Spartan Up! - A Spartan Race For The Mind!

Kwame Christian, Director of the American Negotiation Institute, says any time two people are in a conversation and one of them wants something it’s a negotiation. The best things in life often lie on the other side of difficult conversations. We are negotiating all the time!  In this interview, he shares a series of tools to help you negotiate anything, then puts Joe through a negotiation sparring session to demonstrate. Kwame believes using “compassionate curiosity” and understand the value of relationships, the importance of deep listening and questioning are the true art of negotiating. Stay tuned to the end of the conversation for the tools he recommends to  “channel your inner unreasonable person” and win the day.   As an added bonus, if you watch on YouTube you’ll get to see Col. Nye behind the wheel for this on the move interview. LESSONS: Learn to recognize when you are negotiating. Get CURIOUS to see what is going to get the deal done. The person asking the questions is controlling the conversati

What is sleep? Why do we sleep? And what does sleep really do? Even though sleep is a fundamental part of of our daily routine the scientific community still debates many topics about our sleep. But, a few things are clear: we need it and can’t function without it. And, it’s a powerful way to support mental and physical health. Our brains do a lot when we sleep. In this episode, we’ll talk about why you need your Zzzzzz’s! WHAT WE COVER:   Low energy, poor memory, irritability, and weight gain…what do these things have in common? Not - enough - sleep! Why do we sleep? Despite years of research, we still don’t know all the aspects of why we sleep but scientists do know we need it and can’t survive without. Even though we all know we need a good night’s sleep I in 3 adults in the US don’t get enough of it. How much do you need?              - most of us require between 7-8 hours but some may need closer to 9. Anything less than that and you’re robbing your body of much needed down time to regenerate, rechar

Adversity and obstacles are always going to be there. Once you accept this, your obstacles can no longer control you. You begin to view obstacles as opportunities. You begin to thrive under adversity because adversity builds your Character! LESSONS:   Obstacles are Opportunities. Your mindset towards challenges will determine your outcome. Injuries are not a green light to sit on the couch and sulk. Work around your injuries and find a way instead of finding an excuse. Think about all the men and women we’ve interviewed for Spartan UP! They ALL took the obstacles and challenges and turned them into an opportunity! 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/spartanuppod

We often wait to get started on projects or activities until we are motivated. But the ‘I’ll start when I’m motivated’ is leaving us stuck and stagnant. That’s because it’s momentum that builds motivation - not being still. Stillness stifles. Momentum motivates. Once you get going on your next project or new activity the motivation that you’ve been looking for will build as you grow the muscle of your work. LESSONS: Stillness stifles. Momentum motivates. Don’t wait on getting motivated to get moving. Your movement will grow the motivation. Start anywhere and keep pushing onward. 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/SpartanUpPod Dr. L on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drlarapence/ CREDITS: Production Team: Heather Knox, Knox Creative; Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Host: Dr.

Aaron Hinde, Co-Founder & President of LIFEAID, tells us how he has used his Universal ATM: Alignment, Trajectory & Momentum to build a huge brand organically and in the process has gathered a super loyal and positive community. He put everything into the creation of a healthier alternative to sodas and energy drinks, living on a frugal diet of canned tuna until the ATM paid off. The advice this week is as refreshing as the “Performance Beverages.”   LESSONS: Universal ATM: Alignment, Trajectory, Momentum It’s not a time issue it’s an engagement issue: BE PRESENT Never stop doing the little things Keep pushing, be conscious & positive Operate like everything you do will be on the front page of the paper   LINKS: LIFEAID https://www.lifeaidbevco.com Aaron on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aaronhinde/ Fitaid on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fitaid/ This episode is brought to you by AfterShokz. Be open and hear it all with AfterShokz open-ear headphones, delivering situational awareness

Caffeine in one form or another is used by about 90% of Americans every single day. How much caffeine you consume can have a direct effect on your health. Know your limits and the signs and symptoms of too much caffeine.   WHAT WE COVER:   We’ve all been there…you’re dragging and have a busy day ahead…you need a quick boost. Many of us turn to caffeine.  First of all, I’ve never known of anyone to die from caffeine overdose. Although death by caffeine sounds unlikely…can it occur and how much is too much? So, about 400mg of caffeine is the point at which most of us can develop caffeine intoxication. What does that mean? Physically you: -Start to sweat -Get Clammy hands -Feel Heart palpitations -You can become Irritable, agitated, jittery and it’s hard to sit still -In its most severe case, it can cause life threatening atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) which can prompt an MI (myocardial infarct) or heart attack.  Well, how much caffeine is in the stuff we drink? Your typical 8 oz cup of black coffe

We often hear others talking about focusing on one thing. In fact, you might be doing this yourself. You’re focused on work? Focused on family? Instead of just focusing one area of your life, simply apply excellence to ALL areas of your life. A Spartan exercises discipline and excellence to ALL areas of life. LESSONS: It’s easier to apply excellence to ALL your areas of your life. Change your mindset. Stop saying that you’re only focused on 1 area. Instead, apply excellence to ALL areas of your life. You build more momentum by applying excellence to all areas of your life. Life is complicated enough. Don’t complicate it more by only focusing on one thing and being “good enough” at the rest. 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

We all have a set of coaches that reside in our head at any given time. Many of these are a compilation of past individuals who have influenced us and their past messages have now become our own internalized voice. Many of these are helpful but some of them may be harmful because their messages are negative in nature or bring us down rather than lift us up. Learning how to differentiate between the helpful coaches and harmful ones is an important step in weeding out what doesn’t serve us.   LESSONS: Be aware not only of what messages you send yourself internally but also where these messages might be coming from. Differentiate between which internal coaches are helpful and which are harmful. Which ones make you feel good about yourself? Quiet the harmful coaches by calling up the helpful ones and giving them more air time in your head. 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

What does it take to become an Olympian and do those things carry over into success in other endeavors? If anyone knows it’s Mike Miller. He’s CEO of the World Olympian Association, which brings together the 120,000 living Olympic alumni. How do these athletes transition into the business world? Will Spartan become an Olympic sport? The Olympic spirit is strong in SPartan’s international competitions! LESSONS Set a plan. Work hard to achieve the plan. Be motivated by your values. Push yourself in training. Be curious. Keep positive people around you. GO FOR IT - don’t overthink. If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not trying. Approach life the way you would approach training for the Olympics. Be a part of someone else's success LINKS World Olympians Association https://olympians.org/ This episode of Spartan Up! Is brought to you by Powerful Foods. Fuel your active lifestyle with high-protein, no sugar added products, made with natural ingredients. Visit Shop.Spartan.com/Powerful for a 10% OFF any Powerful

Adaptogens are a special class of herbs that have been used around the globe for centuries by many different cultures. These herbs support your body’s stress response, immune system, and can help pre- and post-workout for both endurance and exercise recovery. WHAT WE COVER: a. Simply put, adaptogens are great. They are a particular Class of Herbs that have been linked with helping the body adapt to stress (psychological and environmental, this includes physical or endurance related stress as well). b. In general, they’re considered rejuvenators or tonics and have been assoc with helping cognitive performance as well c. Some examples: these herbs come from across the globe but they have similar effects on the body. You’ve likely heard of some of them: Ginseng Ashwagandha Holy Basil Rhodiola ...used for centuries by many different cultures around the globe. They are different herbs yet share some similar characteristics. d. One of the best researched is Rhodiola (I chat about this in another podcast so stay tun

Are you always thinking about HOW to achieve more, be it in fitness, health, life, business or any other area of interest? Instead of thinking about HOW, you really should be thinking about WHO. LESSONS:   Who do you already know that has achieved 1 of your goals? Instead of thinking about how you can achieve certain goals, learn to collaborate, work with and learn from others who have already learned the how. It’s WHO you can work with instead of learning the how on your own. Somebody else has already learned the how! Take action today! Who do you know in your network that would be great to team up with for your goals? Make it a win - win relationship. NEVER be a taker. Give first. 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 & Z

Accepting responsibility and taking ownership of your mistakes is key for not only self-reflection but also behavior change and modification. Because owning our mistakes can be painful and uncomfortable, we tend to offload responsibility onto other things or other people. We can always find a reason for why something is not our fault but engaging in this behavior pattern restricts our capacity for change and growth. When you accept responsibility you are opening yourself up to an opportunity to examine how things went awry in the first place and what might need to change next time.   LESSONS: Taking responsibility and owning your mistake may be painful but it is critical for growth. When you accept responsibility you have an opportunity to learn from your mistake and gain wisdom around what could be different. Your mistake is not a reflection of your character, rather a point of reflection and opportunity for gaining self-awareness. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bi

Mind Pump host and fitness/wellness guru Sal Di Stefano sits down with Spartan Race founder Joe DeSena to talk about the state of the fitness industry and what you can do today to be stronger and healthier. You may be fast at something, but are you efficient? Repetitive frequency of proper skills builds effective health and wellness regiments - getting you to your maximum potential. This week we have Sal Di Stefano back on the podcast, discussing the platforms of “new media” and their role in shifting the “big ship” of fitness.   LESSONS Podcasts are like the new “Guttenberg Printing Press,” causing a communication revolution. Fitness Vs. Wellness:  address mental, physical and spiritual to solve the US health epidemic. Most chronic disease can be solved by changes in lifestyle and attitude. Fitness and health are empowering. The internal “locus” of control is knowing you can do something for yourself to improve your situation. Speak your message in a way that empowers people. If you do one form of exercise,

NEW SERIES: Spartan HEALTH with Dr. Nada Milosavljevic every Sunday Your five senses are your body’s most direct connection to the outside world. They take in information 24/7 whether you know it or not. Harnessing any one of your senses can be a powerful way to stimulate the brain to achieve optimal results. WHAT WE COVER: What are essential oils, often abbreviated as EO’s? Essential oils come from plants, trees, flowers, and shrubs. Essential oils are the essence of the plant and in those oils you’ll find the plants hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors. Some potent stuff to be sure. EO’s can be inhaled, diffused in the air or applied topically. The interesting thing about using your sense of smell and inhaling them it that it’s one of the most direct connections to the brain for a natural but rapid response. If you apply them topically know that they should be blended in another oil or water-based mixture so they don’t irritate the skin. But, EO’s are small enough molecules they can pass through

Are you always 1 step shy from finishing your “mission”? 1 step short of achieving your goals? Today Zach Even-Esh tells you how you can make it over the finish line.  Listen, then start taking pride in the challenges while turning your obstacles into opportunities.   LESSONS: View your obstacles as opportunities You don’t have to like it, you just have to do it - Dick Marcinko, Creator of SEAL Team 6 Take pride in the challenges which will inspire you rather than defeating you Excellence and Convenience are rarely, if ever, found on the same road 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 o

Setting goals is an important way to keep us accountable to the dreams and desires that we have for ourselves. Goals are an effective way to keep us on track and give our movement structure. Sometimes, however, we fall into the trap of setting insane goals - goals that are unreasonable for our current position and end up hurting us in the long run. Pushing yourself is important but you have to set goals that are achievable so that you gain confidence and keep moving in the right direction.   LESSONS: Be realistic about what you are capable of when you set a new goal. Set yourself up for success by setting goals that are tough but reasonable. Remember that each time you succeed in meeting a smaller goal it will add up and get you closer to your larger goal. 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 h

Watch 2010 Drill Sergeant of the Year puts Joe DeSena in his place.  First Sergeant Melissa Solomon has a deep understanding of what it takes to motivate.  She should, she’s a top professional.She knows fitness too! 1SG Solomon leads trainings in the Army Master Fitness Course to “create personal trainers in each company of 150 soldiers, to have them perform in optimal health.” Trained in how to master resiliency, she gives you tools for when “things aren't going your way- don’t quit- find another way and problem solve!” In this episode, wasting time and potential are not tolerated!   LESSONS If your message isn’t getting across, regroup and rethink To do your job well empower others Give tasks that people are likely to fail to establish a baseline Find alternate solutions and don’t quit Be a sponge: coachable and teachable Test your limits   Relinquish some of the comforts of home, embrace stress Find your core resilience Be mindful of your time, don’t waste it! Find what motivates you - surround yourself w

Today Zach talks about the secret to pushing through when -willpower doesn't seem to be enough. - I came across a great book gifted to me by fellow Spartan Up Friend, Joe Polish of The Genius Network. This book is Willpower Doesn’t Work. It made me rethink how self-discipline can be taken to the next level and beyond by changing your environment! LESSONS:   Change your environment to change your life. Your environment can change by place and or people. Surround yourself with other high achievers so you are never the smartest Person in the room Publicly announce your goals so you are accountable to people that you don’t want to let down 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.instagra

Fear is one of those emotions that can significantly impact our choices, behaviors, and ways that we engage with the world. We all have our own set of fears and the intensity to which we feel fear about different things varies as well. One trap that we can all fall into though is the misbelief that the intensity of our fear is a measure of our capacity to handle the challenge that is ahead of us. When we connect fear with ability we are more at risk of becoming immobilized and opting out of what it is that we are afraid of instead of moving onward.     LESSONS: The intensity that we feel fear is no measure of our capacity to handle the challenge ahead. We can be very afraid of something and incredibly capable of conquering the challenge at the same time. We must deconstruct the belief that the intensity of our fear is somehow associated with our abilities. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay   FOLLOW SPARTAN UP

34% of his body was burned when the Humvee he was driving hit an antitank mine in Iraq. Do you define yourself by your scars or do you conquer all obstacles with mindset, tenacity and humor. This week we speak with Dancing with the Stars champion JR about the art of adversity and about Joe dancing to Donna Summer.   LESSONS   Do you follow? Do you to break off lead? Don’t be a sheep. Obstacles in your way? SO WHAT - just do it. You will regret the things NOT done, rather than the other way around. ASK: Are you happy where you are at? If not, change it. Always show up your best self. Control the reaction to your environment. Your life is a book - be the author! Bring people into your circle that challenge you. Pay attention and enjoy the small details of life- the learning moments Ask yourself what’s your legacy: take the path less traveled.   LINKS   This episode of “Spartan Up!”  is sponsored by Athletic Greens.  Get 20 travel packs free when you order at https://athleticgreens.com/spartan   TIME STAMPS 00