Spartan Up! - A Spartan Race For The Mind!

Raised in uncertainty Udo Erasmus has spent the last 69 years studying how to be more in control of his own fitness and fulfillment - the key? Healthy oils and awareness of the magnificence that surrounds him! Food oils derived from seeds, says Udo, are some of the healthiest things you can add to your diet. Journey with us as we learn that the road to health may be paved with fresh oils, plants and taking time to be present in the moment. “Be inspired to look after yourself and get in touch with the magnificence of your existence!”   Lessons: Fried foods and fried oil fry health Seed food oils are healthy oils   Be inspired to look after yourself Voluntary Solitude: take time to be quiet and contemplative each day Be present & fully relaxed- understand who you are & where you are   Links: Udo Erasmus https://udoerasmus.com/ This episode is brought to you by AfterShokz. Be open and hear it all with AfterShokz open-ear headphones, delivering situational awareness and comfort, unmatched by tradition

This time honored plant, consumed by Asian cultures for centuries, packs a powerful punch when it comes to naturally pumping up your brain and body. Green tea is packed with healthy nutrients from amino acids and antioxidants to enzymes. These compounds promote brain health, metabolism, immunity, and energy. It’s an easy addition to your daily routine and gives an all natural mind/body boost to get you off the couch and up your next Spartan Rope Climb and over the Seven Foot Wall! WHAT WE COVER:   What’s so great about this ancient brew?  A lot! It’s not just for your afternoon tea and crumpets. This wonderful plant is chock full of healthy nutrients, antioxidants, and amino acids to help you pre- and post workout. - Green tea contains some caffeine about 40 mg per cup so it can give you nice boost without overloading you on caffeine and giving you the jitters. - Why else don’t you get the jitters with green tea? L- theanine. I know, I know, what on earth is that, right? L-theanine is an amino acid found na

Momentum can build up in the positive or the negative. Here’s how you can make momentum work for you, NOT against you! LESSONS:   Learn to course correct if momentum is starting to work against you. Take a new action to help build momentum for your goals. Organization is crucial for your success. Take 1 action, do the 1 thing, to start building momentum towards your goals. 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 Follow Zach on Instagram https://instagram.com/zevenesh Follow Zach on Twitter https://twitter.com/zevenesh Zach’s STRONG Life Podcast https://apple.co/2vFaCv1 CREDITS:   Producer – M

Mind reading is when we make assumptions about what others are thinking or feeling. The problem is, these presumptions can put us in a position of believing we know what is true, when in fact we are guessing. We can then attach ourselves to stories that we are creating and see them as reality rather than assumption. Mind reading can essentially get us into trouble so it’s important that we catch ourselves when we are doing it and work to correct course.   LESSONS: Mind reading occurs when we make assumptions about what someone else is thinking. Two ways to move away from this are: Catching yourself when you find yourself mind reading. Circling back to the individual that you find yourself attempting to mind read and asking for clarification on what it is you may be assuming. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay   FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND DR. L: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/

This may be the most important interview in Spartan Up history. The story Dan Crowley, a 96-year-old WWII POW, survivor of the horrific Bataan Death March, and a delightful man. Faced with unfathomable torture, he is truly one of the most resilient, remarkable and optimistic human beings we have had the privilege to meet. This extended episode tells a dark tale in the world’s history, yet, his smiling jovial face shows the true and utter strength, grit and resolve of our species. It was our honor to be able to capture this important story and share it with all of you.   LESSONS: Persistence of hope is key Whatever has happened, there is still joy to be had Believe in yourself Be a role model Use the way your impacted to positively impact the world Live your life knowing you will survive Humor can be a powerful tool for healing   LINKS:   This episode is brought to you by CHOMPS, the cleanest jerky stick on the market. You can purchase Chomps' grass-fed, non-GMO, no sugar added meat snacks at https://chomps.co

Both mental and physical health are critical for athletic performance. Environmental conditions also play a crucial role. What happens to your body when you’re exposed to extremes of cold and heat? Can your body adapt to these conditions? It’s important to know what happens to the body during extremes of temperature, what science has taught us about human environmental limits, and ways we can do to safely take out endurance to the next level. WHAT WE COVER:   In a word….yes, but, in moderation. First, two terms to review: Hyperthermia and Hypothermia. -  Hyperthermia – that’s when the body is too hot and in the extreme, can lead to heatstroke. This happens when there’s an uncontrolled increase in body temp and it exceeds the body’s ability to lose heat.  Depending on how it’s measured typically hyperthermia begins when your core body temp is above 100.5F (38C) and extreme hyperthermia is at 104F (40C). Why it’s bad is that key enzymes in the body start to break down. And at about 106F cells start to die.

Success leaves clues. When I hear lessons from successful people, there are common themes and 1 of those common themes is getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Growth comes from being uncomfortable. LESSONS: Going through tough times empowers you mentally and physically. Struggle reveals AND builds our character. Challenges are opportunities for you to grow. Write down something that opposes your comfort zone (morning workouts, waking up early, packing a healthy lunch) and then DO the very thing that opposes your comfort zone! LINKS: More about Zach Even-Esh 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 Follow Zach on

Setbacks are part of the human experience. We all experience them and they often come in different forms - physical, relational, emotional. Setbacks can offer lots of opportunities for growth but you’ve got to be open to seeing them in order to benefit. How we recover from a setback is often determined by our outlook and willingness to shift perspective.   LESSONS: Setbacks can offer opportunities for growth and change. When you experience a setback, give yourself permission to reflect on what brought you there in the first place. Ask: How did I get there? Allow a setback to give you space for pause so that you may benefit from slowing down and being still. Remember that a setback gives you a chance to shift course and try something new. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay   FOLLOW SPARTAN UP AND DR. L: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/

Three-Time Olympic Medalist Kristine Lilly’s Advice on Soccer and Life Kristine was part of the world-renowned American Women’s soccer team that put women’s soccer on the map in the US!  On that team, she scored an incredible 130 goals in her 23-year career, played in 3 Olympics winning Gold in tow and Silver in the third, and is the most “capped” player in football history. She and Joe DeSena talk about being fit for life, the struggle and reward of the fight to the top, and her strategy for the tough days! Watch out, Joe may even get a black eye...   LESSONS: Keep trying Know that EVERYTHING matters Make choices that make you a better person each day Push each other in workouts Belong to something that has like mindedness Be fit for life HAVE FUN! LINKS Kristine Lilly http://kristinelilly13.com/   This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by FitAid. Race dirty, recover clean with FitAid. Visit FORTHEFITAID.com and sign up to win an amazing Grand Prize package from FitAid and Spartan, monthly Spartan p

Chronic inflammation can be caused by many different sources. The key is to know some of the inflammatory triggers and take active steps to manage and prevent it. In this episode, we’ll cover what it is, common causes, and some easy anti-inflammatory tools you can use anytime. Chronic inflammation can be caused by many different sources. The key is to know some of the inflammatory triggers and take active steps to manage and prevent it. In this episode, we’ll cover what it is, common causes, and some easy anti-inflammatory tools you can use anytime.  WHAT WE COVERInflammation occurs naturally in the body and can be helpful and needed for an acute situation. It’s your body’s first line of defense But, if left unchecked, chronic inflammation can contribute to some major illnesses such as: heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and Alzheimer’s. So, what are some key steps you can take to decrease or prevent chronic inflammation: A number of lifestyle choices can help reduce inflammation:          1. Stop

Here are some GREAT lessons I picked up from a book called ‘The Great Work of Your Life’. This book will give you inspiration and clarity on your true calling. LESSONS:   If you do not follow your true calling, aka your true north, it will eat you up on the inside Share your unique genius with the world. There are people out there who NEED you to share your unique genius. Come up with an action plan to move forward with at least 1 action every week.   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 The Great Work of Your Life, Book: http://a.co/d/1CiN0Rw 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 Follow Zach on Instagram https://instagram.com/ze

Anxiety can plague many of us. That habitual and pervasive worry can not only become intrusive but also leave us feeling debilitated if not managed well. There are a few ways to reduce your anxiety and practicing them regularly can leave you feeling more in control of your worry and less vulnerable to it’s impact on your day. These various tactics are not only simple in their accessibility but also easy to understand and apply.   LESSONS: Anxiety is a habitual and pervasive state of worry that can impact your daily functioning. Working to manage your anxiety and practicing anxiety-reducing skills can help you feel more in control when feelings of worry arise. Try these tactics to reduce your anxiety: Breathe - the power of a steady breath is crucial when working through anxiety. Ground yourself - place your feet flat on the floor if you are sitting, and feel the weight of your body push into the floor. Name your experience - differentiate between being excited and being anxious. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podca

Anything is possible when you let no one outwork you.  That’s the mantra of Isaiah Kacyvenski. This episode is  testament to the power of relentless determination. Growing up with a difficult childhood in poverty and bouts of homelessness - it was his dedication to studies, reading six hours every Sunday, and focusing on the words he taped to his ceiling “let no one outwork you today,” that led Isaiah to eight years in the NFL. 6 years with the Seattle Seahawks, and then the St. Luis Rams and Oakland Raiders.  But why stop there, next he won his MBA from Harvard business school and then on to success in venture capital. This is a story worth hearing. Hold yourself accountable for your own destiny !   LESSONS: You can control your own destiny Let no one outwork you Hold yourself accountable Don’t be afraid to ask questions Always put yourself in someone else’s shoes Have a relentless attitude Stay positive, work hard and dream big!   LINKS This episode is brought to you by AfterShokz. Be open and hear it all

Meditation can be a simple but powerful tool to help your brain calm, improve focus, and enhance sleep. What’s the easiest way to incorporate this technique into your daily routine? In this episode we’ll tell you what it is, how to do it, and the short and long-term benefits to enhanced focus.     WHAT WE COVER:   1. In a world of smartphones, networking groups, and virtual education, we are constantly bombarded with new tools, apps, and services that will help us be better and more effective at home, school, and work. All of these types of technology are great. But, there’s one tool that no one is selling because you can use it for free: meditation. Lots of devices can help you with it but you can engage in it anytime, anywhere, and on your own. On a biological level, daily meditation has been linked to changes in brain structure, including a thicker cerebral cortex and  . These parts of the brain have been linked to information processing and decision making. The benefits don’t stop there - studies suggest

Do you ever find yourself saying the all too common phrase, I just don’t have the time to exercise.   We’ve all been there before, so if you find yourself on a time crunch, here are a few powerful SPARTAN exercises that you can do at home, no matter where you live!   NOTE: This episode works best if you can watch the video to see how the exercises should be performed! LESSONS:   You can exercise at home or outdoors, no gym needed, with these 3 simple and effective exercises. Sandbag Shouldering: Keep a flat back and pull the bag up onto your shoulder, alternating shoulders for reps or time. Carry: You can carry any object. Always lift with a flat back and mix up the position you carry the object (shoulder, on your back, or in front of the body) Clean & Throw: Throwing a medicine ball or stone is a great way to develop power and conditioning.    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-

The data is pretty clear - the way that you think about yourself impacts your performance. Plain and simple. When you are engaging in more positive thinking patterns and see the world through a more positive lens, your performance in various arenas increases. Whether it’s your career, your relationships, or your performance out on the Spartan course, how you come out in the end will depend on the way that you think about yourself and the language you use for yourself. The more positive your thinking, the more improved you can expect your performance.   LESSONS: Thinking positively increases your performance in various arenas of life. When you engage in more positive thinking patterns, you are more likely to operate with greater confidence and faith in yourself. Try to shift away from negative, self-deprecating thoughts and start implementing more positive affirmations and mantras.   SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/Spartan

Have trouble staying happy? When it became a struggle for Chris Ashenden, founder of Athletic Greens he attacked it like any other problem in life.  He compiled a list of things that make him happy, then made sure to do them every day. For Chris the list includes dancing, time with dynamic people, sunlight on the face, intense exercise, heat changes. In this episodes of Spartan Up Joe DeSena sits with Chris at Spartan World Championships in Tahoe to learn about the entrepreneurial and personal journey that led to the incredible success of Athletic Greens - both as a product and as a business. LESSONS “It’s not what you eat, It’s what gets absorbed.” Build a Moat = protecting your business. Play well as a team. There is value to being 100% focused on happiness. Struggling with happiness? Try writing a list of things that make you happy and doing them every day. Find one thing each day that pushes you toward your goal and check it off. Always be improving, if someone is going to come out with a better produc

On Spartan Health we’ve talked about how important your senses can be in terms of your cognitive function and physical health. In this episode, we take a deep dive into how you can tap into your sensory system as a powerful tool for optimal mental and physical performance. SImple techniques that can get you ready and set for you next Spartan Sprint, Super, or Beast! WHAT WE COVER:   We all experience it now and then. You want to focus, get in “the zone” but you’re having a tough time. Here’s 5 easy steps that will help you get centered fast. Each of them is a different tool or technique and each activates a different sensory pathway. What do I mean by that? Let’s say you want your brain to focus or concentrate. An effective way to do that is to send a signal on every one of your sensory pathways (your sense of sight, touch, sound, taste and smell). Your sensory system is your only connection to the outside world and it’s pretty powerful. It works 24/7 sending signals to your brain and you’re deciding (often

No matter how passionate you are about what you do, there will always be a time where you feel like you’ve hit a wall and need a break. The BIG reason I’ve seen others experience burnout including myself, is often times because we get busy looking at what others are doing and we lose our OWN True North! LESSONS:   Don’t waste time watching what others do Focus on YOUR passion, not what others are passionate about Reconnect with your True North on the regular. Ask yourself WHY you started doing what you’re doing in the first place Focus on your Unique Ability as Dan Sullivan from Strategic Coach calls it. Your Unique Ability is your passion and will keep you fired up for the long term!   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 & Za

Getting curious is the unsung hero of mental toughness. Sometimes our ego likes to play first man and we close ourselves off to the wisdom, expertise, and knowledge of others. But the truth is, when we do this we are actually closing ourselves off to growth, expansion, and enlightenment. The more available we are to learning and taking in what others have to offer the more we can fill our mind with the ‘good stuff’ and rid ourselves of the junk.     LESSONS: Getting curious and becoming available to the expertise and knowledge of others is important in gaining wisdom and getting rid of that which doesn’t serve you. Get curious by asking the individuals you admire: How do you do it? How did you get here? What have you learned and know to be true? Set aside your ego and become available to new information through books, conversations, podcasts, documentary movies, and more! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay