Mental Toughness: Thrive Under Pressure

Written by Marcus Smith
Rob Jones
Rob Jones
Mar 4, 2025
-
5
Mainline Class
Specialty Class
Endurance
Ladies Run Club
Daily Workout 25-34

Monday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 4 - AMRAP set of Dips + 10 DB RDL @30X1

Conditioning:

2 Rounds

6 Min AMRAP

8 Renegade Row

8 Dumbbell Deadlift

16/12 cal Ass bike

rest 2 mins

6 Min AMRAP

12 Dumbbell Box Step Over

12 Push Ups on Dumbbells

rest 2 mins

Tuesday:

Strength:

A) Every 2 mins x 5 - 3 Back Squat

B) 9 min Window to Establish a 3 rep Max Back Squat

C) Every 90 sec x 6 - 6/6 Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat

Conditioning:

For time

1000m C2 bike

Olivara run

50 wall balls

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 90 sec x 8 Alt Between

1 - 3-5 Chin Ups

2 - 6 Pendlay Row

Conditioning:

Every 5 minutes, Alternate Between Completing for 3 rounds:

A) 400/320m ski + 10 pull ups + 12 burpees

B) 5 wall walks + 30 V-Ups + 60 DU

Thursday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins, 5 Total Rounds

A) 6 Seated Shoulder Press + 4-8 Strict Knees to Elbow

B) 10 Hip Dips Per Side +  5/5 Heavy DB Box Step Ups

C) 30 Sec Arch Hold + 20 sec Overhead KB March

Conditioning:

For time:

500m Row

Rest 3 Mins

500m Row

Friday:

Strength:

A) Every 90 sec x 6 - 2 2 2 1 1 1 Power Cleans

B) 7 Mins to establish a 1 rep max

C) FOR TIME - 30 Power cleans

Conditioning:

20 Min AMRAP with a partner!

12 Sand Bags Clean complex (complex = 2 alt sandbag to shoulder) 2 front squat)

24 Toes To Bar

4 Length Reverse Sled Drag

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #25-34

GYMNASTICS

This Tuesday, we’re working on L-sit and V-sit holds as well as toes-to-bar! We’ll start with L and V-sits to work on body awareness and control, core strength and stability, while also enhancing upper body and hip flexor strength. After that, we’ll move on to toes to bar progressions.

HYBRID FITNESS

This week's hybrid session focuses on lower-body endurance, followed by erg and run capacity.

MOBILITY

Mobility for Shoulder & Hip Relief Release. Realign. Restore.

This targeted mobility class is designed to help relieve shoulder discomfort and hip impingement through gentle, intentional movement. Whether you’re recovering from overuse, managing chronic tension, or just seeking better joint function, this session will guide you through techniques to restore range of motion, reduce pain, and improve overall mobility.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week, in weightlifting, we will focus on the squat snatch. Getting comfortable in the squat position with weight overhead.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #25-34

The Monday Ride

Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com

Time: 05:59 am

Session Length: 1 hour

Location: The Loop Cafe, Nad al Sheeba

Track Tuesday

Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.

Time: 05:59 am

Session Length: 1 hour

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Wednesday - Indoor Ride

Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com

Thursday - Endurance Strength

A strength class focused on key movements for endurance athletes to help avoid injury, build speed and develop strength.

Time: 06:30am

Location: This is a paid class session at InnerFight HQ. If you're interested to join, email winning@innerfight.com

Friday - Coffee Run

Our weekly tempo run.  Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.

Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time
: 05:59 am

Start Location: Common Grounds

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Ladies Run Club 25-34

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Fartlek Session

We are back! And we would love to welcome you to run with us. We will be running a fartlek session today, which means "speedplay" in Swedish. This means that we will sequence between running some faster and slower intervals. In doing so, it will help you become a faster runner and more intune with your running RPE and running IQ.

Tuesday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Session: Track Tuesday

This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Come ready to run fast and have fun with some 800s which vary in pace over 200m increments.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Intervals

Today we will be running 100m efforts.
Main Set
100s efforts

4x
100m HARD
100m WALK
2 mins drink break
REPEAT

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds

Session: The Coffee Run

Come and run easy or take part in our Tempo Run on the beach track.
Warm up:
5mins easy as a group
5mins building up the pace

Main Set:
2x
7mins @ 6/10; 2mins recovery
2x
6mins @ 7/10; 2mins recovery
2x
5mins @ 8/10; 2mins recovery

Sunday

Time: 5:29am

Location: Common Grounds

Session: Long Run

There are two options for your long run today,

Option 1:
Out and back route towards the canal path (as long as required)

Option 2:
Easy with kickers (92mins):
10mins easy
then,
6 x 10mins @ 5/10; 2mins @ 8/10
10mins v. easy to finish

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Mainline Class
Specialty Class
Endurance
Ladies Run Club
Daily Workout 25-34

Monday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 4 - AMRAP set of Dips + 10 DB RDL @30X1

Conditioning:

2 Rounds

6 Min AMRAP

8 Renegade Row

8 Dumbbell Deadlift

16/12 cal Ass bike

rest 2 mins

6 Min AMRAP

12 Dumbbell Box Step Over

12 Push Ups on Dumbbells

rest 2 mins

Tuesday:

Strength:

A) Every 2 mins x 5 - 3 Back Squat

B) 9 min Window to Establish a 3 rep Max Back Squat

C) Every 90 sec x 6 - 6/6 Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat

Conditioning:

For time

1000m C2 bike

Olivara run

50 wall balls

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 90 sec x 8 Alt Between

1 - 3-5 Chin Ups

2 - 6 Pendlay Row

Conditioning:

Every 5 minutes, Alternate Between Completing for 3 rounds:

A) 400/320m ski + 10 pull ups + 12 burpees

B) 5 wall walks + 30 V-Ups + 60 DU

Thursday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins, 5 Total Rounds

A) 6 Seated Shoulder Press + 4-8 Strict Knees to Elbow

B) 10 Hip Dips Per Side +  5/5 Heavy DB Box Step Ups

C) 30 Sec Arch Hold + 20 sec Overhead KB March

Conditioning:

For time:

500m Row

Rest 3 Mins

500m Row

Friday:

Strength:

A) Every 90 sec x 6 - 2 2 2 1 1 1 Power Cleans

B) 7 Mins to establish a 1 rep max

C) FOR TIME - 30 Power cleans

Conditioning:

20 Min AMRAP with a partner!

12 Sand Bags Clean complex (complex = 2 alt sandbag to shoulder) 2 front squat)

24 Toes To Bar

4 Length Reverse Sled Drag

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #25-34

GYMNASTICS

This Tuesday, we’re working on L-sit and V-sit holds as well as toes-to-bar! We’ll start with L and V-sits to work on body awareness and control, core strength and stability, while also enhancing upper body and hip flexor strength. After that, we’ll move on to toes to bar progressions.

HYBRID FITNESS

This week's hybrid session focuses on lower-body endurance, followed by erg and run capacity.

MOBILITY

Mobility for Shoulder & Hip Relief Release. Realign. Restore.

This targeted mobility class is designed to help relieve shoulder discomfort and hip impingement through gentle, intentional movement. Whether you’re recovering from overuse, managing chronic tension, or just seeking better joint function, this session will guide you through techniques to restore range of motion, reduce pain, and improve overall mobility.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week, in weightlifting, we will focus on the squat snatch. Getting comfortable in the squat position with weight overhead.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #25-34

The Monday Ride

Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com

Time: 05:59 am

Session Length: 1 hour

Location: The Loop Cafe, Nad al Sheeba

Track Tuesday

Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.

Time: 05:59 am

Session Length: 1 hour

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Wednesday - Indoor Ride

Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com

Thursday - Endurance Strength

A strength class focused on key movements for endurance athletes to help avoid injury, build speed and develop strength.

Time: 06:30am

Location: This is a paid class session at InnerFight HQ. If you're interested to join, email winning@innerfight.com

Friday - Coffee Run

Our weekly tempo run.  Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.

Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time
: 05:59 am

Start Location: Common Grounds

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Ladies Run Club 25-34

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Fartlek Session

We are back! And we would love to welcome you to run with us. We will be running a fartlek session today, which means "speedplay" in Swedish. This means that we will sequence between running some faster and slower intervals. In doing so, it will help you become a faster runner and more intune with your running RPE and running IQ.

Tuesday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Session: Track Tuesday

This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Come ready to run fast and have fun with some 800s which vary in pace over 200m increments.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Intervals

Today we will be running 100m efforts.
Main Set
100s efforts

4x
100m HARD
100m WALK
2 mins drink break
REPEAT

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds

Session: The Coffee Run

Come and run easy or take part in our Tempo Run on the beach track.
Warm up:
5mins easy as a group
5mins building up the pace

Main Set:
2x
7mins @ 6/10; 2mins recovery
2x
6mins @ 7/10; 2mins recovery
2x
5mins @ 8/10; 2mins recovery

Sunday

Time: 5:29am

Location: Common Grounds

Session: Long Run

There are two options for your long run today,

Option 1:
Out and back route towards the canal path (as long as required)

Option 2:
Easy with kickers (92mins):
10mins easy
then,
6 x 10mins @ 5/10; 2mins @ 8/10
10mins v. easy to finish

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Mainline Class
Specialty Class
Endurance
Ladies Run Club
Daily Workout 25-34

Monday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 4 - AMRAP set of Dips + 10 DB RDL @30X1

Conditioning:

2 Rounds

6 Min AMRAP

8 Renegade Row

8 Dumbbell Deadlift

16/12 cal Ass bike

rest 2 mins

6 Min AMRAP

12 Dumbbell Box Step Over

12 Push Ups on Dumbbells

rest 2 mins

Tuesday:

Strength:

A) Every 2 mins x 5 - 3 Back Squat

B) 9 min Window to Establish a 3 rep Max Back Squat

C) Every 90 sec x 6 - 6/6 Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat

Conditioning:

For time

1000m C2 bike

Olivara run

50 wall balls

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 90 sec x 8 Alt Between

1 - 3-5 Chin Ups

2 - 6 Pendlay Row

Conditioning:

Every 5 minutes, Alternate Between Completing for 3 rounds:

A) 400/320m ski + 10 pull ups + 12 burpees

B) 5 wall walks + 30 V-Ups + 60 DU

Thursday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins, 5 Total Rounds

A) 6 Seated Shoulder Press + 4-8 Strict Knees to Elbow

B) 10 Hip Dips Per Side +  5/5 Heavy DB Box Step Ups

C) 30 Sec Arch Hold + 20 sec Overhead KB March

Conditioning:

For time:

500m Row

Rest 3 Mins

500m Row

Friday:

Strength:

A) Every 90 sec x 6 - 2 2 2 1 1 1 Power Cleans

B) 7 Mins to establish a 1 rep max

C) FOR TIME - 30 Power cleans

Conditioning:

20 Min AMRAP with a partner!

12 Sand Bags Clean complex (complex = 2 alt sandbag to shoulder) 2 front squat)

24 Toes To Bar

4 Length Reverse Sled Drag

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #25-34

GYMNASTICS

This Tuesday, we’re working on L-sit and V-sit holds as well as toes-to-bar! We’ll start with L and V-sits to work on body awareness and control, core strength and stability, while also enhancing upper body and hip flexor strength. After that, we’ll move on to toes to bar progressions.

HYBRID FITNESS

This week's hybrid session focuses on lower-body endurance, followed by erg and run capacity.

MOBILITY

Mobility for Shoulder & Hip Relief Release. Realign. Restore.

This targeted mobility class is designed to help relieve shoulder discomfort and hip impingement through gentle, intentional movement. Whether you’re recovering from overuse, managing chronic tension, or just seeking better joint function, this session will guide you through techniques to restore range of motion, reduce pain, and improve overall mobility.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week, in weightlifting, we will focus on the squat snatch. Getting comfortable in the squat position with weight overhead.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #25-34

The Monday Ride

Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com

Time: 05:59 am

Session Length: 1 hour

Location: The Loop Cafe, Nad al Sheeba

Track Tuesday

Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.

Time: 05:59 am

Session Length: 1 hour

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Wednesday - Indoor Ride

Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com

Thursday - Endurance Strength

A strength class focused on key movements for endurance athletes to help avoid injury, build speed and develop strength.

Time: 06:30am

Location: This is a paid class session at InnerFight HQ. If you're interested to join, email winning@innerfight.com

Friday - Coffee Run

Our weekly tempo run.  Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.

Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time
: 05:59 am

Start Location: Common Grounds

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Ladies Run Club 25-34

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Fartlek Session

We are back! And we would love to welcome you to run with us. We will be running a fartlek session today, which means "speedplay" in Swedish. This means that we will sequence between running some faster and slower intervals. In doing so, it will help you become a faster runner and more intune with your running RPE and running IQ.

Tuesday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Session: Track Tuesday

This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Come ready to run fast and have fun with some 800s which vary in pace over 200m increments.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Intervals

Today we will be running 100m efforts.
Main Set
100s efforts

4x
100m HARD
100m WALK
2 mins drink break
REPEAT

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds

Session: The Coffee Run

Come and run easy or take part in our Tempo Run on the beach track.
Warm up:
5mins easy as a group
5mins building up the pace

Main Set:
2x
7mins @ 6/10; 2mins recovery
2x
6mins @ 7/10; 2mins recovery
2x
5mins @ 8/10; 2mins recovery

Sunday

Time: 5:29am

Location: Common Grounds

Session: Long Run

There are two options for your long run today,

Option 1:
Out and back route towards the canal path (as long as required)

Option 2:
Easy with kickers (92mins):
10mins easy
then,
6 x 10mins @ 5/10; 2mins @ 8/10
10mins v. easy to finish

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Mainline Class
Specialty Class
Endurance
Ladies Run Club
Daily Workout 25-34

Monday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 4 - AMRAP set of Dips + 10 DB RDL @30X1

Conditioning:

2 Rounds

6 Min AMRAP

8 Renegade Row

8 Dumbbell Deadlift

16/12 cal Ass bike

rest 2 mins

6 Min AMRAP

12 Dumbbell Box Step Over

12 Push Ups on Dumbbells

rest 2 mins

Tuesday:

Strength:

A) Every 2 mins x 5 - 3 Back Squat

B) 9 min Window to Establish a 3 rep Max Back Squat

C) Every 90 sec x 6 - 6/6 Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat

Conditioning:

For time

1000m C2 bike

Olivara run

50 wall balls

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 90 sec x 8 Alt Between

1 - 3-5 Chin Ups

2 - 6 Pendlay Row

Conditioning:

Every 5 minutes, Alternate Between Completing for 3 rounds:

A) 400/320m ski + 10 pull ups + 12 burpees

B) 5 wall walks + 30 V-Ups + 60 DU

Thursday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins, 5 Total Rounds

A) 6 Seated Shoulder Press + 4-8 Strict Knees to Elbow

B) 10 Hip Dips Per Side +  5/5 Heavy DB Box Step Ups

C) 30 Sec Arch Hold + 20 sec Overhead KB March

Conditioning:

For time:

500m Row

Rest 3 Mins

500m Row

Friday:

Strength:

A) Every 90 sec x 6 - 2 2 2 1 1 1 Power Cleans

B) 7 Mins to establish a 1 rep max

C) FOR TIME - 30 Power cleans

Conditioning:

20 Min AMRAP with a partner!

12 Sand Bags Clean complex (complex = 2 alt sandbag to shoulder) 2 front squat)

24 Toes To Bar

4 Length Reverse Sled Drag

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #25-34

GYMNASTICS

This Tuesday, we’re working on L-sit and V-sit holds as well as toes-to-bar! We’ll start with L and V-sits to work on body awareness and control, core strength and stability, while also enhancing upper body and hip flexor strength. After that, we’ll move on to toes to bar progressions.

HYBRID FITNESS

This week's hybrid session focuses on lower-body endurance, followed by erg and run capacity.

MOBILITY

Mobility for Shoulder & Hip Relief Release. Realign. Restore.

This targeted mobility class is designed to help relieve shoulder discomfort and hip impingement through gentle, intentional movement. Whether you’re recovering from overuse, managing chronic tension, or just seeking better joint function, this session will guide you through techniques to restore range of motion, reduce pain, and improve overall mobility.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week, in weightlifting, we will focus on the squat snatch. Getting comfortable in the squat position with weight overhead.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #25-34

The Monday Ride

Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com

Time: 05:59 am

Session Length: 1 hour

Location: The Loop Cafe, Nad al Sheeba

Track Tuesday

Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.

Time: 05:59 am

Session Length: 1 hour

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Wednesday - Indoor Ride

Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com

Thursday - Endurance Strength

A strength class focused on key movements for endurance athletes to help avoid injury, build speed and develop strength.

Time: 06:30am

Location: This is a paid class session at InnerFight HQ. If you're interested to join, email winning@innerfight.com

Friday - Coffee Run

Our weekly tempo run.  Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.

Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time
: 05:59 am

Start Location: Common Grounds

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Ladies Run Club 25-34

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Fartlek Session

We are back! And we would love to welcome you to run with us. We will be running a fartlek session today, which means "speedplay" in Swedish. This means that we will sequence between running some faster and slower intervals. In doing so, it will help you become a faster runner and more intune with your running RPE and running IQ.

Tuesday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Session: Track Tuesday

This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Come ready to run fast and have fun with some 800s which vary in pace over 200m increments.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Intervals

Today we will be running 100m efforts.
Main Set
100s efforts

4x
100m HARD
100m WALK
2 mins drink break
REPEAT

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds

Session: The Coffee Run

Come and run easy or take part in our Tempo Run on the beach track.
Warm up:
5mins easy as a group
5mins building up the pace

Main Set:
2x
7mins @ 6/10; 2mins recovery
2x
6mins @ 7/10; 2mins recovery
2x
5mins @ 8/10; 2mins recovery

Sunday

Time: 5:29am

Location: Common Grounds

Session: Long Run

There are two options for your long run today,

Option 1:
Out and back route towards the canal path (as long as required)

Option 2:
Easy with kickers (92mins):
10mins easy
then,
6 x 10mins @ 5/10; 2mins @ 8/10
10mins v. easy to finish

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Mental Toughness: Thrive Under Pressure

Picture yourself standing at the start line of a crucial race or walking into a high-stakes business meeting. Your heart is racing, the pressure is on—how do you respond? This is where mental toughness comes in, and it could be the difference between success and failure.

Mental toughness is more than just pushing through discomfort. It's the ability to stay composed, confident, and focused, enabling you to perform at your best in the face of adversity. Whether you're an athlete, a manager, or an entrepreneur, mental toughness plays a pivotal role in achieving your goals.

What Is Mental Toughness?

In their book Developing Mental Toughness, Doug Strycharczyk and Peter Clough break down mental toughness into four essential pillars:

  1. Challenge – Do you see challenges as opportunities or threats? Those who are mentally tough thrive on challenges, using them as steppingstones to growth.
  2. Confidence – Do you believe in your abilities? High levels of self-belief allow you to take risks and trust your judgment, even when under pressure.
  3. Commitment – Can you stick to tasks without getting distracted or losing focus? Mentally tough individuals follow through with what they start, even when it's difficult.
  4. Control – Do you believe you can control your own destiny, or do you feel like life happens to you? Mentally tough people believe they have the power to influence their circumstances.

Developing Mental Toughness: A Practical Guide

The good news is that even if you're not naturally 'mentally tough', the skills are able to be developed. Just like endurance or physical strength, mental toughness can be cultivated over time with consistent practice. Here are some ways you can start:

1. Improve Self-Awareness

Know your strengths and weaknesses. Start by creating a plan for difficult situations, whether in competition or at work.

Actionable Exercise: Take 10 minutes to write down the situations where you feel the most pressure. Then, next to each, list one or two strengths you can leverage to succeed in that scenario. For example:

  • Pressure Situation: Starting a tough race
  • Strength: Your ability to focus on pacing and ignore the distractions of those racing around you

2. Become Resilient

Develop a routine to bounce back from mistakes quickly. Resilience doesn't mean you won't face setbacks—it means you'll recover faster.

Actionable Exercise: Create a refocusing routine, such as taking three deep breaths, visualizing a past success, and repeating a positive affirmation. For instance: "I've done this before, I can do it again." Use this routine every time you feel the pressure building.

3. Increase Confidence

Fill your mind with past successes. Confidence is built through experience, so remind yourself of the tough moments you've overcome.

Actionable Exercise: Write down three instances where you successfully dealt with pressure. Keep this list visible, and refer to it when you need a confidence boost.

4. Master Tough Thinking

Your self-talk matters. Mentally tough individuals recognize negative thoughts and quickly reframe them to positive ones.

Actionable Exercise: The next time you notice a negative thought, write it down, then reframe it. Example:

  • Negative Thought: "I always mess up during the final stretch of a race."
  • Reframed Thought: "I've pushed through tough races and training before, and I can do it again."

5. Perform Under Pressure

Identify the skills (technical, physical, and mental) that help you show up at your best when the stakes are high.

Actionable Exercise: List three key skills you need to perform well under pressure. For example:

  1. Physical: Pacing correctly
  2. Technical: Breathing control
  3. Mental: Staying focused on the present and the 'now', not the outcome or the finish

Write these skills down and place them somewhere visible, like on your training equipment or your workspace.

Mental Toughness Is a Journey

Building mental toughness won't happen overnight. Just like developing your aerobic base or mastering a new skill, it's a process that requires time, effort, and consistency. The more you invest in it, the greater the rewards.

Your Turn: Take Action

Now it's your turn. What's the first pillar of mental toughness that you want to work on? Start small—whether it's improving yourself-awareness, boosting your confidence, or developing a routine to stay focused under pressure.

Remember, mental toughness is a skill that can be developed. With every small step, you're getting closer to performing at your best when it matters the most.

Fun  - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - MENTAL TOUGHNESS - Hard Work