Spartan Training

In our last +1, we hung out with my two favorite Joes: Scholar of the Hero’s Journey (and Grandpa in my spiritual family tree) Joseph Campbell, and gritty heroic exemplar (and soul brother), Joe De Sena.

Alexandra recently got Steven Pressfield’s newest book called The Artist’s Journey. Sub-title: The Wake of the Hero’s Journey and the Lifelong Pursuit of Meaning.

Not too long ago, we chatted about the Big 2 Virtues—the two virtues that science says are MOST correlated with a deep sense of true happiness and flourishing.

In our last +1, we talked about the Spartan World Championships and my “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” and “OMMS!” “OMMS!” “OMMS!” mantras as I started (!) and finished the Race after Emerson challenged me to do it.

Joe De Sena’s newest book is called The Spartan Way. It’s all about the ten Spartan virtues. It’s awesome.

Not too long ago, I introduced you to Leonidas—my Spartan sweatband. Yes, I realize it’s ridiculous that I wear this all day every day. That’s the whole point. (Hah.)

In our last few +1s, we’ve been having fun hanging out with Spartan Race Founder/CEO Joe De Sena, his son Jack and his cast-iron friend Leo. We also met my new sweatband Leonidas.

In our last +1, we met Spartan Race Founder/CEO Joe De Sena’s son Jack. As you may recall, at six years old he had the willpower of an ancient Spartan warrior!

I started writing this at 5:22 on September 29th, 2019. I was in the Squaw Valley Resort (room 316) in Northern Lake Tahoe for the Spartan World Championships that we talked about not too long ago.

In our last +1, we talked about Zen in the Art of Spartan Spear Throwing and the recent installation of a spear throw setup in our backyard, complete with bails of hay, etc. (Yes, we’re ALL IN at the Johnson house.)

In our last +1, we talked about chasms and jumps and sidewalk cracks. I shared a couple of personal stories with my Spartan Races.

In our last couple +1s, we talked about finishing strong and getting to the starting lines of life.

In our last +1, I introduced you to my new watch, Mr. Suunto, who asks me every day, “What direction are you headed today, sir?” To which I reply, “To the BEST version of myself, sir!” (We have a very nice rapport. lol)

I’ve mentioned the fact that I love to do 100+ burpees every day but I realized I haven’t formally introduced you to Mr. Royal H. Burpee. (My apologies!)

In our last +1, we talked about my quest to be a Spartan champion in 2025 and how that’s resulted in a lot of WINing TODAY. (How’re your goals-systems?!)

Jerry Rice was one of the greatest (American) football players ever. He was a wide receiver known for his astonishing work ethic and commitment to (and demonstration of) excellence.

The other day we received a beautiful note from a Hero (thank you, Jessica!) letting us know how much she appreciated our work.

In our last +1, we met Joe De Sena’s kettlebell named Leo. (I laugh as I type that.)

Today we have some very important news.

In our last couple +1s, we’ve talked about your breathing. If you haven’t checked out the full Optimal Breathing 101 master class yet, you might dig it.

Continuing our theme of stepping up and into our very own World Champion You Training Camp, let’s have fun with a little practice of mine.

Let’s go back to Kelly McGonigal’s The Joy of Movement.

Joseph Campbell once shared a bit of advice given to a young Native American at the time of his initiation. He was told: “As you go the way of life, you will see a great chasm. Jump. It’s not as wide as you think.”

In Spartan Up!, Joe De Sena (founder of Spartan Race) tells the ridiculous story of Göran Kropp.

The other day I celebrated the 9-month anniversary of my little bionic-arm-creating injury. I celebrated by doing 300 burpees.

In our last +1, we talked about the importance of finishing strong. I shared a bit about the origin story of my first business, eteamz. It probably sounded like all sunshines and rainbows. Of course, it wasn’t.

In our last +1, we took a trip down Etymology Lane and learned that the word Identity has ancient Latin roots. It literally (!) means “repeated beingness.” Who you are, your sense of your self, is largely formed by what you do. Repeatedly.

The other day as we were wrapping up another great studio session, our film genius Ben was breaking down our setup and we were chatting about that day’s +1s.

Not too long ago I introduced you to my Suunto watch. Then I introduced you to my little Spartan Leonidas.

In our last +1, we talked about my mission to become a Spartan World Champion.

In our last +1, we talked about The Choice of Hercules.

Tim Pychyl is one of the world’s leading authorities on the science of conquering procrastination. He wrote a great book called Solving the Procrastination Puzzle and we featured him in Conquering Procrastination 101.

Not too long ago, we talked about the Golden Buddha. In fact, as you may recall, we talked about him twice.

This morning as I was wrapping up my AM1 Deep Work time block—which, of course, was preceded by that morning’s meditation and the prior night’s bookend featuring an early shut-down complete, digital sunset and red lights at the Johnson house—I heard a tap-tap-tap on my office door.

Since our time with George Leonard exploring his ideas on Mastery, I’ve been thinking about him a lot.

Ultimately, what we want to get *really* (!!!) good at alchemizing any and all challenges into fuel for the bonfire that is our passionate commitment to living a heroic life in service to something bigger than ourselves.

Not too long ago we talked about how much I enjoy training in the rain.

In our last +1, we had fun chatting about the diploma we give to our Heroic Coaches.

In our last +1, I shared a kind note from a fellow Heroes and we talked about developing our obstacle immunity one OMMS at a time.

In our last couple +1s, we chatted about a couple of the astonishing stats on the science of how movement Optimizes our sense of well-being and joy.

Today I want to go spend another minute or three with Trevor Moawad and some more wisdom from his great book It Takes What It Takes.

In our last few +1s, we’ve been spending some time with world-class fear wolf-tamer, Mark Divine as we explore wisdom from his new book Staring Down the Wolf.

Today we’re going to have some fun mapping out how to use micro-moments of frustration to catalyze the next-best version of you, antifragile style.

In our last couple +1s, we talked about a key (arguably the #1 key) predictor of our long-term health/morbidity: our visceral fat.