Spartan Up!

A Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life

By: Jeff O'Connell, Joe De Sena

Narrated by: Christian Rummel

Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Twenty-six point two miles isn’t enough anymore. Obstacle course racing, which combines the endurance challenges of a marathon with the mind-bending rigors of overcoming obstacles along the way, is taking the world by storm. At the center of this phenomenon is Joe De Sena, the driving force behind the enormously popular Spartan Race. De Sena offers a simple philosophy: commit to a goal, put in the work, and get it done. From that philosophy, as played out first in his own life and now for millions across trails, through mud, and up mountainsides, Spartan Race was born. Now in Spartan Up! De Sena gives you a life strategy guide that takes you out of your comfort zone and into a combat zone. As he breaks down obstacles from his many races, detailing how each parallels real life experiences, you will learn how to:

• Conquer your greatest obstacle - your will
• Embrace your greatest friend - discipline
• Make limitations vanish and establish a new normal
• Achieve the ultimate: obstacle immunity

Other events breed sheep; Spartan Race breeds wolves.

Filled with unforgettable stories of Spartan racers as well as hard-won truths learned along the course, Spartan Up! will help anyone reach their full potential - in life, business, relationships, indeed anything one sets out to do. It is the blueprint that takes you right past Go, to your finish line.

©2014 Spartan Race, Inc. (P)2014 Audible Inc.

A different type of mindset

If you could sum up Spartan Up! in three words, what would they be?

Decide, commit, change

What did you like best about this story?

There are many stories about various types of people, including the author. Joe de Sena seems to be cut from a different cloth than most people, but that's probably what makes him as successful as he is. All the stories are varied and have a point,

What does Christian Rummel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I wasn't thrilled with the narration in the beginning, but it grew on me. I can't say that he brought anything at all.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The story of the Marines and the amputee early in the book. Short, but, message received!

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed all the messages in this book. Work hard, eat to fuel yourself, sometimes just getting to the starting line is a win, life changes the rules, try not to be so comfortable all the time.

Well worth your time in listening even if you don't plan to do a Spartan race.

loved it

This book was awesome. I signed up for Spartan Race as soon as I was finished reading it

Makes you want to race!

I enjoy DeSena's podcast, so I was interested in learning more. This book will make you want to race or at least challenge yourself and reach out of your comfort zone. My only criticism is the narrator speaks too slowly and you may need to set it at 1.25x to keep it moving.

just what I needed

Incredible account of excellence in the making; I'm buying the text version as well. Thanks.

Awesome

Probably the most bad ass but I have ever had the privilege of listening to. Finally a book that makes you want to feel alive again.

Very inspiring

This book was so much more than a guide to the Spartan race, though it certainly does that. it gives you amazing life lessons and stories throughout.

Great book

Narration was awesome and perfectly complimented the topic. Was interesting subject for pushing the human body to its limit.

Motivating

Very motivated after listening to this. Yes, Mr De Sena is not an award winning perfect author and there are times he rambles or jumps around....but sometimes are more important for some books. The heart and content in this book are awesome.

Enjoyable!

Books like these always help me put things in perspective when I am having difficult times. I really enjoyed listening to this one!

Equals 25 pushups

If you could sum up Spartan Up! in three words, what would they be?

Who the heck would be my three words to describe this book. Who the heck is this plain spoken, gravel voice guy? Who the heck would sign up for his training? Who the heck am I if I don't try harder from now on.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Him, Joe De Sena because he is real. He comes across as nothing fancy, plain brown wrapper and common sense.

Which character – as performed by Christian Rummel – was your favorite?

I suppose it is Joe but I am not sure why this is an area of my review. There are no characters. That would be like who is our favorite character in a news story, it is about a person and a process.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When they cut the final day short but the competitors did not believe them and kept running

Any additional comments?

Yes, even a non-competitive person will be inspired. Whether you go to a gym or take your children to a jungle gym, listen to the book, read the book, laugh, cry, be moved by a great, real life story.