Brotherhood and Grit Forged in Combat

Brotherhood and Grit Forged in Combat

Author: Joe De Sena September 30, 2025 Duration: 22:30
Ryan Pitts didn't quit when it mattered most.
Outnumbered, wounded, and under relentless fire, this Medal of Honor recipient kept fighting.
Ryan shares what combat taught him about grit, why brotherhood beats fear, and how to build real toughness in life outside the battlefield. Raw lessons on resilience, sacrifice, leadership, and mental strength, straight from someone who's lived it.
No excuses. Listen, learn, and get tougher.
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:25 Meet Ryan, Medal of Honor recipient
01:48 Growing up in New England
02:47 Joining military service
03:56 Enlisting at age 17
04:20 Early Army struggles
04:55 The crucial battle in Afghanistan
06:38 Wounded under heavy fire
08:47 Training instincts kick in
10:58 Incredible acts of heroism
12:32 Challenges of coming home
14:49 Mental health culture shift
16:01 Medal of Honor explained
18:36 Life after military service
19:54 Hard things worth doing
20:49 Coaching kids and values
21:24 Contact details shared
21:30 Upcoming Spartan races
22:09 Closing final notes
 
Connect to Ryan:

Joe De Sena, the founder of Spartan Race and a New York Times best-selling author, believes the most rewarding path is rarely the easy one. In his The Hard Way With Joe De Sena podcast, that philosophy comes to life through raw, unscripted conversations. Joe travels the globe, sitting down with a diverse array of guests-from elite athletes and pioneering entrepreneurs to acclaimed authors and visionary CEOs-to dig for the unvarnished truths about resilience and achievement. These aren't just interviews; they're deep dives into the mental frameworks and physical disciplines that define a Spartan mindset. You'll hear stories that challenge conventional wisdom, practical advice forged through real struggle, and surprising moments of humor that come from shared experience. Each episode is designed to provide tangible tools for improving your health, fitness, and overall approach to life's obstacles. By bringing together this panel of extraordinary thinkers and doers, the podcast creates a unique space where the secrets to success in business, wellness, and personal growth are examined without shortcuts. Tune in for a dose of motivation that’s as actionable as it is inspiring.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Hard Way With Joe De Sena
Podcast Episodes
Lost His Legs, Found His Strength: A Blueprint for Resilience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:31
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with a Marine veteran, Rob Jones, who lost both legs to an IED—but didn't lose his drive, purpose, or grit. Instead, he came back stronger, running 31 marathons in 31 days, winning…
Ran 50 Marathons in 50 Days—Here's How He Stays Fit at 60+ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:16
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Dean Karnazes, one of the world's most relentless endurance athletes. Dean is an ultra-marathoner and is still competing hard at 60+. From a spontaneous 30-mile run sparked by…
Kidnapped in Somalia: 93 Days to Survive or Die [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:43
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Jessica Buchanan, a humanitarian worker who was kidnapped in Somalia and held hostage for 93 harrowing days. With no weapons, no training, and no escape in sight, Jessica relie…
This Is Where Real Growth Happens (And Why You're Avoiding It) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:40
In this episode, Joe De Sena talks with strength coach and entrepreneur Chris Duffin about what it really takes to become mentally and physically unbreakable. Chris shares his powerful 6-phase framework for personal grow…
Adopt the "Never Zero" Mindset & Be the Man Who Never Quits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:31
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with CrossFit Games champion and Train Hard founder Jason Khalipa to explore what it really means to build grit, discipline, and lasting strength in a world that's getting softer by…
Raise Girls Who Lead, Fight, and Never Flinch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:13
What does it really take to raise strong, confident girls in today's world? In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Cesalina Gracie – Mount Everest climber, self-defense expert, and member of the iconic Gracie Jiu Ji…
Samurai Wisdom for a Modern Warrior's Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:15
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with James Pieratt—a man who turned a past of heroin addiction and prison into a life of discipline, grit, and ultra-endurance. Now, he's gearing up to run 1,000 miles along the Cal…
The Man Who Laughs in the Face of Impossible! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:21
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with one of the most unstoppable humans on the planet—a former Gurkha and UK Special Forces operator, Nims Purja, who walked away from a military pension to chase a dream the world…
Break Free from the Code Controlling You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:58
In this episode, Norman Wolfe reveals the hidden "psychic DNA" that silently drives your decisions, relationships, and business outcomes. Once you understand it—you can rewrite it. Learn to rewrite the internal stories h…
No Excuses: Quadruple Amputee Kyle Maynard's Extreme Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:30
What happens when a man with no arms and no legs decides to bear crawl to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro? Meet Kyle Maynard—quadruple amputee, extreme athlete, ESPY Award winner, and living proof that no excuse is ever big…