Episode 055: Joe Desena – Spartan Race CEO, Delayed Gratification, & Helping 1 Million People

Joe Desena is an incredibly intense person. He truly understands the importance of an intense focus on pushing yourself beyond what you might have perceived your limits to be. We are extremely fortunate to have Joe share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Joe Desena is the founder and creator of “Spartan Race.” Spartan Race drives competitors to their very limit to learn what they are capable of and sets a new frame of reference; one they can draw upon in the face of life’s harshest challenges. Competitors climb ropes, crawl under barbed wire, and jump over fire, as well as a host of other boot-camp-like maneuvers. Everyday disappointments and setbacks seem small when you’ve been to the other side of hell and made it back as a victor.

Joe wrote "Spartan Up" which chronicles his journey while also eliciting the life-changing transformations that has occurred for over 1 million globally people thus far. The book reached number two on The New York Times bestseller list for Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous, and number six on the Publishers Weekly bestseller list and was named a USA Today bestseller.

Episode 055: Joe Desena – Spartan Race CEO, Delayed Gratification, & Helping 1 Million People

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The Learning Leader Show

“It is important that you’re able to delay gratification… Anything worth achieving takes dedication and an extreme amount of work.”

Some Questions I Ask:

• What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
• What was it like growing up in a “Goodfellas” type environment?
• Discuss the importance of leaping outside your comfort zone…
• Why did you move your family to Asia?
• What is your morning routine?
• What advice do you give to young people who strive to accomplish big things?
• What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• What he’s learned from working in 700 different homes/families
• The mentality of Spartans
• The importance of having an extremely high level of optimism
• Delayed gratification and why it’s so important
• Why playing the long game is the correct method
• Morning routines for him and his kids
• The importance of finding great people to work with
• Being willing and able to adapt on a daily basis

“Find a great leader… Offer to work for him for free. It will be worth it in the long run.”

Continue Learning:

· Go To Joe’s website: SpartanUpTheBook.com

· Read: Spartan Up!

· Follow Spartan Race on Twitter: @SpartanRace

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Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Joe Desena is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From SpartanUpTheBook.com (Picture From Men’s Journal)

Joe Desena is the founder and creator of “Spartan Race.” Spartan Race drives competitors to their very limit to learn what they are capable of and sets a new frame of reference; one they can draw upon in the face of life’s harshest challenges. Competitors climb ropes, crawl under barbed wire, and jump over fire, as well as a host of other boot-camp-like maneuvers. Everyday disappointments and setbacks seem small when you’ve been to the other side of hell and made it back as a victor.

Joe wrote "Spartan Up" which chronicles his journey while also eliciting the life-changing transformations that has occurred for over 1 million globally people thus far. The book reached number two on The New York Times bestseller list for Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous, and number six on the Publishers Weekly bestseller list and was named a USA Today bestseller.