Get Off the X: A Navy SEAL on Pressure, Pain, and Action

Get Off the X: A Navy SEAL on Pressure, Pain, and Action

Author: Joe De Sena January 20, 2026 Duration: 23:03
Pressure doesn't ask if you're ready. It hits, and most people freeze. Retired Navy SEAL officer and combat leader Jason Redman talks with Joe De Sena about Hell Week, Ranger School, combat failure, recovery, and the rule of getting off the X. They break down why thinking too long gets you stuck, why quitting in the moment is a mistake, and how discipline is built by moving first and fixing it later. The takeaway is direct: act under pressure, own the outcome, and build resilience through discomfort, not comfort.
 
Things You Will Learn:
  1. How to act when pressure hits
  2. Why hesitation keeps you stuck
  3. How discipline is built through movement
 
Tools & Frameworks Covered:
  1. Get Off the X: act before conditions improve
  2. Never Quit in the Moment: avoid bad decisions under stress
  3. Awareness–Preparation–Action: stay effective when plans fail
 
If this episode hit, don't sit on it. Get off the X. Take action. Subscribe to the podcast. Follow for more hard rules. Check Spartan races, books, and resources at Spartan.com. Own the work.
 
Jason Redman is a former U.S. Navy SEAL whose life was transformed by combat injury and near-death experience, turning that hardship into a powerful message of resilience, leadership, and human potential. After being severely wounded in Iraq and undergoing dozens of surgeries, he authored bestselling books and built a career speaking and coaching on overcoming adversity, teamwork, and mindset. His core themes: "get off the X" (moving from crisis to action), leadership under pressure, and the belief that greatness is within you regardless of circumstance.
 

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
Life After Service: Discipline When Orders Are Gone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:56
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Michael Wardian: Turning Suffering Into World Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Mental toughness doesn't come from motivation—it comes from choosing discomfort on purpose. In this episode, endurance legend Michael Wardian, elite ultra-runner and Senior Olympics competitor, breaks down the daily disc…
The Choice That Built a Bomb‑Suit Warrior Mindset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:18
She grew up with no roadmap, no support, and no clear path forward. One pull-up changed everything, leading her into the Army and a career in explosive ordnance disposal. Twelve years later, Kaitlyn Hernandez built a lif…
How a Navy SEAL Rebuilt Discipline and Control After Service [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:50
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