#206 | Do Hard Sh*t | Why I'm Competing In The 2025 Spartan Death Race

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The sweet spot of human potential often lies just beyond where most people are willing to venture. What happens when we deliberately seek out our limits, not just to discover them but to push past them? This profound question sets the stage for my upcoming participation in the 2025 Spartan Death Race—one of the world's most extreme and unpredictable endurance challenges.
My journey toward this event began in 2011 when, as a high school wrestler, I stumbled upon footage of participants diving into freezing Vermont ponds at 2AM to retrieve pennies needed to continue after already enduring 24+ hours of challenges. Where most saw pointless suffering, I recognized something magnetic—a rare opportunity to discover what exists beyond conventional boundaries. That fascination never faded, eventually leading to a conversation with Spartan founder Joe DeSena and ultimately, my acceptance into this legendary event.
Unlike traditional races with clear parameters, the Death Race thrives on uncertainty. The experience begins months before the starting line with monthly challenges designed to eliminate the mentally unprepared—finding logs weighing more than your body weight to drag through snow, solving puzzles while hanging upside down, completing 500 tire flips. Of roughly 100 selected participants each year (chosen from those with impressive endurance résumés including ultramarathon finishes and special forces experience), approximately half abandon their commitment before race day arrives.
What draws someone toward such deliberate difficulty? Two powerful motivations: discovering the better version of myself that exists on the other side of extraordinary challenge, and proving myself right about what I'm truly capable of. These lessons transcend the physical arena, building resilience applicable to every aspect of life. When we embrace discomfort rather than avoid it, we develop tools that serve us professionally, personally, and spiritually.
The greatest potential often lies just beyond what we believe possible. What difficulty are you willing to embrace to discover yours? Join me on this journey by following along, and more importantly, by finding your own version of "doing hard things"—whatever that means for you.

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Chapters

1. Pushing Limits and Finding Boundaries (00:00:00)

2. The Value of Doing Hard Things (00:01:14)

3. Origin Story: Death Race Discovery (00:03:31)

4. Preparing for the Unknown Challenge (00:09:52)

5. Monthly Challenges and Mental Fortitude (00:15:02)

6. The Mysterious Packing List (00:19:53)

7. Race Strategy and Final Thoughts (00:26:22)