How Spartan unites staff through wellbeing and shared effort

Spartan, owner of the world-renowned Spartan, Tough Mudder, and DEKA brands, has launched a staff wellness campaign to bring together a geographically dispersed team and strengthen their connection through the power of movement.

Spanning multiple countries across Europe, the Spartan team found a way to unite in a pursuit of shared goals – both professional and personal – with Myzone heart rate monitors at its core.

Finding connection, anywhere in the world

“Our team of around 60 deliver some of the most iconic fitness races in the world, sharing a common goal to deliver exceptional experiences,” says Emily leRoux, regional director, DEKA International.

“To achieve this, we all recognise a need to work together as a team, no matter how far apart we are geographically. Being located across Europe can present challenges but we are a solutions-based group so sought to find a way we could all connect in a deeper, more meaningful way.”

Adding value to the Spartan community

The Spartan wellness campaign launched in January 2024 and set out to encourage every team member to ’move every day‘ in a way that suited their lifestyle.

Whether that meant lunchtime power walks or training and competing in ultra marathons, the mission was simple: move well, move often and support one another in the process.

Having enjoyed a strategic partnership with Myzone for five years, the Spartan team was very familiar with Myzone’s effort-based approach to encouraging movement. Staff recognised the value the product could bring to its community.

Consistency, encouragement, and reward

Each Spartan team member was issued with an MZ-Switch heart rate monitor, and they set up a WhatsApp group to provide a safe, supportive space where everyone could share their progress, celebrate wins and encourage one another to move and succeed.

“Myzone has been a game-changer for us,” Emily explains. “It’s created a level playing field where effort is the driver in recognition and reward.

“It doesn’t matter if someone is a high-performing athlete or simply striving to be more active, Myzone rewards each individual’s effort. It’s about consistency, encouragement and celebrating every step forward.”

How to motivate a broad staff demographic

The Spartan team includes elite athletes. Thomas Blanc recently placed 12th in the gruelling Marathon des Sables – alongside others who are newer to regular fitness routines. The campaign’s inclusivity has been key to its success.

Another team member, Amy Taylor, even completed a Park Run on her wedding day to make sure she hit her monthly Myzone Effort Points (MEPs) target, proudly sharing her achievement with the team in the WhatsApp group.

Sharing the journey – struggles and success

Monthly challenges help maintain momentum and motivation. Recent highlights include a UK versus Rest of the World MEPs challenge, which saw the UK team surge ahead thanks to several members completing the 2025 London Marathon.

“It’s incredible to see the team share not just their achievements, but their journeys – from the daily struggles to the big wins,” says Emily.

“This encourages a connection way beyond that which is possible based on pure professional interactions and, I believe, makes us a much stronger, more united collective.”

Integrating movement into the daily routine

At the heart of the campaign is a focus on long-term wellbeing. Spartan team members are encouraged to integrate movement into their daily routines, with no stigma attached to taking time away from the desk to move.

Achieving 1300 MEPs each month, the equivalent of meeting the WHO physical activity guidelines, earns individuals entry into a prize draw, reinforcing the value of consistent effort over time.

“Myzone and our WhatsApp community have helped bring our team together on a human level,” Emily reflects.

“It’s not about work, it’s about getting to know each other personally; supporting each other and realising that no matter where we are, we’re all there for each other to ensure the achievement of individual and common goals.”

While Myzone no longer officially sponsors individual Spartan races, the partnership between the two brands remains strong, with Myzone continuing to support the Spartan DEKA events and race-goer community.

This internal initiative showcases the enduring power of movement, community and connection – something the Spartan team now lives and breathes every single day.

Interested in obstacle course racing (OCR)? Take a look at this guide to your first Spartan race.