Put a 100-pound dumbbell in your kitchen.

5 steps to unlock your GRIT.

Spartan Race sent this email to their subscribers on March 29, 2024.

In today’s edition, Joe shares:

Tactics to Make Hard Choices Easier
Trifecta Training Tips
How to Unlock your Grit

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LORD OF THE RINGS

Spartans!

You may have seen this popular video of how Patrik Widelltransformed his home into a ninja gym.

He’s got amazing grip strength. But there’s a lot more we can learn from this guy about how to excuse-proof your life.

If you walked into my home, you’d notice thegiant 100-pound dumbbellon the kitchen floor, placed like a piece of furniture.

It’s not pretty, but it works.

The kitchen is a common space where my family and I will pass the dumbbell multiple times a day. It’s become routine to dogoblet squats on the way to grab a snack, or knock out a set of bent-over rows before dinner.

My kitchen dumbbell eliminates all excuses.

If the dumbbell was tucked away in the corner of a spare bedroom,I’d do at least 25 less squats each day.

You can’t expect your brain to make the hard choice. Just like Patrick’s ninja home gym, and my kitchen dumbbell,the goal is to make the hard choice a no-brainer.

Start by reimagining your environment.

Imagine if, in Ancient Sparta, athletes had to commute an hour every morning just to get to military practice. It just wouldn’t happen. Rain, unruly children, wayward cattle, a broken wagon wheel — there are a million things that would be used as an excuse to call out sick.

To realize their full potential, athletes had to live amongst fellowathletes and embrace the Sparta lifestyleevery day.

What and whoyou surround yourself with will either make your goals harder or easier. Choose wisely.

Here are some ideas to start:

Get a few pairs of dumbbells for your home.
Find a gym closer to work.
Remove food in your home that doesn’t support your training goals.
Meet new friendswho will race with you as a team.
Delete an app from your phone that’s distracting you.

Here’s to The Hard Way!

Joe

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HOW TO UNLOCK YOUR GRIT

Commit to your goal.Eliminate excuses by signing up or establishing a due date.
Maximize your time.Our time is a precious asset that is commonly wasted. Make sure you’re using your time to make the boat go faster.
Delay gratification.A few weeks in, you’re going to want to see results, but probably won’t. Don’t quit. Be patient with a plan.
Get enthusiastic.Enthusiasm will win over expertise. Fake it if you have to.
Embrace adversity.One of the best life skills to hone is welcoming adversity. You’ll build a higher tolerance for discomfort, lower your expectations, and learn about how capable you are.
Unlock your grit.Practice these steps over and over, while accepting feedback and learning as you go.

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You Ask, Joe Answers

Q: Hi Joe,What is the best way to train for a Trifecta weekend?
– Terry S.

A:Hey Terry, To start training for the pinnacle Spartan achievement, I’d suggest reading ourUltimate Trifecta Training Guide. This will show you the specific physical skills you’ll need to focus on. However, Trifectas are largely a mental challenge. An old running proverb goes, “You run the first half with your legs, the second half with your mind.” You’re going to be sore and completely exhausted with hours to go. At home, practice pushing yourself after you’re already in a depleted state. Something like two-a-days, where you run in the morning and again at night, could do the trick.

Aroo!

Question for Joe? Want to tell him what you think of The Hard Way? Email him atthehardway@spartan.com.

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They Said It

“Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future”

–Dan Pena

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➝OUR LATEST

The Hard Way Podcast

“I’ve never really considered giving up. It was just a matter of reconstructing in my brain, ‘What do I have to do next? That didn’t work, what's the next approach?”
–Dre Baldwin

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