It's Never Too Late to Test Your Limits with Gwendolyn Bounds

It's Never Too Late to Test Your Limits with Gwendolyn Bounds

Author: Joe De Sena June 11, 2024 Duration: 30:22

Tired of feeling stuck in a rut? Discover how taking on new challenges can make you feel alive again at any age.
 
In this empowering episode, Gwendolyn Bounds shares how she conquered self-doubt and found her inner athlete later in life. She discusses her transformation from a sedentary to a competitive obstacle course racer through grit and community support.

Gwendolyn Bounds is an award-winning journalist and author whose career spans media brands including The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Consumer Reports, CNBC, SmartNews, and more.

Her latest book "NOT TOO LATE: The Power of Pushing Limits at Any Age" captures the mental and physical benefits of pursuing something hard that you love – a starkly different prescription for wellbeing in a world filled with hacks and shortcuts to find happiness and good health. 

Anchoring Gwendolyn's book is the story of her own midlife evolution from an unathletic desk-bound news executive glued to her screens into an age-group medalist and world championship competitor in the daunting sport of obstacle course racing. 

In NOT TOO LATE, Gwendolyn offers a roadmap for action and realistic change that anyone can use to tap inner reserves, face fear, and push boundaries. You can find Gwendolyn on social media and sign up for her newsletter at gwendolynbounds.com.

Highlights:

00:00 Intro
01:02 The power of pushing limits at any age
02:46 It's never too late for sports or Spartan race
07:01 Lessons from the obstacle course racing
10:40 Helping people to get moving after the pandemic
17:12 The Death Race in Vermont
18:15 How can people find Gwendolyn
20:09 How to get started and Not Yet mentality
24:16 The joy of pushing yourself beyond your limits
28:39 Life is about small choices


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
The Hardest Climb Ever: 19 Days on the Dawn Wall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:14
What kind of mindset does it take to train 7 years for one climb? Tommy Caldwell did exactly that before finally conquering the Dawn Wall in a 19-day climb that changed the sport forever. He also survived a kidnapping in…
The Hammer Method: Simple System for Unstoppable Discipline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:41
What would it take to hit ONE MILLION push-ups? Kevin Cullum did it! Not by chasing world records, but by proving the power of consistency, grit, and accountability. In this episode, he shares his Hammer Method for setti…
Recover Faster, Perform Stronger: Sleep the Spartan Way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:13
Most athletes lose their edge because they don't recover right. The mattress innovator Jack Dell'Accio reveals breaks down why deep sleep and REM sleep drive peak performance, how pros are using sleep recovery hacks to g…
How One Officer Turns Showers Into Second Chances [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:53
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Matt Prouty, a police officer showing what real community leadership looks like. When Matt Prouty saw addiction and homelessness destroying his community, he didn't wait for po…
From Mormon Mission to Hell Week: How Gus Built Unshakable Grit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:34
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Navy SEAL veteran Gus Gustavson for an unforgettable look at what it truly takes to build unshakable grit. From a small-town upbringing and a Mormon mission in Brazil to surviv…
Born Without Arms, Living Without Limits | Jessica Cox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:51
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Jessica Cox, a woman born without arms, yet a licensed pilot, black belt in Taekwondo, and living proof that limits are self-imposed. Together, they explore how hardship builds…
From Chaos to Clarity: Own Your Mind, Lead Your Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:39
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with performance coach and father of five, Joe Greco, to talk about what it really takes to build grit in your kids, your career, and yourself. From Spartan-style parenting to leadi…
How an Ironman Mom Wins When Most People Quit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:47
In this episode, Joe De Sena talks with Ironman World Champion Chelsea Sodaro about how to stay driven, balanced, and resilient as a high-achiever and mom. She opens up about the challenges of returning to elite sport af…
Why Pain Is a Privilege: Lessons from a Wounded Warrior [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
He lost an arm and a leg in war and came back stronger than ever. In this raw conversation, veteran and athlete Noah Galloway shares how pain became his fuel, purpose became his compass, and fitness saved his life. From…
This Teen Takes on Brutal Swim to Prove Struggle Heals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:32
What happens when a 17-year-old signs up to swim 34km across freezing water—no wetsuit, no excuses—all to raise awareness for men's mental health? In this raw, high-impact episode, Barney Ryder joins Joe De Sena to share…