Victor Antonio knows what it's like to struggle. Growing up in poverty-stricken Chicago housing projects, he faced an uphill battle. But through grit and determination, he climbed his way to the top.   In this fascinating episode, Victor pulls back the curtain on his amazing success story. From food stamps as a child to writing bestsellers, he shares the pivotal moments that changed his trajectory.   Learn Victor's unorthodox tactics for understanding customers on a deeper level. Discover...

In this episode of The Hard Way podcast, Joe De Sena interviews Paul Foster, the founder of the iconic fitness brand Reebok.   Tune in as Foster recounts growing up in a family shoe business plagued by infighting, and his risky decision to break out on his own with his brother. Listen how this small startup found its big break by pivoting to capitalize on the aerobics craze just starting to sweep the nation.   Foster shares the story of how resilience, innovation, and an openness to new...

The Lovesac founder Shawn Nelson started with a silly college project - giant beanbags. Now he leads the top-selling couch brand in America. How did he go from dorm room side hustle to building a business worth billions? Tune in as Shawn shares his wild journey of overcoming failures, bankruptcy and naysayers.   Plus, hear Shawn and Joe discussing the couch controversy and finding common ground in their philosophies of pushing limits. Get practical tips on developing grit, balancing work...

When does pursuing your goals mean neglecting your relationships? For high-performing couples, maintaining intimacy may become hard and require intentionality.   In this episode, Amy Wine shares her strategies for helping elite athletes, entrepreneurs and busy professionals prioritize connection - even when life gets hectic. Learn a system for designing communication around each partner's unique rhythms and needs.   Learn about the "married roommate" trap and how to overcome it. Discover...

While most would have quit after repeatedly getting cut from teams, Dre Baldwin refused to give up on his basketball dreams. This episode shares his incredible journey from benchwarmer to going pro, despite the countless setbacks along the way.   You'll learn how he maintained an unstoppable motivation to improve day after day through strategies like constantly problem-solving new approaches. Dre also discusses the mindset it takes to achieve big goals, emphasizing the importance of working...

Tired of conflicting advice on diabetes? This episode sets the record straight. Dr. Robbie Barbero, who reversed his own Type 1 diabetes with a plant-based diet, unpacks the science on what really causes insulin resistance.ro   You'll be shocked to learn it's NOT sugar as you've been told. Dr. Barbero reveals new research proving dietary fat - not sugar - is the true culprit behind the diabetes epidemic.   He'll also share his own protocol for reversing pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes...

This episode follows the transformation of successful entrepreneur Andy Goldstrom from a results-driven corporate executive to a compassionate parenting coach. Faced with his own daughter's mental health struggles, Andy realized the tough love approach that worked in business failed his family.   Through difficult lessons and parent coaching certification, Andy learned to see issues through his child's eyes. Now he shares these hard-won insights to help others strengthen bonds with kids...

Tired of being average? Want to take your game to the next level and become unstoppable? This episode will show you how to maximize your innate strengths, tap into your deepest interests, and unleash an unstoppable drive to win.   Former military strategist James King shares his science-backed approach to identifying your "sweet spot" and aligning your goals in a way that ignites your full potential. Spartan CEO Joe De Sena opens up about applying these principles to build an empire and...

Tired of being average? Want to take your game to the next level and become unstoppable? This episode will show you how to maximize your innate strengths, tap into your deepest interests, and unleash an unstoppable drive to win.   Former military strategist James King shares his science-backed approach to identifying your "sweet spot" and aligning your goals in a way that ignites your full potential. Spartan CEO Joe De Sena opens up about applying these principles to build an empire and...

In this episode, marketing pioneer Seth Godin shares his proven strategies for building viral movements and brands. He and the Spartan founder Joe De Sena talk about the power of cultivating small, passionate communities over mass appeal.   Godin draws from his experience helping top brands connect through stories and building a community. He explains how understanding the way ideas spread socially unlocked his viral successes.   Seth points out that the most successful brands are built...

In this episode, Joe De Sena interviews Michael Holt from Savage and Saint on redefining masculinity through integrity, authenticity and inner strength.   They discuss growing up tough and how it shapes character, plus the importance of discipline and relaxation in achieving goals and relationships. Michael shares his daily wellness routine of meditation, breathing, nutrition and movement - practical self-care habits that unlock spiritual growth and sustainable energy.   Discover an...

Craig Levinson has overcome countless obstacles on his journey from South Africa to Silicon Valley. After immigrating as a teen, he chased his basketball dreams in the US only to have a devastating injury end his career. But he refused to quit, pivoting to build supplement brands and manage inspirational clients.   Through it all, 3 principles have guided him: accountability, consistency, and self-care. In this episode, Craig shares gripping tales of his moves across the world, business...

Tired of kids glued to screens when they should be running around outside? Frustrated with the lack of PE and recess in schools? Dr. Amy Bantham has had enough - and she's starting a revolution to get our youth active again.   As the founder of Move to Live More, Amy is trying to empower families and schools in a fight against physical inactivity. In this motivating episode, she shares why movement matters for mental and physical health, tips for fun family fitness, and innovative solutions...

Jacob Peters almost died after a COVID-19 vaccine left him hospitalized. Instead of accepting defeat, he was driven to help others avoid similar struggles. His new company Superpower aims to put people in charge of their health data and connect them to innovative care.   This episode follows Jacob's incredible journey—from building Legos into a six-figure business as a teen to founding a major health tech company after a chance meeting on Wall Street. But it was facing his mortality that...

Tired of the same old drinking culture? In this unconventional podcast episode, Spartan CEO Joe De Sena joins forces with wellness entrepreneur Ruari Fairbairns to drop bombshell strategies for helping people take back control over their lives from Big Alcohol.   From waking guests at dawn with burpees to proposing "water-only" bars, these disruptors will challenge your assumptions with their boldest ideas yet for growing the global sobriety movement.   You'll also get the surprising...

In this fascinating discussion, Dr. Jeff Karp, a top biomedical innovator pulls back the curtain on the difficult journey medical breakthroughs must take to actually help patients. From navigating financial hurdles and clinical trial complexities to manufacturing challenges, hear the surprising barriers promising cures often face on their journey to your local pharmacy.   You'll also get an inside look at how real solutions are being developed. Discover how a nasal spray was created to...

Tired of synthetic pleasures leaving you unfulfilled? Former financier and entrepreneur Seth Goldstein knows how easy it is to fall for fake dopamine hits. But he firmly believes that through discipline and authentic challenges like the Spartan Race, people can find genuine happiness and fulfillment.   In this episode, Seth shares his journey of creating an authentic snack brand called MASA Chips. From identifying a problem and analyzing reports to frying small batches of chips and testing...

Tired of feeling drained? Struggling with inflammation or other health issues? Mason Kuhr shares his holistic approach to tapping into your inner strength. ​​  ​​Through simple daily rituals like cold exposure, meditation, and burpees, Mason has optimized his energy levels, productivity, and recovery. He'll reveal how reconnecting with nature can boost your immunity, testosterone, and more. ​​  ​​You'll also learn Mason's unique take on making wellness accessible and how Stampede Network...

Dominic Schlueter was a regular kid who loved running. Through consistency, the right influences, and taking action on his dreams, he's built a thriving podcast and brand at just 18 years old.   In this episode, Dominic recounts how from a young age he found joy in challenging himself on the track. That drive soon led him to seek out greater obstacles through podcasts and books. And it inspired him to start his own show to share the stories of people that he found inspiring.   Dominic...

Joe De Sena sits down with a young entrepreneur Lukas Pakter, the founder of the SquidHaus fitness apparel company, to discuss sensitive global issues with nuance, as well as Lucas' unconventional path to building his booming athletic apparel brand.   Lucas shares his viral strategy of leveraging an "influential army" of top fitness creators to take over the scene. He plans to sell thousands of discounted tickets to Joe's Spartan Race using influencer codes, donating over $1M to charity in...

In this powerful episode, Spartan founder Joe De Sena sits down for an in-depth conversation with the amazing Brian Johnson, also known as the Heroic Philosopher CEO. They discuss Brian's strategies for building anti-fragile confidence through consistent action.   Brian shares how we can close the gap between who we are and who we want to be by doing what we say we'll do. He explains the importance of living each day with virtue and intensity.   Joe and Brian also discuss forging...

In this hard-hitting episode, bestselling author Michael Easter joins Joe De Sena to discuss the dangers of our addiction to comfort in the modern world.    They explore how technologies like social media and junk food use the same psychological tricks as slot machines to hijack our brains. Easter reveals the "scarcity loop" that makes these activities so addictive. They also debate controversial solutions like taxing junk food and mandatory military service.    This...

Joe De Sena interviews Craig Siegel who is an author and motivational speaker. While having a successful business on Wall St Craig felt unfulfilled. He re-invented himself and constantly pushed himself into discomfort until he found a passion that would get him out of bed in the morning. He now helps others find their true potential and calling.

Joe De Sena sits down with Co-Director of Christspiracy, Kameron Waters who talks about his upcoming film which he and his co-director bought back from Netflix making it the first of its kind to do so. This is the sequel to the popular Seaspiracy, What the Health and Cowspiracy which explores The Spirituality Secret kept hidden for thousands of years. To help Kameron buy the movie back from Netflix they are launching a kickstarter which you can find here:...