Spartan Up! The Book to Help You Get Happy, Successful and Fit

Courage is contagious. Share to inspire your friends!__#spartan #spartancourage.

Many of you have probably heard of the Spartan Race (on this blog, nonetheless) and know it as the world’s premier obstacle adventure race. As the global leader in obstacle racing since 2005, the Spartan Race was designed by eight insane ultra athletes was even voted Best Obstacle Race by Outside Magazine in 2012. It’s unlike any other trail races, mud runs, tough mudder runs, or a warrior dashes in it’s intensity, obstacles and versatility. The goal of the race is simple- to not only get you off your couch, but to deliver the biggest adrenaline rush of your life, whether a participant in the novice Sprint distance or a “Beast” in the World Championship. Now, the owner and driving force behind the Spartan Race, Joe DeSena, has written new book called Spartan Up! which not only serves as an insider’s guide to the race itself, but as a manual for the Spartan way of life to help you get happy, successful and fit.

#Obstacles

Who exactly is Joe? An entrepreneur from age 8, Joe has had a passion for life that moves the ball forward against all odds. Born in Queens NY to a yoga teaching, meditation practicing mother and an Italian father that was an uber-entrepreneur, Joe learned simple techniques for forging ahead no matter what the odds were. In Spartan Up!, you can find out how a young kid breaks out, builds multiple businesses, changes lives, and eventually partners with military SpecOps to ultimately create the Spartan Obstacle Race.

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While I don’t consider myself a Spartan (mostly because I have never done an obstacle race in my life nor am I professional athlete by any means), Spartan philosophy would argue that I am indeed a Spartan based on some principles that apply to all of us who are on a journey to succeed in health and happiness.

  • Finding the will to succeed: The first half of a race you run with your legs; the second half you run with your heart, right? Spartan up! will help you turn your pain into an outboard motor to drive you forward.
  • Tossing your cookies: Through the Cookie Test, Spartan Up! will teach you to overcome the need for immediate gratification and help you prosper long-term
  • Getting Spartan fit: This isn’t necessarily an all-out-run-until-you-pass-out-guide, but learning to train outside the gym for strength, endurance and flexibility for your entire body (a little burpee never hurt anyone). Spartan Up! will teach you what Survival of the Fittest means for you.
  • Moving mountains: Whether metaphorical mountains or the kind that come with a tough workout, Spartan Up! will show you how what you think of as your limitations can actually be a mere starting point for transformation. And who hasn’t been there, right?

I was fortunate enough to be able to ask Joe a few questions a few questions about Spartan Up! and here is what he had to say-

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[WTRB] What makes your book different from all of the other “fitness” books on the market today?

[Joe] It’s not a quick fix, it won’t give you some secret and it shows us that everything we are doing is wrong.

[WTRB] Can anyone read your book? Even someone who doesn’t think they are capable of being a Spartan or adventure racing?

[Joe] Those would be the best readers..people completing the race already will gain a lot of knowledge but they are already on their way…those that have not need the book more than ever.

[WTRB] What is your number one piece of motivational advice to keep someone going when they feel like giving up (in fitness or in life)?

[Joe] You need to change your frame of reference at that moment in time..and remember that quitting lasts forever. The book explains this.

[WTRB] What’s the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome in your fitness life? Your professional life?

[Joe] My parents dying, losing all my money, and failing in business are my top three.

[WTRB] You are definitely a roll model for people looking to get in shape, take their fitness to the next level or pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. How has self-confidence kept you driven to succeed in your fitness and professional goals?

[Joe] Self confidences comes FROM being driven to succeed…we all can gain self confidence and it comes from stepping out of our comfort zone and achieving. It feels so good you seek it out more.

#Confidence #SpartanQuotes

Read more about Spartan Up! including a review by ultramarathoner and best-selling author Dean Karnazes and watch this video. It will get you thinking about the power you have to get motivated and get off the couch.

The book will be released May 13, but you can pre-order now!

In the meantime, I’ll be waiting for the release. I am looking forward to reading Joe’s fitness and entrepreneurial advice and plan to incorporate it into my own life.

What about you?

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Spartan Up!

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Thank you to Joe and the team at Spartan Race for this opportunity to discuss the details of Spartan Up!

Spartan Race Spectacular!

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You’re in luck. In case you haven’t heard, Reebok’s Spartan Race is taking adventure and obstacle racing to new heights and the running world by storm. Not only that, there is a Spartan Spectacular (complete with a giveaway so keep on reading) going on right here on Words to Run By.

Spartan Race is on a mission to get you active, healthy, excited about change, and return to your ancient roots where running through woods, getting dirty, and facing adversity was part of everyday life. The events, put on by Reebok, are all about challenging today’s perception of normal – and they do just that. Having experienced many different racing events, the Spartan staff wanted to make adventure racing more accessible to everyone, equally challenging. Spartan Race now introduces a level for everyone beginning with the entry level Spartan Sprint, intermediate level Super Spartan, the advanced Spartan Beast, and the ‘99.9% need not apply’ extreme level Death Race. So, everyone can participate in one of these events. Spartan’s mission is indeed to change the way people perceive experience and define fitness and their endeavors have gone a long way to help save Reebok and also make obstacle racing an Olympic sport (I’d watch it).

Well now Spartan Race has partnered with NBC Sports Network to produce a television special which will feature the World Championship of Spartan racing. Designed to focus on obstacle racing, this event will be the culmination of the 2013 Reebok Spartan Race Series and will take place September 21-22, 2013, in scenic central Vermont, near Spartan Race HQ in Pittsfield.

Tens of thousands of obstacle racing competitors and enthusiasts from around the world will converge on New England, where $250,000 in cash and prizes will be on the line. At the World Championship, top-ranked Reebok Spartan Race athletes, Olympians and amateur athletes alike will compete with the chance to share their stories and appear on the 90 minute television special airing on NBC Sports on October 19.

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If you are already participating in the World Championship race, this is your time to shine! Share your story about how Reebok Spartan Race has changed your life, for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent Spartan on camera at the World Championship Race in Vermont this September!

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If you’re not registered to race and want to participate in the World Championship, don’t miss the giveaway below and enter to win a free race entry to the Championships or any open heat in any 2013-2104 Spartan Race in the continental US. View the complete listing of upcoming events to be sure there is one you are able to attend.

Can’t wait? The Spartan Race has generous offered a 15% discount which can also be used at any open heat in any 2013-2104 Spartan Race in the continental US.

Free Race Entry Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will run from now until August 28. Good luck and thank you for entering! Thank you to Reebok’s Spartan Race for providing this opportunity for Words to Run By.

Until the next mile marker,

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Pretty Muddy Madness

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Pretty Muddy Madness (oh, and Kenny Chesney) is HERE! Read below for two important announcements you won’t want to miss out on.

Location! Location! Location!

The Central Ohio/Columbus Pretty Muddy race location has been announced. The race will take place on Saturday September 14, 2013  at Mad River Mountain with waves beginning at 8:00 a.m. Mad River Mountain is Ohio’s largest ski resort and is located only a short drive from Columbus, Dayton, and Lima in Zanesfield, OH. Join Team Powerful in Pink at 9:00 a.m. to run with me and other Ohio bloggers!

Pretty Muddy has partnered with MyFitU (Kenny Chesney’s Official Trainer) to help you get ready to race

And you don’t want to miss out on this Pretty Fit Partnership!

For a limited time only, you can use promo code PRETTYMUDDY50 to receive 50% off ANY membership package you choose with My FitU- created by Kenny Chesney’s personal trainer! This exclusive offer is valid to enter one-time only per member and can be applied to the 1, 3, 6 or 12 month plan. The more you commit to the program, the more you save! Find out more about the program, which offers complete online training and nutrition planning at www.myfitu.com.

Kenny with my fit u logo

You can also visit the Pretty Muddy Facebook Page for more details.

What about you? Can you handle the Pretty Muddy Madness? Are you planning to run Pretty Muddy? Are you interested in trying MyFitU? Tell me in the comments!

Until the next mile marker,

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A Spartan Giveaway for My 1400 Fans!

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I’m really excited about all of the mud races, obstacle races, theme races and exciting challenges that runners (or even non-runners!) can participate in. And I am really excited that my Facebook Page, that started out with a mere six or seven likes, now has 1400! In honor of summer, racing fun and all of YOU (because without your support, my blog wouldn’t continue to grow like it has), I am hosting a giveaway. A Spartan giveaway for my 1400 fans to be exact.

Spartan Race BannerWant to know more?

Spartan Race is on a mission to get you active, healthy, excited about change, and return to our ancient roots where running through woods, getting dirty, and facing adversity was part of everyday life. Our events are all about challenging today’s perception of normal.

Our events challenge the familiar, today’s perception of normal living and getting you out of your comfort zone! At Spartan Race, we do this everyday and it shapes everything we do.

Having experienced many different racing events, we wanted to make adventure racing more accessible to everyone, but do not be fooled by the word ‘accessible’, as our events have a challenge for everyone’s needs.

Spartan Race now introduces a level for everyone beginning with the entry level Spartan Sprint, intermediate level Super Spartan, the advanced Spartan Beast, and the ‘99.9% need not apply’ extreme level Death Race.

Whatever your level, Spartan Race will test your strength, stamina, and sense of humor.

– http://www.spartanrace.com

How would you like to win a free entry to a Spartan Race? Check out the event listing to make sure there is one near you (or one that you are willing/able to to travel to) before you enter.

Map of races

The Reebok Spartan Race was voted Best Obstacle Race by Outdoor Magazine in 2012. You can also find out more at the Spartan Race Website and on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest.

Ready for your chance to win? The giveaway for any open heat in any Spartan Race in the continental US will run from midnight on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 through midnight on Friday, June 28, 2013. Spread the word and see the details through Rafflecopter below-

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don’t want to wait for your chance to win a free entry, please visit http://spartanracemedia.com/ for 15% off any Spartan Race.

Good luck and thank you for all of your support!

Until the next mile marker,

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Pretty Muddy? Pretty Amazing Start!

Welcome to June! Summer is officially here – school is out, the grill is on and the mud races have begun.

Today marks the kick-off to the 2013 Pretty Muddy Women’s Mud Run Series. The first wave was this morning at 8:00 a.m. at the Skyline Ranch in Dallas, Texas.  The course there is amazing per the Pretty Muddy updates…the weather is going to be perfect and Pretty Muddy has partnered with some very exciting organizations-

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Pretty Muddy is a 5k adventurous obstacle course mud run for any woman who wants to get outside, spend time with friends and have a lot of fun. (Not to mention, get a little lot muddy). Good luck to everyone running today!

You can keep up with Pretty Muddy and follow race updates throughout the day on Twitter and Facebook.

I’m excited to run the Pretty Muddy race in Columbus on September 14. Registration is now open! You can register here. Join me and several other Central Ohio Bloggers. We are Team Powerful in Pink slated for the 9:00 a.m. wave. You can run or walk, so don’t be shy – I would love to see you there!

What about you? Are you running a Pretty Muddy race? If so, which one? Did you run in Dallas today? Leave me a comment and tell me how pretty awesome it was!

Until the next mile marker,

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