Joe DeSena, Founder of the Reebok Spartan Race, Talks Food & Fitness

As well as discussing the Reebok Spartan Race and his new book Spartan Up, we talked about a bunch of other things too. If you ever wanted to know what his fitness regime was like or his life values, read on. Warning: he tells it like it is.

What do you say to people who don’t have time for exercise?

That’s bullshit. You always have time to keep your fitness. If you can’t keep fit, you’re dead.

I wake every morning and do 300 burpees. If I go fast, it takes about 17 – 18 minutes, but otherwise around 30 minutes. I’m actually short today, by about 125 so I’m thinking how I can fit them in. If I have the time, I’ll do a 1-3 mile run. I try and get a 10-15 mile run in once a week.

So we’ve discussed fitness, but what about nutrition. What does the man who does all this exercise eat?

I’m just as addicted to junk as everyone else is but I’m also interested in plant-based nutrition. I try to drink water and stay away from coffee unless I need it so that’s about 2 cups a month. I’m 65% fruit and veg, 20% potatoes or rice (the only carbs I eat) and maybe 10% fish or eat and whatever’s left in fats. I love avocado.

Give us an idea of what you eat each day

I used to eat an enormous amount of bread, pizza and pasta (my mum was Italian) and after I found out it was making my stomach upset, I didn’t even miss it.

But first of all, let me just say, you don’t need salt on everything. Although sea salt’s ok every now and again – you can even put it on your toothbrush – it’s got all the best minerals you need. But keep it off food.

What I eat varies so much, I’ll give you a list of my favourite things instead – arugla (rocket) salad I love. I’m also a big green juice guy. I love veggies, especially raw broccoli, some sweet potatoes maybe. Brown rice is great, and I love Jasmine rice! Every now and again, I’ll have eggs over easy with some potatoes.

And your biggest weakness?

Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream. I’ll eat about a tub a month.

What about an alcoholic beverage every now and again?

I don’t drink. I just don’t like the taste. Although I was in the Czech Republic and I ordered red wine (I know I like that the most) and it was wonderful.

Whats your motivation for living a healthy lifestyle?

I have so much more fun. I get shit done – you can spend your whole life not getting stuff done, who wants that? Eating right makes me feel good. I don’t do well with lazy – go to that side of the planet.

 

Take a read of Joe DeSena’s book, Spartan Up for more information about how to workout and eat like a Spartan. His mission through the races is to change lives and this book is just the start to changing people’s mindsets about facing obstacles and becoming more healthy.