In this episode, Mark and Austin sit down with adaptive strongman James Spurgeon to talk strength, resilience, and mindset. James shares his powerful journey from military service to navigating personal challenges and finding purpose through fitness. The conversation dives into mental health, how physical strength builds mental toughness, and the adaptive techniques James uses to train and compete. They also explore nutrition, coaching, and how social media has helped James connect with and inspire a growing community. Throughout it all, James reminds listeners that limitations are often mental—and that joy and progress can be found at every stage of the fitness journey.

In this episode, we break down the real lessons comedy teaches you — usually the hard way. From figuring things out on stage to learning why discipline matters more than raw talent, we unpack what it actually takes to grow as a comedian.

We talk about pulling material from everyday life, the importance of connecting with an audience (otherwise it’s just public speaking with jokes), and why testing material in front of real humans is non-negotiable. We also touch on faith, mental health, and how comedy can be both a calling and a coping mechanism.

Plus, why every small opportunity should be treated like gold, why recording your sets is humbling but necessary, and how trial and error ends up being the best teacher you never asked for.

If you’ve ever learned in public, grown along the way, or laughed through the process — this one’s for you.

Episode Links:

MrJoelBeasley

Joelcomedy.com

Links:

White Oak Mountain Coffee

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Use code ROJO for 15% off of order

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Life with Rojo

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Picture a living room where the remote is missing, the Wi-Fi is glitchy, and someone just discovered a mystery drawer during a junk removal job. That’s the energy of this episode. We wade into family dynamics that spark both laughter and light-bulb moments, talk through the maze of parenting in a digital world, and swap stories from teaching and professional training that didn’t go according to the script. We dust off childhood memories that still quietly steer our grown-up choices, peek behind the curtain of the stuff people keep (and toss), and celebrate how showing up for our communities shapes who we’re becoming. Along the way, we reflect, recalibrate, and find humor tucked into the everyday like loose change in the couch. It’s all part of growing not just as people, but as podcasters, learning out loud one episode at a time

Links:

White Oak Mountain Coffee

whiteoakmountaincoffee.com

ROJO listeners can get 10% their order using code ROJO10 at checkout!
Holy Locust

Use code ROJO for 15% off of order

Facebook:

Life with Rojo

Instagram:

@lifewithrojo

TikTok:

@life.with.rojo

Youtube:

Life with Rojo