Spartan Up! : A Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life

When Joe De Sena took part in the Utatek endurance race, held in Quebec in the middle of winter, he had to cover 350 desolate, frozen miles by iceboat, skis and mountain bike, hiking through knee-deep snow or climbing icy mountains without a rope. When he explained to people what he had done, they said he was stupid or suicidal. He saw it another way: he had accomplished more than he ever knew was possible. Taking on big challenges shows you possibilities you didn't know existed. With that experience in mind, De Sena set up Spartan Races, a series of extreme obstacle events. Whether over three miles or marathon distances, competitors are faced with a series of challenges, from crawling through mud under barbed wire to carrying a heavy sandbag, to push them beyond their limits. De Sena shows how with a simple philosophy - commit to a goal, put in the work, and get it done - people can achieve remarkable things. Whether you are up for the challenge yourself, or just want to learn more about life at the extremes, this book is for you. Since 2006 more than one million people have participated in Spartan Races around the world. In 2014 there will be a race every other day in 15 countries on five continents. What do these Spartans know that you dont? They know that we all have a fire burning within us to prove ourselves. Joe De Sena has captured that invincible Spartan spirit in his manifesto for bold living, SPARTAN UP! A Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; May 13, 2014; $24). De Senas prescription for lifes insurmountable obstacles is to get off the couch and crush them through hard work and force of will. A legend in the ultramarathon community, he created Spartan Race, extreme obstacle races where no one knows what to expect, but to finish is to be transformed. Spartan Race drives participants to their very limit to learn what they are capable of and to set a new frame of reference; one they can draw upon in the face of lifes harshest challenges. Everyday disappointments and setbacks seem small when youve been to the other side of hell and made it back as a victor. In SPARTAN UP! De Sena paints a picture of how he created the Spartan way of life, beginning with an unexpected challenge by a friend that got him back into shape through endurance racing. After that first race, De Sena completed more than 50 ultramarathons (in conditions ranging from -30 to 120 degrees) and 14 Ironman events, including the 135-mile Badwater ultramarathon, the 140.6 Lake Placid Ironman, and a 100-mile Vermont trail runin a single week. The harder the race the more he loved it; he was hooked. SPARTAN UP! is more than an insiders view of the world of obstacle racing, its a manual for the Spartan way of life, including : Finding the will to succeed: The first half of a race you run with your legs; the second half you run with your mind. Turn your pain into an outboard motor to drive you forward. Tossing your cookies: The Cookie Test can teach you how to overcome the need for immediate gratification and help you prosper in the long term. Changing your frame of reference: Reset your inner default as an antidote to dissatisfaction and the insatiable need for more. Getting Spartan fit: Survival of the Fittest means training outside the gym for strength, endurance and flexibility throughout the entire bodyand dont forget those burpees! Moving mountains: Whether metaphorical mountains or the ones on which Spartans race, what you think are your limits can be a mere starting point for transformation. Age, gender, and physical ability are no barrier and finishers become entirely new people, without limitations, living life to the fullest. Thats why the Spartans say: Youll know at the finish line. JOE DE SENA is a cofounder of Spartan Race, which began as an obstacle race based on the extreme spirit of the legendary Death Race, and has become a multi-million dollar global lifestyle company in less than 10 years. It was voted Outside magazines Best Obstacle Race. In one years time he competed in the Raid International Ukatak in Canada; the IditaSport in Alaska; the Odyssey Adventure Race and the OAR Beast of the East, both in Virginia; the Raid the North Extreme in Newfoundland, the Adrenaline Rush in Ireland and the Discovery Channel World Championships in Switzerland. He resides in Vermont with his family. For more information, please visit (http://www.spartanupthebook.com) www.spartanupthebook.com . "A must read for anyone looking to take his performance to the next level, be it in athletics or in life."?Dean Karnazes, author of Ultra Marathon Man "If there's anyone out there who has taken extreme to a new level, its Joe De Sena?in adventure racing, in business, and ultimately in the business of adventure! Spartan Up! is must-read."?Robyn Benincasa, world champion adventure racer and New York Times best-selling author of How Winning Works What do marathoners do when 26.2 miles just isn't enough anymore? They try obstacle racing, combining the endurance challenges of a marathon with the mind- and body-bending rigors of overcoming obstacles along the way. At the heart of this phenomenon is Joe De Sena, the driving force behind the Spartan Race. De Sena overcame his own obstacles?working his way from Queens to Wall Street to legendary extreme athlete?by adhering to a simple philosophy: commit to a goal, put in the work, and get it done. From that philosophy, as played out now for millions across trails, through mud, and up mountainsides, the Spartan Race was born. Filled with unforgettable stories of Spartan racers as well as hard-won truths learned along the course, Spartan Up! will help you reach your full potential in whatever you set out to do. "Have you ever wanted to be more, been stuck in a funk, or simply wanted make life poignant? Look no further because Spartan Up! is your catalyst. Loaded with real life inspiration and lessons, Joe De Sena uses his supercharged success in life, business, and sports to deliver the nuggets. This is an easy and juicy read; succinct, powerful, and relevant."?Ian Adamson, world champion adventure racer and author of Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing "A must read for anyone looking to take his performance to the next level, be it in athletics or in life." —Dean Karnazes, ultramarathoner and New York Times –bestselling author of Ultra Marathon Man What do marathoners do when 26.2 miles just isn't enough anymore? They try obstacle racing, combining the endurance challenges of a marathon with the mind- and body-bending rigors of overcoming obstacles along the way. At the heart of this phenomenon is Joe De Sena, the driving force behind the Spartan Race. De Sena overcame his own obstacles—working his way from Queens to Wall Street to legendary extreme athlete—by adhering to a simple philosophy: commit to a goal, put in the work, and get it done. From that philosophy, as played out now for millions across trails, through mud, and up mountainsides, the Spartan Race was born. Filled with unforgettable stories of Spartan racers as well as hard-won truths learned along the course, Spartan Up! will help you reach your full potential in whatever you set out to do. "Succinct, powerful and relevant." —Ian Adamson, world champion adventure racer and author of The Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing "[A] must-read." —Robyn Benincasa, world champion adventure racer and New York Times bestselling author of How Winning Works " Spartan Up! will guide you to train your body and mind for the arduous Spartan Race—while also giving you very practical insights to perform at your peak in all areas of your life." —Mark Divine, founder, SEALFIT and author of The Way of the SEAL and Unbeatable Mind Joe De Sena, one of the founding creators of Spartan Races, sounds the alarm of how soft and weak we've become through modern living. Spartan Up! is a call to arms, motivating readers to take action in their lives through inspiring stories and practical advice. What do marathoners do when 26.2 miles just isn’t enough anymore? They try obstacle racing, combining the endurance challenges of a marathon with the mind- and body-bending rigors of overcoming obstacles along the way. At the heart of this phenomenon is Joe De Sena, the driving force behind the Spartan Race. De Sena overcame his own obstacles—working his way from Queens to Wall Street to legendary extreme athlete—by adhering to a simple philosophy: commit to a goal, put in the work, and get it done. From that philosophy, as played out now for millions across trails, through mud, and up mountainsides, the Spartan Race was born. Filled with unforgettable stories of Spartan racers as well as hard-won truths learned along the course, Spartan Up! will help you reach your full potential in whatever you set out to do. "A must-read for anyone looking to take his performance to the next level, be it in athletics or in life."—Dean Karnazes, author of Ultra Marathon Man “If there’s anyone out there who has taken extreme to a new level, its Joe De Sena—in adventure racing, in business, and ultimately in the business of adventure! Spartan Up! is a must-read.”—Robyn Benincasa, world champion adventure racer and New York Times best-selling author of How Winning Works Twenty-six point two miles isn't enough anymore. Obstacle course racing, which combines the endurance challenges of a marathon with the mind-bending rigors of overcoming obstacles along the way, is taking the world by storm. At the center of this phenomenon is Joe DeSena, the driving force behind the enormously popular Spartan Race. DeSena offers a simple philosophy: commit to a goal, put in the work, and get it done. From that philosophy, as played out first in his own life and now for millions across trails, through mud, and up mountainsides, Spartan Race was born. Now in Spartan Up! DeSena gives you a life strategy guide that takes you out of your comfort zone and into a combat zone. As he breaks down obstacles from his many races, detailing how each parallels real life experiences, you will learn how to: • conquer your greatest obstacle—your will • embrace your greatest friend—discipline • make limitations vanish... When Joe De Sena took part in the Utatek endurance race, held in Quebec in the middle of winter, he had to cover 350 desolate, frozen miles by iceboat, skis and mountain bike, hiking through knee-deep snow or climbing icy mountains without a rope. When he explained to people what he had done, they said he was stupid or suicidal. He saw it another way: he had accomplished more than he ever knew was possible. Taking on big challenges shows you possibilities you didn't know existed. With that experience in mind, De Sena set up Spartan Races, a series of extreme obstacle events. Filled with the unforgettable stories of Spartan racers, as well as hard-won truths learned along the way, this book will help anyone to reach their full potential 30 below and nowhere to go -- From here to insanity -- Confronting the greatest obstacle: your will -- Overcoming obstacles, tossing your cookies -- Changing your frame of reference -- Getting Spartan fit -- Change your diet, change your life -- Moving past mountains -- Transformance: forging new bonds -- The finish line: becoming Spartan.;De Sena, the driving force behind the enormously popular Spartan Race, breaks down obstacles from his many races, detailing how each parallels real life experiences and showing you how to conquer your greatest obstacle, embrace your greatest friend, make limitations vanish and establish a new normal, and achieve the ultimate. De Sena, the driving force behind the enormously popular Spartan Race, breaks down obstacles from his many races, detailing how each parallels real life experiences and showing you how to conquer your greatest obstacle, embrace your greatest friend, make limitations vanish and establish a new normal, and achieve the ultimate.--[Source inconnue] A Life Strategy Guide By The Creator Of The Spartan Race Explains How The Principles That Bring About Success In An Extreme Sports Environment Can Help Anyone Achieve His Or Her Full Potential In Life, Business, And Relationships.