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 25-49

Monday:

Strength:

EMOM 10

1 Power Clean

1 Hang Power Clean

Conditioning:

In a 3 minute window

15 Dumbbell Hang Power Cleans

12 Pull ups

AMRAP

Cal row

rest 2 mins

In a 3 minute window

15 Dumbbell Front Squat

12 TTB

AMRAP

Cal Ski

rest 2 mins x3

Tuesday:

Strength:

EMOM 10

2 pull ups

Every 90 seconds  x 6

10 10 8 8 6 6 /arm

Dumbbell Bent Over Row

Every 75 seconds x 6

30 seconds max reps Inverted Rows

Conditioning:

FOR TIME

in pairs

200 partner Wall Balls

Olivara run (together)

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 2:00 x 6

3 Deadlift

Conditioning:

In a 4 minute window

30/25/20 cal ski

20 Kettlebell Hang Snatch

AMRAP

Wall Walk

rest 2 mins x 5

Thursday:

Strength:

Every 90 seconds x 6

5 Push Press

Every 75 seconds x 8

A: 5 Barbell Floor Press

B: 8 Dumbbell RDL @ 30x1

EMOM 8

M1 - 20 sec Dual KB OH Hold

M2 - 10 Banded Russian Kettlebell Swing

Conditioning:

4 rounds for time

20 dual KB Sumo Deadlift

15 Box Jumps

Friday:

Conditioning:

Dumbbell 12 Days of Christmas

1 Manmaker

2 Devil Press

3 Thrusters

4 DB Hang Power Clean

5 Front Squats

6 Renegade rows (e/side)

7 Deadlifts

8 Plank Pull throughs (e/side 1 db)

9 Db Floor Press

10 Suitcase hold step up

11 Russian twist (e/side)

12 Reverse lunge (e/side)

Saturday Session with Coach Eduan

Sunday Sweat:

In a team of 3 Amrap 40

(relay style)

200m row

Pool Run

15 burpee box jump overs

20 wall balls

Sunday Strength:

Every 2 mins x 6

8 alternating Barbell Reverse Lunges

Every 90 seconds x 4

8 Zercher Good Mornings @ 30x1

Every 2 minutes x 12

A- 10 Close Grip Bench Press

B - max unbroken set of Ring Rows

C - 15 weighted Sit Ups

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #25-49

GYMNASTICS

This week we’re going upside down with handstand push ups.

We will begin with headstands for positional awareness. Then, we will move to the boxes to work on strict work. We’ll round out the session with negative, strict and kipping work from the wall.

HYBRID FITNESS

This week we are hitting some mixed intervals of running and sled work which will really challenge your lower body endurance followed by a tough EMOM

MOBILITY

This mobility class takes your shoulders through a smart, intentional progression—from restoring foundational movement to building lasting strength and freedom overhead. We begin by reawakening shoulder mechanics with gentle pre-hab and mobility drills, then move into stability work that reinforces healthy joint positioning. As the session progresses, we strengthen the rotator cuff and surrounding musculature, ultimately expanding your overhead range of motion so you can move more freely, lift more confidently, and train without discomfort.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week we are drilling split jerk technique. Followed by the classic, clean + front squat + split jerk.

EMOM squat clean, clean deadlifts, finishing with heavy back squat triples.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #25-49

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 25-49

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Fartlek Session

We will be starting the week with a fartlek session from InnerFight, which means speedplay. The sequence of the run allows you to control your paces based on how you are feeling on the day.

Tuesday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Session: Track Tuesday

This is your opportunity to run faster with the wider IFE community and coaches on the athletics track. This morning we will be running at 3k pace and with 45s rest between. 400m, 500m, 600m, 700m, 800m, 900m, 1000m, 1100m, 1200m.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Inervals

Today we are running intervals from InnerFight. This week the reps will be short and sharp, we will be running in the park behind InnerFight.

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds, Kite Beach

Session: The Coffee Run

This week we will be building pace across each block, go easy in the 2min recoveries to ensure a nice pick up in effort each build.

Sunday

Session: Abu Dhabi Marathon

Please check the group WhatsAppp for warm-up time and location

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Mainline Class
Specialty Class
Endurance
Ladies Run Club
Daily Workout 25-49

Monday:

Strength:

EMOM 10

1 Power Clean

1 Hang Power Clean

Conditioning:

In a 3 minute window

15 Dumbbell Hang Power Cleans

12 Pull ups

AMRAP

Cal row

rest 2 mins

In a 3 minute window

15 Dumbbell Front Squat

12 TTB

AMRAP

Cal Ski

rest 2 mins x3

Tuesday:

Strength:

EMOM 10

2 pull ups

Every 90 seconds  x 6

10 10 8 8 6 6 /arm

Dumbbell Bent Over Row

Every 75 seconds x 6

30 seconds max reps Inverted Rows

Conditioning:

FOR TIME

in pairs

200 partner Wall Balls

Olivara run (together)

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 2:00 x 6

3 Deadlift

Conditioning:

In a 4 minute window

30/25/20 cal ski

20 Kettlebell Hang Snatch

AMRAP

Wall Walk

rest 2 mins x 5

Thursday:

Strength:

Every 90 seconds x 6

5 Push Press

Every 75 seconds x 8

A: 5 Barbell Floor Press

B: 8 Dumbbell RDL @ 30x1

EMOM 8

M1 - 20 sec Dual KB OH Hold

M2 - 10 Banded Russian Kettlebell Swing

Conditioning:

4 rounds for time

20 dual KB Sumo Deadlift

15 Box Jumps

Friday:

Conditioning:

Dumbbell 12 Days of Christmas

1 Manmaker

2 Devil Press

3 Thrusters

4 DB Hang Power Clean

5 Front Squats

6 Renegade rows (e/side)

7 Deadlifts

8 Plank Pull throughs (e/side 1 db)

9 Db Floor Press

10 Suitcase hold step up

11 Russian twist (e/side)

12 Reverse lunge (e/side)

Saturday Session with Coach Eduan

Sunday Sweat:

In a team of 3 Amrap 40

(relay style)

200m row

Pool Run

15 burpee box jump overs

20 wall balls

Sunday Strength:

Every 2 mins x 6

8 alternating Barbell Reverse Lunges

Every 90 seconds x 4

8 Zercher Good Mornings @ 30x1

Every 2 minutes x 12

A- 10 Close Grip Bench Press

B - max unbroken set of Ring Rows

C - 15 weighted Sit Ups

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #25-49

GYMNASTICS

This week we’re going upside down with handstand push ups.

We will begin with headstands for positional awareness. Then, we will move to the boxes to work on strict work. We’ll round out the session with negative, strict and kipping work from the wall.

HYBRID FITNESS

This week we are hitting some mixed intervals of running and sled work which will really challenge your lower body endurance followed by a tough EMOM

MOBILITY

This mobility class takes your shoulders through a smart, intentional progression—from restoring foundational movement to building lasting strength and freedom overhead. We begin by reawakening shoulder mechanics with gentle pre-hab and mobility drills, then move into stability work that reinforces healthy joint positioning. As the session progresses, we strengthen the rotator cuff and surrounding musculature, ultimately expanding your overhead range of motion so you can move more freely, lift more confidently, and train without discomfort.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week we are drilling split jerk technique. Followed by the classic, clean + front squat + split jerk.

EMOM squat clean, clean deadlifts, finishing with heavy back squat triples.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #25-49

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 25-49

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Fartlek Session

We will be starting the week with a fartlek session from InnerFight, which means speedplay. The sequence of the run allows you to control your paces based on how you are feeling on the day.

Tuesday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Session: Track Tuesday

This is your opportunity to run faster with the wider IFE community and coaches on the athletics track. This morning we will be running at 3k pace and with 45s rest between. 400m, 500m, 600m, 700m, 800m, 900m, 1000m, 1100m, 1200m.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Inervals

Today we are running intervals from InnerFight. This week the reps will be short and sharp, we will be running in the park behind InnerFight.

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds, Kite Beach

Session: The Coffee Run

This week we will be building pace across each block, go easy in the 2min recoveries to ensure a nice pick up in effort each build.

Sunday

Session: Abu Dhabi Marathon

Please check the group WhatsAppp for warm-up time and location

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Mainline Class
Specialty Class
Endurance
Ladies Run Club
Daily Workout 25-49

Monday:

Strength:

EMOM 10

1 Power Clean

1 Hang Power Clean

Conditioning:

In a 3 minute window

15 Dumbbell Hang Power Cleans

12 Pull ups

AMRAP

Cal row

rest 2 mins

In a 3 minute window

15 Dumbbell Front Squat

12 TTB

AMRAP

Cal Ski

rest 2 mins x3

Tuesday:

Strength:

EMOM 10

2 pull ups

Every 90 seconds  x 6

10 10 8 8 6 6 /arm

Dumbbell Bent Over Row

Every 75 seconds x 6

30 seconds max reps Inverted Rows

Conditioning:

FOR TIME

in pairs

200 partner Wall Balls

Olivara run (together)

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 2:00 x 6

3 Deadlift

Conditioning:

In a 4 minute window

30/25/20 cal ski

20 Kettlebell Hang Snatch

AMRAP

Wall Walk

rest 2 mins x 5

Thursday:

Strength:

Every 90 seconds x 6

5 Push Press

Every 75 seconds x 8

A: 5 Barbell Floor Press

B: 8 Dumbbell RDL @ 30x1

EMOM 8

M1 - 20 sec Dual KB OH Hold

M2 - 10 Banded Russian Kettlebell Swing

Conditioning:

4 rounds for time

20 dual KB Sumo Deadlift

15 Box Jumps

Friday:

Conditioning:

Dumbbell 12 Days of Christmas

1 Manmaker

2 Devil Press

3 Thrusters

4 DB Hang Power Clean

5 Front Squats

6 Renegade rows (e/side)

7 Deadlifts

8 Plank Pull throughs (e/side 1 db)

9 Db Floor Press

10 Suitcase hold step up

11 Russian twist (e/side)

12 Reverse lunge (e/side)

Saturday Session with Coach Eduan

Sunday Sweat:

In a team of 3 Amrap 40

(relay style)

200m row

Pool Run

15 burpee box jump overs

20 wall balls

Sunday Strength:

Every 2 mins x 6

8 alternating Barbell Reverse Lunges

Every 90 seconds x 4

8 Zercher Good Mornings @ 30x1

Every 2 minutes x 12

A- 10 Close Grip Bench Press

B - max unbroken set of Ring Rows

C - 15 weighted Sit Ups

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #25-49

GYMNASTICS

This week we’re going upside down with handstand push ups.

We will begin with headstands for positional awareness. Then, we will move to the boxes to work on strict work. We’ll round out the session with negative, strict and kipping work from the wall.

HYBRID FITNESS

This week we are hitting some mixed intervals of running and sled work which will really challenge your lower body endurance followed by a tough EMOM

MOBILITY

This mobility class takes your shoulders through a smart, intentional progression—from restoring foundational movement to building lasting strength and freedom overhead. We begin by reawakening shoulder mechanics with gentle pre-hab and mobility drills, then move into stability work that reinforces healthy joint positioning. As the session progresses, we strengthen the rotator cuff and surrounding musculature, ultimately expanding your overhead range of motion so you can move more freely, lift more confidently, and train without discomfort.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week we are drilling split jerk technique. Followed by the classic, clean + front squat + split jerk.

EMOM squat clean, clean deadlifts, finishing with heavy back squat triples.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #25-49

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 25-49

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Fartlek Session

We will be starting the week with a fartlek session from InnerFight, which means speedplay. The sequence of the run allows you to control your paces based on how you are feeling on the day.

Tuesday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Session: Track Tuesday

This is your opportunity to run faster with the wider IFE community and coaches on the athletics track. This morning we will be running at 3k pace and with 45s rest between. 400m, 500m, 600m, 700m, 800m, 900m, 1000m, 1100m, 1200m.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Inervals

Today we are running intervals from InnerFight. This week the reps will be short and sharp, we will be running in the park behind InnerFight.

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds, Kite Beach

Session: The Coffee Run

This week we will be building pace across each block, go easy in the 2min recoveries to ensure a nice pick up in effort each build.

Sunday

Session: Abu Dhabi Marathon

Please check the group WhatsAppp for warm-up time and location

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Mainline Class
Specialty Class
Endurance
Ladies Run Club
Daily Workout 25-49

Monday:

Strength:

EMOM 10

1 Power Clean

1 Hang Power Clean

Conditioning:

In a 3 minute window

15 Dumbbell Hang Power Cleans

12 Pull ups

AMRAP

Cal row

rest 2 mins

In a 3 minute window

15 Dumbbell Front Squat

12 TTB

AMRAP

Cal Ski

rest 2 mins x3

Tuesday:

Strength:

EMOM 10

2 pull ups

Every 90 seconds  x 6

10 10 8 8 6 6 /arm

Dumbbell Bent Over Row

Every 75 seconds x 6

30 seconds max reps Inverted Rows

Conditioning:

FOR TIME

in pairs

200 partner Wall Balls

Olivara run (together)

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 2:00 x 6

3 Deadlift

Conditioning:

In a 4 minute window

30/25/20 cal ski

20 Kettlebell Hang Snatch

AMRAP

Wall Walk

rest 2 mins x 5

Thursday:

Strength:

Every 90 seconds x 6

5 Push Press

Every 75 seconds x 8

A: 5 Barbell Floor Press

B: 8 Dumbbell RDL @ 30x1

EMOM 8

M1 - 20 sec Dual KB OH Hold

M2 - 10 Banded Russian Kettlebell Swing

Conditioning:

4 rounds for time

20 dual KB Sumo Deadlift

15 Box Jumps

Friday:

Conditioning:

Dumbbell 12 Days of Christmas

1 Manmaker

2 Devil Press

3 Thrusters

4 DB Hang Power Clean

5 Front Squats

6 Renegade rows (e/side)

7 Deadlifts

8 Plank Pull throughs (e/side 1 db)

9 Db Floor Press

10 Suitcase hold step up

11 Russian twist (e/side)

12 Reverse lunge (e/side)

Saturday Session with Coach Eduan

Sunday Sweat:

In a team of 3 Amrap 40

(relay style)

200m row

Pool Run

15 burpee box jump overs

20 wall balls

Sunday Strength:

Every 2 mins x 6

8 alternating Barbell Reverse Lunges

Every 90 seconds x 4

8 Zercher Good Mornings @ 30x1

Every 2 minutes x 12

A- 10 Close Grip Bench Press

B - max unbroken set of Ring Rows

C - 15 weighted Sit Ups

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #25-49

GYMNASTICS

This week we’re going upside down with handstand push ups.

We will begin with headstands for positional awareness. Then, we will move to the boxes to work on strict work. We’ll round out the session with negative, strict and kipping work from the wall.

HYBRID FITNESS

This week we are hitting some mixed intervals of running and sled work which will really challenge your lower body endurance followed by a tough EMOM

MOBILITY

This mobility class takes your shoulders through a smart, intentional progression—from restoring foundational movement to building lasting strength and freedom overhead. We begin by reawakening shoulder mechanics with gentle pre-hab and mobility drills, then move into stability work that reinforces healthy joint positioning. As the session progresses, we strengthen the rotator cuff and surrounding musculature, ultimately expanding your overhead range of motion so you can move more freely, lift more confidently, and train without discomfort.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week we are drilling split jerk technique. Followed by the classic, clean + front squat + split jerk.

EMOM squat clean, clean deadlifts, finishing with heavy back squat triples.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #25-49

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 25-49

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Fartlek Session

We will be starting the week with a fartlek session from InnerFight, which means speedplay. The sequence of the run allows you to control your paces based on how you are feeling on the day.

Tuesday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park

Entrance fee

Session: Track Tuesday

This is your opportunity to run faster with the wider IFE community and coaches on the athletics track. This morning we will be running at 3k pace and with 45s rest between. 400m, 500m, 600m, 700m, 800m, 900m, 1000m, 1100m, 1200m.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: Innerfight

Session: LRC Inervals

Today we are running intervals from InnerFight. This week the reps will be short and sharp, we will be running in the park behind InnerFight.

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds, Kite Beach

Session: The Coffee Run

This week we will be building pace across each block, go easy in the 2min recoveries to ensure a nice pick up in effort each build.

Sunday

Session: Abu Dhabi Marathon

Please check the group WhatsAppp for warm-up time and location

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