You’re Not Disciplined — You’re Just Avoiding What Actually Matters | Craig Ballantyne | EP 460
🔥 Episode Summary:
This conversation will punch you in the face — in the best way.
Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan and Tough Mudder, returns with one of the rawest, most necessary wake-up calls for men today.
We break down the hard truth: Men are getting soft. Comfort is killing purpose. We’ve lost our edge — and Joe’s here to help you take it back.
Joe unpacks:
– Why modern life is designed to make men weak
– When the decline actually started (and it wasn’t just the iPhone)
– How the pandemic nearly destroyed Spartan — and why he didn’t quit
– What actually builds grit in kids (and why parents are failing)
– What to do if you're stuck, soft, or spiraling
– Why movement is the cure for grief, depression, and weakness
– The rule that carried Joe through hell: The standards don’t change
This isn’t motivation. It’s a call to arms.
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
🔥 How comfort destroys resilience
🔥 Why the world doesn’t want you strong
🔥 Joe’s survival story from losing $100M
🔥 The power of adversity in shaping identity
🔥 Why kids need structure, struggle, and discipline
🔥 The mindset that separates warriors from victims
🔥 Why you need hard dates and high standards to thrive
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – The Biggest Problem Men Face
02:25 – When It All Started to Go Wrong
05:56 – Losing $100M & Refusing to Quit
11:30 – The Mental Toll of Constant Pressure
15:54 – When Naysayers Show Up
18:53 – Why Society Doesn’t Want You Fit
22:09 – Grief, Loss & Movement as Medicine
24:56 – Raising Gritty Kids: Camp Sparta
27:50 – The “Quitter’s Office”
31:56 – Why Adversity Must Be Ongoing
36:45 – What To Do When You’re Stuck
38:29 – Dates on the Calendar = Identity Shifts
39:05 – What’s Next for Spartan
🧔♂️ About Joe De Sena:
Founder and CEO of Spartan and Tough Mudder.
Ultra-endurance athlete. Bestselling author.
On a mission to rebuild a stronger, grittier society.
📘 Explore Joe’s World:
🎟 Free Spartan Race Ticket – Email: joe@spartan.com
🏕 Camp Sparta (Death Camp for Kids) – Subject: Camp Sparta
🌍 Spartan & Tough Mudder – https://www.spartan.com
📲 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/realjoedesena
🌐 Website – https://joedesena.com
👊 Want to Work with Lance?
🚀 Want to get booked on top podcasts and grow your brand?
👉 Mic-Up Media → https://www.micupmedia.com
🫁 Ready for a real breakthrough?
Mastery Breathwork → https://www.masterybreathwork.co/
📖 Mastering Adversity (the book) → https://www.lanceessihos.com/book
🔗 More on Lance’s work → https://lanceessihos.com
📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lance.essihos
Podcast – https://feeds.captivate.fm/universityofadversity
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/universityofadversity
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-w-essihos
Email – lance@lancewessihos.com
💥 Enjoyed the episode?
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Send it to someone who needs to stop playing small.
Let’s fking go.** 👊
