Prepare to be amazed by the incredible journey of Travis Mills, a former U.S. Army staff sergeant who lost all four limbs in an IED explosion during his third deployment to Afghanistan. Despite facing unimaginable adversity, Travis refused to let his injuries define him, embarking on a remarkable path of recovery, resilience, and reinvention.

In this captivating episode, you'll witness Travis' transformation from a young, athletic soldier to a motivational speaker, author, and founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting injured veterans and their families. Hear firsthand how he navigated the physical and emotional challenges of his recovery, rediscovered his purpose, and inspired countless others with his unwavering spirit.

Prepare to be moved, empowered, and reminded that no obstacle is too great to overcome when you possess the determination and courage of a true warrior. This is a story that will leave you in awe and remind you that the human spirit is truly unbreakable.

Timestamps:

00:49 Introduction to Travis Mills
01:25 Early Life and Military Career
05:10 Marriage, Kids & Deployments in Afghanistan
11:44 The Wild West of the Third Deployment
16:27 Bomb Explosion & Devastating Injuries
24:45 Arriving to the Hospital & The Reality of His Injuries
27:30 Becoming a Quadriplegic & a Way to Recovery
31:01 Overcoming Obstacles & the Importance of Perspective.
33:55 Adaptive Sports and Family Bonding
36:45 Founding the Travis Mills Foundation
39:45 Pushing limits, starting new businesses, and finding purpose
42:05 Finding the Right Perspective
43:35 Final Thoughts

Connect to Travis:

🌐 Website: Travis Mills
🌐 Website: Travis Mills Foundation
📸 Instagram: @ssgtravismills
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ssgtravismills/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssgtravismills/

Struggling with sleepless nights and sluggish days? In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with sleep expert Andrew Vontz to uncover the science behind truly restful sleep.

Learn straightforward, research-backed strategies to fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up rejuvenated - no gimmicks, no expensive gadgets, just real results.

Andrew shares practical tips you can start using tonight to unlock better sleep and enjoy the incredible benefits: sharper focus, better health, and unstoppable energy.

It’s time to take charge of your sleep and transform your life!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:49 The Better Lab and the science of better sleep
05:23 Sleep trackers and fake sleep scores
10:02 Avoid late-night social media scrolling
13:17 The science behind hot showers before bed
15:45 Comfort myths: Do you need a luxury mattress?
16:50 The role of exercise in improving sleep quality
18:27 The fluency effect and benefits of morning sunlight
22:24 Shift your caffeine consumption to prior to noon
23:29 Recap: Top sleep tips and starting simple

Connect to Andrew:

🌐 Website: The Better Lab
📸 Instagram: @thebetterlab_hq
📘 Facebook: @thebetterlabHQ
💼 LinkedIn: Andrew Vontz

In this episode, running coach Jason Fitzgerald and Joe De Sena dive deep into the transformative power of running.

Discover how to push past your limits, build unbreakable mental toughness, and become the athlete you never thought possible.

From overcoming the initial struggle to running a 2:39 marathon, Jason shares his personal journey and proven strategies to help even the most skeptical couch potato become a fearless endurance athlete. Hear how unconventional training methods, like obstacle racing and strength work, can unlock new levels of speed and resilience.

Whether you're training for your first 5K or aiming to conquer an ultra, this episode will inspire, motivate, and arm you with the tools to transform your running and your life.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:44 Jason’s 13-year journey to a 2:39 marathon
04:04 How running impacts weight and muscles
05:16 Unconventional training methods
06:59 Thoughts on flexibility for runners
08:30 Pushing forward despite what brain tells you
11:46 The crucial role of variety in training
15:39 Long runs and mental tenacity
19:52 Breaking barriers through consistency
21:42 Advice for beginner runners
25:10 When pain turns to pleasure
27:03 How to connect with Strength Running

Struggling with junk food battles or getting your kids off their screens? In this episode, Joe De Sena and nutrition expert Amelia Phillips tackle the biggest challenges of raising healthy, active kids in today's screen-obsessed world.

Hear Amelia’s tips for parents who want to raise the next generation of strong, healthy achievers. Learn simple, actionable strategies to transform your family's habits, conquer unhealthy cravings, and unlock your kids' true potential.

Discover why screen addiction is the new smoking epidemic and how to take control now. Plus, get age-specific advice on fostering lifelong fitness and nutrition habits that work for every stage of childhood.

Don’t miss this episode if you want to build a healthier, stronger future for your family!

Timestamps:

00:47 Introduction to Amelia Phillips
01:34 Kids' nutrition and finding the balance
04:46 The addictive nature of phones
08:38 Quick nutrition tips for various ages
14:16 The challenge of kids' meals in restaurants
14:47 Encouraging fitness and movement in kids
18:07 Screen addiction and boundaries for screen time
21:09 Modeling healthy behaviors as parents
22:27 Using technology to encourage positive habits
23:36 Addictive products and personal responsibility
25:39 How to build impactful family habits

In this episode, Dr. Mike Wasilisin, a renowned movement expert, reveals the secrets to overcoming pain and achieving peak performance.

Hear about his proven methodology that empowers you to take control of your body and break free from the limitations of the healthcare system. Learn the transformative power of core breathing, glute activation, and proper alignment to reclaim your health and smash through any obstacle.

Whether you're an elite athlete or simply seeking to live pain-free, this episode is a masterclass that will change the way you approach movement and wellness. Get ready to unlock your true potential and take back your life!

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Meet Dr. Mike Wasilisin
01:31 The right way to handle pain
03:27 Dr. Mike’s career journey
04:48 Building a movement methodology
07:41 How to alleviate back pain
10:46 Pain is the perfect motivator
12:11 The hard way vs. easy fixes
13:23 Most common causes of back pain
17:42 Core breathing as a natural pain reliever
23:06 Recap: glutes, core, and breath
25:41How to connect with Dr. Mike

Follow Dr Mike:

Instagram: @moveumike
LinkedIn: in/dr-mike-wasilisin-4a661915
Website: https://moveu.com

In this episode, Joe De Sena is talking with Rob and Alex, the authors of Warrior to Civilian, on the challenges veterans face after service.

They discuss a hidden veteran suicide crisis and why so many veterans struggle, how we can help them thrive, and the real steps for a successful transition.

Rob and Alex reveal the often-overlooked difficulties of reintegration, the importance of mentorship, and the complex system of VA benefits. They also offer practical advice designed to equip veterans, families, and civilians alike with tools to support and empower our nation’s heroes.

Whether you’re a veteran or simply want to help, this episode offers eye-opening insights and actionable solutions to help our veterans transition successfully into civilian life.

Highlights:

00:47 Transitioning from military to civilian life
02:31 Preparing for civilian integration and finding a purpose
03:59 Recognizing the need for early preparation for veterans
05:19 Veteran suicides and the urgency of support systems
09:38 Mentorship and non-profits with veteran initiative
11:19 How civilians can support veterans’ reintegration
13:39 Ideas for creating veteran events at Spartan races
19:09 The book Warrior to Civilian and its target audience
21:28 Nothing worthwhile is easy
23:21 Message of resilience and hope for veterans

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Get the Book Now! | Warrior to Civilian:

https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Civilian-Field-Manual-Journey/dp/1538769964

Join a powerful journey of resilience as our guest Jeff Harmon shares his inspiring story of battling a rare, life-changing condition and pushing past every limit to live life fully.

From overcoming fear and embracing Spartan challenges to the ultimate goal of climbing Kilimanjaro, Jeff shows what it means to face adversity head-on, find strength in the struggle, and inspire others to do the same.

Discover how taking calculated risks and breaking through personal barriers can transform not just a single life, but everyone around it. Prepare to be moved, motivated, and ready to conquer your own challenges!

Highlights:

00:33 What it means to feel fully alive
02:47 Calculated risks and personal growth
03:42 Jeff’s journey with adrenomyeloneuropathy
05:41 The resilience of the human spirit
07:35 Being in a wheelchair and moving beyond sympathy
10:15 Advice for those not living life to the fullest
12:33 My Impossible Foundation and Kilimanjaro journey
15:12 - The importance of embracing life’s process
16:56 Jeff’s unexpected journey to Kilimanjaro
19:39 Dealing with self-doubt and feeling like a fraud
22:13 Believing in your story and sharing it
24:41 The power of listening deeply to others

In this episode, Mario Kalpou from Man Eats Wild brings you into the world of primal living and real food.

Joe De Sena and Mario dive deep into why modern life has made us lose touch with what really matters, like knowing where our food comes from and learning the skills to survive in the wild. They share stories of hunting, foraging, and reconnecting with nature to fuel the body with real, nutrient-dense food.

From alligator hunting in Florida to sourcing food without relying on grocery stores, they show how ancestral living can build strength and resilience. If you’re curious about the power of going back to basics and challenging the comforts of the modern world, tune in now!

Highlights:

00:00 Intro
00:47 The inspiration behind "Man Eats Wild"
02:20 Alligator hunting & dangerous liver toxicity
03:43 Is eating liver healthy?
04:57 Taking high-net-worth individuals on adventures
06:06 Teaching basic survival skills to kids
07:32 The Importance of struggle & exercise
09:43 Nutritional challenges in the U.S. vs. Europe
11:19 Food industry & RFK’s Perspective
13:07 Health legislation and freedom debate
15:25 Growing up to be a man in the wild
16:52 Living a natural lifestyle vs. modern influences
19:03 The role of exercise in daily life
20:09 Joe’s Training routines over the years
22:01 Where to Watch "Man Eats Wild"