful to check the serving size. It might be less than you imagine. Just look at the sample portion sizes most nutritionists show their patients … they’re much smaller than what Americans typically eat. Knowing this, check the calories per serving. If a package contains “four servings” and you eat the whole package, that’s 4 times the numbe

Idaho’s own Ian Hosek comes on the Spartan Up Podcast to discuss how he coaches people of all backgrounds and abilities. He also talks about getting a coach himself to help his mental game. Ian gives a few specific workouts which will help the new runner take on a Spartan Sprint. LESSONS: Running power translates to lifting power. Do deadlifts for help with tire flip an atlas carry. If you are brand new, try the Spartan Sprint. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW US: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Matt B Davis at Obstacle Racing Media on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/obstacleracingmedia/ Ian Hosek on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ocr_hosek CREDITS: Host: Matt B Davis Show Notes: Matt B Davis Producer: Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Videography: Adam Coe Editing: Heather Knox © 2019 Spartan

Are you in it for the long game? The long haul? Many Spartans have spoken about the patience and the undaunting work ethic and determination it takes to get a taste of success let alone get to the top. Our fearless leader Joe DeSena recently made an Instagram Story on this. Gary Vaynerchuk says this on the regular, and of course, ask any Spartan Racer if they out of the blue started winning races. NO. You gotta be it in for the long game if you want to get to the top. As they say, Every overnight success story has a 10 year history (at least)! LESSONS: Did you know Rodney Dangerfield got involved with comedy as a young kid but he did not start building momentum until his late 40s! That’s 30+ years of struggling and never giving up! To stay motivated, it’s important to look at short term goals such as this week, this month and this year. But also, look at the BIG picture, the 3, 5 and next 10 years. Be ready to pivot your course of action, but don’t quit! LINKS: More about Zach https://zacheven-esh.com Read

Often, we take on a lot. More than we should maybe. We say YES to things we only feel lukewarm about and we nod our heads to things we would rather shake them to. The thing is, if we are saying YES to everything then it’s difficult to really tease apart what matters to us and we can end up being resentful of our own inability to set firm boundaries. Sometimes we have to set a firm NO so that we can have even firmer YESES down the road. When you set a firm NO, when you pass on something that you know in your heart isn’t right for you, you make yourself available to other things down the road that you feel strongly IS right for you. LESSONS: Setting a firm NO makes you more available to better YESES down the road. Ask yourself: What am I saying YES to that I really need to be saying NO to? Remember, saying NO to someone is not a personal attack. It is an exercise in setting boundaries and giving yourself permission to be firm. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/Sparta

Kelly is a self made wellness guru, founder of Be Well by Kelly, who based her premise on a simple concept - design your plate with the fab four: protein, healthy fats, fiber and leafy greens. See how she took what started as a side hustle between her day job to becoming one of the most recognized nutritionists to the superstars. Learn what your cravings are really telling you and a bit of science behind what will make you “Be Well” & Spartan strong. Bonus is Courtney De Sena joins our “fab four” crew this week as the guest host! LESSONS Cleanse the extra clutter in your life - work to minimize your “stuff” Learn the science of health to be self motivated It takes knowledge to make wellness a lifestyle Design your plate to have protein, fiber, healthy fats & leafy greens If your passionate about something- start a side hustle! Push forward every single day Work out hard & meditating are modalities for relaxation This episode of Spartan Up! is brought to you by Tiger Balm Active. Trust Tiger Balm

“Don’t talk about it, Be about it.” ~Even-Esh “Let your actions speak so loudly, that I cannot hear your words.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Zach Even-Esh talks about how this manifests in a coaching environment with his athletes in the gym. I like to use it not only to drive me forward with action, but to also help manage my expectations of others. It’s so often we are told one thing or another by someone who could either be trying to ‘sell’ you, has low or distorted self-awareness, is confused or no idea, etc. If we always put full stock in their words we are likely to be much less satisfied with any results. Proof is in the effort of action. When someone tries to convince you they intend to do something or be something, nod and then observe. It’s the actions taking place (or that are absent) that will measure the true authenticity. LESSONS: Look for activity that you would expect to see if intent were pure Train yourself with a do not say attitude When someone is always telling you about what they are going to d

Matt B. Davis talks to “Air Force” Ken Corigliano - Ken has been obstacle racing since 2012 and is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force as a Major. He uses military training and obstacle racing as a basis for a mindset of embracing challenges and learning from failures. LESSONS: Obstacle Course Racing builds character. Connect with adversity and embrace the challenge. Failure can make you better or worse. Take small steps with family when enrolling them in a fit lifestyle. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW US: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Matt B Davis at Obstacle Racing Media on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/obstacleracingmedia/ Air Force Ken on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airforceken/ CREDITS: Host: Matt B Davis (@mattbdavis) Show Notes: Matt B Davis Producer: Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Video

The Bataan Memorial Death March is, as they say more than just a marathon… it ‘honors the thousands of heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health, and, in many cases, their very lives.’ Joe, Colonel Nye, Sefra Alexandra, Erica Walker, Marion Abrams and Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Frank Grippe embarked on a sojourn to honor the men that exhibited true grit to their bone marrow. The 26.2 mile ruck through the White Sands Missile Range brought with it sweat, crippling dehydration, pain so excruciating it caused dry retching… yet in comparison to what these veterans had been through (as told by Death March Survivor Dan Crowley on Spartan UP! Podcast Episode 229) this was just a walk in the park. Walking alongside OEW, thousands of men women and children- our frame of reference was once again shifted. What the body can endure is extraordinary and the experience of rucking through the gorgeous yucca-clad landscape with beans on head, smiles

If you haven’t experienced performance anxiety yourself then most likely you know someone who has. Performance anxiety is common and its intensity can span across the spectrum. Although dealing with performance anxiety can sometimes feel like a hopeless feat, there are actually some pretty effective strategies that can help you learn to manage the worry you feel in the face of public performance. First, remembering that the individuals around you - whether out in the crowd or on the race course - are just people; people who have struggles, who live and breath just like you. They are just humans! So being afraid of them or their judgments won’t serve you and certainly won’t serve your performance. Second, remember the preparation that it took for you to participate in whatever event you’ve got on the table. Use a mantra that can help you call up your level of preparation and remind yourself that you’ve got this! And lastly, predict your success in the future through using a visualization. When we visualize and

How do you create a corporate culture that allows people to live their best lives? Based off the principles that Lonnie observed in his father, the famous red shoe wearing wrestler Moondog Mayne - he created a philosophy that helps spread positivity in the workplace. Lonnie is an expert aggregator and motivator of brilliant minds, this week you will learn what it really means to walk a mile in someone else’s red shoes!   This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by DNAfit. Get personal with your race training and nutrition by unlocking the power of your genetics. Save 20% off your test at https://www.dnafit.com/spartan/ LESSON At the center of every accomplishment is amazing people Implement a holistic approach in business Self-awareness is key Find a community that holds you accountable Put yourself out there and really live Empower people to do their best work and live their best life LINKS https://redshoesliving.com TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Joe De Sena, Sefra Alexandra, Colonel Nye & Guest Host Ret. CSM Fr

Let’s be more cautious about always over-prioritizing Safety above everything else. Using the phrase “Safety First” as a default teases us to not engage in the critical conversations revolving around risk assessment, risk mitigation, and risk acceptance. It feeds risk aversion and zero defects mentality. It can create mindless procedural automation. And, it can also create the exact hesitation that leads to increased danger or threat. I like to tell my loved ones to “Be Smart” not “Be Safe”. I feel it implies much more and automatically includes the elements of safety consciousness. LESSONS: Without Risk, there can be no Reward. Appropriate Risk Being smart includes the elements of reasonable risk and safety.   LINKS: SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND Tosh: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod Tosh on Instag