• Spartan Mindset in Modern Business | Joe de Sena and Kevin Kaiser
    May 14 2024

    Kevin Kaiser has an unconventional approach to business that was shaped by his roots growing up on a farm in Canada. As a professor at Wharton, one of the top business schools in the world, Kaiser is challenging the status quo.

    In this fascinating podcast episode, Kaiser shares the philosophies that have made him an outlier - treating companies like living organisms that must constantly adapt to survive. He believes success breeds complacency if you don't disrupt yourself.

    You will learn Kaiser's unique strategies for avoiding complacency and staying motivated through unpredictability. You'll discover why he argues against giving employees clear goals and instead pushes them outside their comfort zones.

    Kaiser also dives into mindset, explaining how to "own" your thoughts and emotions rather than identify with them. For business leaders and entrepreneurs, this podcast provides an invigorating fresh perspective on value creation, leadership, and turning assumptions on their heads.

    Highlights:
    00:00 Intro
    01:01 Kevin Kaiser’s background
    02:08 Business as a living organism
    03:55 Who decides how to deploy resources?
    06:03 Students at Wharton and fragility
    09:44 How do big companies like Kodak fail?
    13:18 Staying relevant as a company
    15:33 Don’t listen to evolutionary wants
    19:26 Challenges and the example of Toyota
    22:26 Being the manager of your mind, body, and emotions
    24:58 How can people find Kevin?

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    29 mins
  • The Shocking Truth About Fitness That Will Change Your Life
    May 7 2024

    Dr. John Jaquish discovered a revolutionary way to build strong bones that goes against everything you've been told.

    In this insightful conversation with Joe De Sena, Dr, John reveals how he cured his own mother's osteoporosis and created a $100 million business - all by ignoring conventional wisdom.

    He will also open your eyes to why workouts like weightlifting don't work, and share his portable home gym that packs serious muscle-building power. By the end, you'll be left wondering what other "facts" about health and fitness are actually dead wrong. Dr. John will change what you think you know about building muscle and strength.

    Don't miss this eye-opening conversation that just may transform your health forever. Tune in now!

    Highlights:

    00:00 Intro
    01:15 Dr. John Jaquish and his biomedical company
    02:49 Dr. John’s childhood, college, and entrepreneurship
    06:32 OsteoStrong - a medical device that treats osteoporosis
    11:13 Exposure to cold and health benefits
    14:19 The importance of hip joint strength
    16:07 Joe’s accident and dislocation of hip joint
    18:55 Bone density, weight lifting, and the X3 System
    26:24 Veganism and ancestral animal-based diet
    33:54 Where can people find Dr. John?

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    34 mins
  • Lessons on Continuous Learning and Pushing Yourself with Peter Frintzilas
    Apr 30 2024

    In this episode, Joe se Sena is having an insightful conversation with TeamSnap CEO Pete Frintzilas. Pete shares how facing challenges as a child of immigrants built his resilience and success. He discusses lessons learned on instilling a strong work ethic in kids without spoiling them.

    Joe and Pete also discuss how continuous learning and seeking guidance from mentors fueled their growth and empowered them to overcome obstacles. Discover actionable advice on prioritizing your career early, developing an immigrant work ethic, and showing appreciation to accelerate your success from scratch.

    Tune in now!

    Highlights:
    00:00 Intro
    01:01 Pete Frintzilas's background and childhood
    03:55 Raising resilient children
    07:31 Overprinting of the first child
    09:05 Challenges of being a CEO of a big company
    10:56 Hard work, mentors, and professional growth
    13:24 Communication, gratitude, and working hard
    15:55 Regret for not starting a business earlier
    17:54 Where can people find Pete?

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    18 mins
  • The Sales Engineer: Victor Antonio's Winning Strategies
    Apr 23 2024

    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 how he trains sales teams to minimize objections and build lasting relationships. You'll be inspired by the man who turned adversity into advantage through education, hard work, and never giving up.

    Highlights:
    01:01 Victor Antonio’s childhood and family
    03:45 Family dynamics and education
    06:28 Culture shock of going to college
    08:35 Fundamental attribution error and personal growth
    13:31 The value of an engineering degree
    16:01 Leaving his job and writing a book
    18:53 Sales Ex Machina book and understanding AI
    22:38 Data is the new oil
    24:06 Sales engineer: Pre-internet and post-internet sales
    27:23 The latest book Relationship Selling
    28:36 Life or Debt reality show

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    29 mins
  • Building Reebok: Finding the Right Space at the Right Time | Joe Foster
    Apr 16 2024

    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 opportunities allowed Reebok to outmaneuver giants and become the #1 brand in women's fitness worldwide. De Sena and Foster also discuss invaluable lessons around turning obstacles into opportunities and how perseverance can pay off big for entrepreneurs willing to work hard and think outside the box.

    Highlights:
    00:00 Intro
    00:49 How did Reebok start?
    04:16 Selling Reebok and going into aerobics
    06:24 Surviving and thriving in business
    08:07 Working with family members
    09:23 Why do most companies fail?
    10:43 The role of luck in success
    11:28 The importance of sports
    12:55 Writing a book - Shoemaker
    15:42 How can people find Joe?
    16:08 Preparing the second book
    17:53 Just keep going

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    23 mins
  • Joe De Sena and Shawn Nelson Debate: Do we really need a couch?
    Apr 9 2024
    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 and rest, and achieving your potential through consistent effort and facing fears. This inspiring conversation provides valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, parents, and anyone striving to maximize success while maintaining well-being. Don't miss Shawn Nelson's intriguing rise from beanbags to billions. Highlights:

    00:00 Intro 00:49 Overnight success story of Lovesac 02:24 Furniture that evolves with you 04:01 Do we really need a couch? 06:36 Rewiring your brain to be active 11:11 Pushing your kids until it works 17:00 Opening dopamine pathways 20:34 Spartan race Massachusetts 21:05 Finding your own thing 24:50 Where can people find Shawn
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    26 mins
  • Overcoming Obstacles Together: Tools for Elite Performers' Marriages | Amy Wine
    Apr 2 2024

    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 Amy's techniques for educating spouses on the elite mindset and scheduling meaningful moments together.

    Whether you're training for the Olympics or building an empire, get Amy's advice for keeping romance alive while chasing your dreams.

    Highlights:
    00:00 Intro
    01:04 Who is Amy Wine?
    01:40 Troubles with relationships
    03:57 Married roommates stage
    07:31 High-class problems
    09:21 Being there for your spouse
    11:23 The mindset of wanting the change
    15:46 Finding the joy
    18:08 We don’t own stuff, it owns us
    20:41 How can people find Amy?

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    24 mins
  • Why Most People Don't Succeed (And How to Beat the Odds) | Dre Baldwin
    Mar 26 2024

    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 with others who are truly ready to put in the effort.

    For anyone wanting to up their game in life and business, this episode is a must-watch source of inspiration and practical advice on overcoming obstacles through grit and determination.

    Highlights:
    00:00 Intro
    00:46 Work on Your Game phrase
    02:29 Why don’t people work on their game?
    04:55 Staying focused and motivated
    06:55 Fight against the gravity
    08:45 How to motivate unmotivated people?
    14:17 Joe’s invite to his event
    15:18 Transformation stories
    19:31 How can people find Dre

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    20 mins