595: Joe De Sena Founder of Spartan Race & the Spartan Up! Podcast

In this fascinating interview, Sal, Adam & Justin interview Spartan Race founder Joe De Sena.

You will likely agree this is Mind Pump's most fascinating interview to date. Joe is a master story-teller and his life is absolutely fascinating.

Tales of cleaning pools for crime bosses (the REAL Good Fellas), starting businesses, Japanese Marathon Monks, starting the Spartan Race and much more.

• The guys introduce themselves to Joe (2:42)
• Joe talks about the beginning of  the Spartan Race (4:25)
  • Goodfellas filmed in his hometown of Queens
  • Taught life lessons from crime boss next-door neighbor
    • Had pool business
    • Introduced him to 700 clients!
  • His mom got into yoga
  • Went to St. John’s to pursue his education
  • Graduated Cornell and got into stocks
  • Decides to sell the business and go to Wall St.
  • Starts own business on Wall St. and has 10-year run then sells
  • Starts family and moves to farm town
    • Starts wedding business
  • Meet fitness guy that takes him to first Adventure Race
    • Has to go through trial races to join the team
    • Gains perspective through experiences of being challenged
• What kinds of people do his races? (40:43)
  • CrossFit, Military bulk audience
  • Everyday people
• What kind of growth has he seen? (42:13)
  • China next market to bring races to
• In the people he interviews, what makes a person successful? (44:36)
  • No fear
  • Don't care what people think
  • Upside/downside decision making
• What scares him now? (48:46)
  • Anything involving his family
• When did the company take off? (53:45)
  • Came up with name Spartan
  • 3 distances and multiple races a year
    • People can stay on track health wise
  • Had to create a network for people to see
• Joe talks competition (1:00:35)
• How else does he monetize the business? (1:04:35)
  • Apparel
  • Gym
• Moving ahead, what is he looking to tackle? (1:06:20)
  • People need a date
  • Delayed gratification
•  Joe tells Japan story (1:10:17)
  • Marathon Monks 

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