Plus, how you can become one.
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 | | In today's edition, Joe shares: - Celebrating Spartan Women
- 5 Forearm Exercises
- Advice For First-Time Leaders
| | | | Spartans!
Every year, I watch young warriors arrive at Camp Spartan thinking they know what tough is. Most of them haven't experienced extreme discipline or hardship. But by the time they leave, they've redefined who they are.
One camper, Emma, was just 13 when she faced the brutal two-week camp on our farm in Vermont.
One morning, around 4:00 AM, Emma arrived at base camp to discover half the kids weren't there.
That meant penalties. Specifically, a march to the Tweed River for an icy dip, followed by carrying rocks heavier than some of the campers up to Shrek's Cabin.
Most kids would have broken down. Some quit. But Emma? She adapted.
Years later, she would write this in her college admissions essay:
Exhaustion hit from every angle, but I emerged stronger than ever. I realized that when I thought I couldn't do one more burpee or submerge in the icy water again—I did. When everyone around me caved from the pain, I persevered and stood tall. I refused to quit, even when others refused to keep going.
That's what sets Emma apart. She didn't just survive Camp Spartan—she thrived. She found joy in the struggle. The camp became more than just physical hardship—it became a metaphor for life.
Emma returned to camp as a counselor, helping others find their own strength, and showing them that what they think is impossible is just a step away from becoming reality.
On this International Women's Day weekend, we celebrate women like Emma—women who lead, who persevere, who show us that strength isn't just about muscle. It's about mindset.
If you want to be more like Emma: - Refuse to quit: When everything tells you to sit down and shut up, stand tall. Know you're on the path to greatness.
- Embrace obstacles: They're not there to stop us. They're there to show us how strong we really are.
- Help others: None of us walk this journey alone. Help inspire others to be their best selves and lead by example.
Here's to the hard way,
Joe | | | 5 Forearm Exercises to Try | Running and core training are great, but grip strength is the secret weapon to dominating Spartan's obstacles. You can read more on technique, variations, and obstacles tips here. - Dumbbell wrist curl
- Farmer's carry
- Pinch grip transfer
- Grip clench
- Finger extension
| | | You Ask, Joe Answers | Q: Hey Joe, I'm taking on a new challenge off the Spartan fields—I'm going to coach an adult baseball team. I have no prior coaching experience, what advice can you give me on being a first-time coach?
- Gary D.
A: Hey Gary, Stay adaptable. Nothing ever goes according to plan—but you'll need to keep pushing forward. Some of my favorite coaches and mentors have a similar quality: they show extreme accountability. Take ownership of the team, win or lose. When you lead by example, your team will follow.
Aroo!
Question for Joe? Want to tell him what you think of The Hard Way? Email him at thehardway@spartan.com. | | | | They Said It | | "The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it." | | – Jordan Belfort | | | The Hard Way Podcast | | | "Giving up is a learned thing, because we are born resilient beings."
-Rafael Andrade | | | | | | To keep receiving this newsletter, sign up here. | | | WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS NEWSLETTER? | | | | | |
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