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What a Kentucky Derby Winner Taught Me

Friday 3 May 2024

Trip Guide News

Learn how exercise can improve your mental health.
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In today's edition, Joe shares:
  • One Thing Winners Know
  • Mental Health Tips
  • My #1 Training Advice
 
WINNING IS NOT AN ACCIDENT
Spartans!

Tomorrow is the Kentucky Derby, famously known as "the most exciting two minutes in sports."

It's hard to believe that in the time it takes to brush your teeth, the fate of the sport is decided that year.

To most, the Kentucky Derby is an exhilarating two-minute race. But for the horses, trainers, and jockeys involved, it's the culmination of years of discipline, strategy, and building an unyielding will to win. It's rigorous work. Yet most of us will only see two minutes of it.

I have a friend named Vinnie. We've broken bread together at Belmonte's in Brooklyn, visited with the NHL commissioner together, and sat with some Wall Street fixtures.

It's easy to look at Vinnie as the luckiest guy on earth. He's a billionaire businessman, U.S. Army veteran, and co-owner of the 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming.

But spending time with Vinnie taught me that winning is not an accident.

Vinnie's success wasn't handed to him. He grew up like a lot of us do. He was raised in Brooklyn, and his father was an immigrant from Italy who served in the U.S. Army.

Here's something that perennial winners like Vinnie know: hard work is a magnet for fortune. "My dad would always say, 'We were bred to work," Vinnie told me.

Just like the Kentucky Derby, years of hard work often boil down to brief, critical moments of opportunity. But in order to have a shot, you have to first be prepared to step into the arena.

People like Vinnie are mysterious to us. How do they win so much?

Year after year of hard work.

Here's to The Hard Way!

Joe
 
BOOST YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

It's estimated that more than 1 in 5 US adults live with mental illness. Physical activity can help. Research shows that people who exercise report having improved mood, sharper cognitive function, higher self-esteem, and less stress. Many of you in the Spartan community have told us that racing helps improve your PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Plus, getting outside has restorative benefits. Even a short walk around the block or through the park can boost your happiness and overall well-being.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and you can participate by lacing up your shoes and hitting the pavement. Invite someone to come along with you, because exercise is transformative for all of us.

Have a mental health story to share? Email Joe at thehardway@spartan.com.

 
You Ask, Joe Answers
Q: Hey Joe, Plain and simple — how do I train for a Spartan?
– Laura K.

A: Hey Laura, We have a ton of resources to get you started, like our app that has training programs tailored to your race type, or the free training blog on our website. But my personal favorite tip is this: lie to yourself. Tell yourself you'll hit the gym for a short workout. Once you get momentum (and you will), keep going. You'll end up accomplishing far more than you thought you were capable of. My last piece of advice is to make your goal known to others. Invite your friends to a workout or post on social media to keep yourself accountable.

Aroo!

Question for Joe? Want to tell him what you think of The Hard Way? Email him at thehardway@spartan.com.
 
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They Said It
"If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful after all."
Michelangelo
 
OUR LATEST
The Hard Way Podcast
"How do you sharpen the saw? Every single day. As a professional, how are you sharping the saw? How are you increasing the tools that you have in the toolbox?"
 
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