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 26-10

Monday:

Strength:

Every 90 sec x 6

2 hang squat cleans

1 front squat

Conditioning:

In a 3-minute window

24/21/18 cal Ass bike

10 Power clean

amrap bar over burpee

rest 2 mins x 6

Tuesday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

5 5 3 3 1 push press

Every 2 mins x 8

A:  20 dumbbell bench press

B: 1.1.1.1 strict pull-ups

Every 75 sec x 3

10 standing dumbbell French press

Conditioning:

For Time

Annie

50-40-30-20-10

DU

Ab Mat Sit ups

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

12 alt deficit db reverse lunge

Conditioning:

Every 2 mins x 15 rounds

90 sec Ski

90 sec C2 bike

90 sec Row

Thursday:

Strength:

Rope Climb skill

EMOM 6

M1 - 4-6 Garhammer Raises on floor

M2- 2/2 scap/rope pull-ups

EMOM 10 alt:

M1 - amrap RC

M2 - rest

Conditioning:

In Pairs

12 min amrap

P1 - 2 laps Car Park Run

P2 - amrap Devil Press

Friday:

Strength:

Every 3 mins x 5

5 Box Front Squat

3-5 Plyo box push-ups

Conditioning:

15 Rounds for time

12 Wall balls

9 box jump over

6 TTB

Saturday:

Saturday Session with Coach Eduan

Sunday Sweat:

In Pairs

Every 8 mins x5

1000m Row

50 Russian KB Swing (24/16)

amrap

burpee to plate

Sunday Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

6 Back squat

Every 2 mins x 4

12 alt db walking lungesEvery 2 mins x 4

8 6 4 2 barbell floor press

Every 2 mins x 4

8 barbell upright row

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #26-10

GYMNASTICS

This Tuesday we’re focusing on pull-up progressions! Strict, kipping and butterfly will make an appearance, followed by lat and core supersets.

MOBILITY

This week we’ll shift our focus toward the lower body, building fluid mobility through the hips and ankles while maintaining the same sense of awareness and control we’ve been developing. The goal is to create more usable range where it matters most for grounded movement — allowing the hips to rotate, hinge, and glide more freely while the ankles regain their ability to adapt and support us through changing positions.

As the session evolves, we’ll begin to layer the upper body back into the patterns — allowing the spine and shoulders to participate naturally as the lower body finds more freedom. By starting from the ground and building upward, the body can coordinate itself more efficiently, helping movements feel lighter, more connected, and ultimately more effortless.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week we have some clean drills with foot work positions - main focus is timing under the bar.

Clean complex same as mainline, 2 hang squat cleans + 1 front squat

Into a fun partner wod of grace.

Finishing with clean deadlifts. Heavy 3 back squats and weighted plank.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #26-10

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 26-10

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: InnerFight Studio City

Session: LRC Fartlek

We have another great run planned for you today.
Warm-Up in the park behind IF with Steph. This will be easy jogging into some dynamic moves.

Main Session:

60 sec at 6/10
60 sec recovery
30 sec at 8/10
30 sec recovery
x3

3 mins rest
Repeat sequence 3x

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 week we will be running 800s aat 5km and 3km pace.
Groups get as far through this as they can before 6.55am.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: InnerFight Studio City

Session: LRC Intervals

This week the interval session will take place from InnerFight. Rep scheme is 8-12 x
400m, each with a 60 sec rest.
These efforts should feel like a 8 or 9/10
Speed work here will help you run faster :-)
Make sure the rest if walking/standing to bring the HR back down.
See how you get on as the session goes 8, 10, or 12 reps

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds - Kite Beach

Session: The Coffee Run

After a team easy warm up, we will run a true classic set here. '4 by 4'.

The 4mins working blocks should be at Threshold. This will sit in that wonderful place between 10km and Half Marathon effort. Its going to ramp the HR right up but you should not feel out of control at all.

4 x 4mins 'EFFORT"
4 mins easy recovery between the reps.

The cool down and grab a coffee at Common Grounds.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Mainline Class
Specialty Class
Endurance
Ladies Run Club
Daily Workout 26-10

Monday:

Strength:

Every 90 sec x 6

2 hang squat cleans

1 front squat

Conditioning:

In a 3-minute window

24/21/18 cal Ass bike

10 Power clean

amrap bar over burpee

rest 2 mins x 6

Tuesday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

5 5 3 3 1 push press

Every 2 mins x 8

A:  20 dumbbell bench press

B: 1.1.1.1 strict pull-ups

Every 75 sec x 3

10 standing dumbbell French press

Conditioning:

For Time

Annie

50-40-30-20-10

DU

Ab Mat Sit ups

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

12 alt deficit db reverse lunge

Conditioning:

Every 2 mins x 15 rounds

90 sec Ski

90 sec C2 bike

90 sec Row

Thursday:

Strength:

Rope Climb skill

EMOM 6

M1 - 4-6 Garhammer Raises on floor

M2- 2/2 scap/rope pull-ups

EMOM 10 alt:

M1 - amrap RC

M2 - rest

Conditioning:

In Pairs

12 min amrap

P1 - 2 laps Car Park Run

P2 - amrap Devil Press

Friday:

Strength:

Every 3 mins x 5

5 Box Front Squat

3-5 Plyo box push-ups

Conditioning:

15 Rounds for time

12 Wall balls

9 box jump over

6 TTB

Saturday:

Saturday Session with Coach Eduan

Sunday Sweat:

In Pairs

Every 8 mins x5

1000m Row

50 Russian KB Swing (24/16)

amrap

burpee to plate

Sunday Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

6 Back squat

Every 2 mins x 4

12 alt db walking lungesEvery 2 mins x 4

8 6 4 2 barbell floor press

Every 2 mins x 4

8 barbell upright row

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #26-10

GYMNASTICS

This Tuesday we’re focusing on pull-up progressions! Strict, kipping and butterfly will make an appearance, followed by lat and core supersets.

MOBILITY

This week we’ll shift our focus toward the lower body, building fluid mobility through the hips and ankles while maintaining the same sense of awareness and control we’ve been developing. The goal is to create more usable range where it matters most for grounded movement — allowing the hips to rotate, hinge, and glide more freely while the ankles regain their ability to adapt and support us through changing positions.

As the session evolves, we’ll begin to layer the upper body back into the patterns — allowing the spine and shoulders to participate naturally as the lower body finds more freedom. By starting from the ground and building upward, the body can coordinate itself more efficiently, helping movements feel lighter, more connected, and ultimately more effortless.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week we have some clean drills with foot work positions - main focus is timing under the bar.

Clean complex same as mainline, 2 hang squat cleans + 1 front squat

Into a fun partner wod of grace.

Finishing with clean deadlifts. Heavy 3 back squats and weighted plank.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #26-10

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 26-10

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: InnerFight Studio City

Session: LRC Fartlek

We have another great run planned for you today.
Warm-Up in the park behind IF with Steph. This will be easy jogging into some dynamic moves.

Main Session:

60 sec at 6/10
60 sec recovery
30 sec at 8/10
30 sec recovery
x3

3 mins rest
Repeat sequence 3x

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 week we will be running 800s aat 5km and 3km pace.
Groups get as far through this as they can before 6.55am.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: InnerFight Studio City

Session: LRC Intervals

This week the interval session will take place from InnerFight. Rep scheme is 8-12 x
400m, each with a 60 sec rest.
These efforts should feel like a 8 or 9/10
Speed work here will help you run faster :-)
Make sure the rest if walking/standing to bring the HR back down.
See how you get on as the session goes 8, 10, or 12 reps

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds - Kite Beach

Session: The Coffee Run

After a team easy warm up, we will run a true classic set here. '4 by 4'.

The 4mins working blocks should be at Threshold. This will sit in that wonderful place between 10km and Half Marathon effort. Its going to ramp the HR right up but you should not feel out of control at all.

4 x 4mins 'EFFORT"
4 mins easy recovery between the reps.

The cool down and grab a coffee at Common Grounds.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Mainline Class
Specialty Class
Endurance
Ladies Run Club
Daily Workout 26-10

Monday:

Strength:

Every 90 sec x 6

2 hang squat cleans

1 front squat

Conditioning:

In a 3-minute window

24/21/18 cal Ass bike

10 Power clean

amrap bar over burpee

rest 2 mins x 6

Tuesday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

5 5 3 3 1 push press

Every 2 mins x 8

A:  20 dumbbell bench press

B: 1.1.1.1 strict pull-ups

Every 75 sec x 3

10 standing dumbbell French press

Conditioning:

For Time

Annie

50-40-30-20-10

DU

Ab Mat Sit ups

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

12 alt deficit db reverse lunge

Conditioning:

Every 2 mins x 15 rounds

90 sec Ski

90 sec C2 bike

90 sec Row

Thursday:

Strength:

Rope Climb skill

EMOM 6

M1 - 4-6 Garhammer Raises on floor

M2- 2/2 scap/rope pull-ups

EMOM 10 alt:

M1 - amrap RC

M2 - rest

Conditioning:

In Pairs

12 min amrap

P1 - 2 laps Car Park Run

P2 - amrap Devil Press

Friday:

Strength:

Every 3 mins x 5

5 Box Front Squat

3-5 Plyo box push-ups

Conditioning:

15 Rounds for time

12 Wall balls

9 box jump over

6 TTB

Saturday:

Saturday Session with Coach Eduan

Sunday Sweat:

In Pairs

Every 8 mins x5

1000m Row

50 Russian KB Swing (24/16)

amrap

burpee to plate

Sunday Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

6 Back squat

Every 2 mins x 4

12 alt db walking lungesEvery 2 mins x 4

8 6 4 2 barbell floor press

Every 2 mins x 4

8 barbell upright row

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #26-10

GYMNASTICS

This Tuesday we’re focusing on pull-up progressions! Strict, kipping and butterfly will make an appearance, followed by lat and core supersets.

MOBILITY

This week we’ll shift our focus toward the lower body, building fluid mobility through the hips and ankles while maintaining the same sense of awareness and control we’ve been developing. The goal is to create more usable range where it matters most for grounded movement — allowing the hips to rotate, hinge, and glide more freely while the ankles regain their ability to adapt and support us through changing positions.

As the session evolves, we’ll begin to layer the upper body back into the patterns — allowing the spine and shoulders to participate naturally as the lower body finds more freedom. By starting from the ground and building upward, the body can coordinate itself more efficiently, helping movements feel lighter, more connected, and ultimately more effortless.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week we have some clean drills with foot work positions - main focus is timing under the bar.

Clean complex same as mainline, 2 hang squat cleans + 1 front squat

Into a fun partner wod of grace.

Finishing with clean deadlifts. Heavy 3 back squats and weighted plank.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #26-10

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 26-10

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: InnerFight Studio City

Session: LRC Fartlek

We have another great run planned for you today.
Warm-Up in the park behind IF with Steph. This will be easy jogging into some dynamic moves.

Main Session:

60 sec at 6/10
60 sec recovery
30 sec at 8/10
30 sec recovery
x3

3 mins rest
Repeat sequence 3x

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 week we will be running 800s aat 5km and 3km pace.
Groups get as far through this as they can before 6.55am.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: InnerFight Studio City

Session: LRC Intervals

This week the interval session will take place from InnerFight. Rep scheme is 8-12 x
400m, each with a 60 sec rest.
These efforts should feel like a 8 or 9/10
Speed work here will help you run faster :-)
Make sure the rest if walking/standing to bring the HR back down.
See how you get on as the session goes 8, 10, or 12 reps

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds - Kite Beach

Session: The Coffee Run

After a team easy warm up, we will run a true classic set here. '4 by 4'.

The 4mins working blocks should be at Threshold. This will sit in that wonderful place between 10km and Half Marathon effort. Its going to ramp the HR right up but you should not feel out of control at all.

4 x 4mins 'EFFORT"
4 mins easy recovery between the reps.

The cool down and grab a coffee at Common Grounds.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Mainline Class
Specialty Class
Endurance
Ladies Run Club
Daily Workout 26-10

Monday:

Strength:

Every 90 sec x 6

2 hang squat cleans

1 front squat

Conditioning:

In a 3-minute window

24/21/18 cal Ass bike

10 Power clean

amrap bar over burpee

rest 2 mins x 6

Tuesday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

5 5 3 3 1 push press

Every 2 mins x 8

A:  20 dumbbell bench press

B: 1.1.1.1 strict pull-ups

Every 75 sec x 3

10 standing dumbbell French press

Conditioning:

For Time

Annie

50-40-30-20-10

DU

Ab Mat Sit ups

Wednesday:

Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

12 alt deficit db reverse lunge

Conditioning:

Every 2 mins x 15 rounds

90 sec Ski

90 sec C2 bike

90 sec Row

Thursday:

Strength:

Rope Climb skill

EMOM 6

M1 - 4-6 Garhammer Raises on floor

M2- 2/2 scap/rope pull-ups

EMOM 10 alt:

M1 - amrap RC

M2 - rest

Conditioning:

In Pairs

12 min amrap

P1 - 2 laps Car Park Run

P2 - amrap Devil Press

Friday:

Strength:

Every 3 mins x 5

5 Box Front Squat

3-5 Plyo box push-ups

Conditioning:

15 Rounds for time

12 Wall balls

9 box jump over

6 TTB

Saturday:

Saturday Session with Coach Eduan

Sunday Sweat:

In Pairs

Every 8 mins x5

1000m Row

50 Russian KB Swing (24/16)

amrap

burpee to plate

Sunday Strength:

Every 2 mins x 5

6 Back squat

Every 2 mins x 4

12 alt db walking lungesEvery 2 mins x 4

8 6 4 2 barbell floor press

Every 2 mins x 4

8 barbell upright row

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Specialty Class #26-10

GYMNASTICS

This Tuesday we’re focusing on pull-up progressions! Strict, kipping and butterfly will make an appearance, followed by lat and core supersets.

MOBILITY

This week we’ll shift our focus toward the lower body, building fluid mobility through the hips and ankles while maintaining the same sense of awareness and control we’ve been developing. The goal is to create more usable range where it matters most for grounded movement — allowing the hips to rotate, hinge, and glide more freely while the ankles regain their ability to adapt and support us through changing positions.

As the session evolves, we’ll begin to layer the upper body back into the patterns — allowing the spine and shoulders to participate naturally as the lower body finds more freedom. By starting from the ground and building upward, the body can coordinate itself more efficiently, helping movements feel lighter, more connected, and ultimately more effortless.

WEIGHTLIFTING

This week we have some clean drills with foot work positions - main focus is timing under the bar.

Clean complex same as mainline, 2 hang squat cleans + 1 front squat

Into a fun partner wod of grace.

Finishing with clean deadlifts. Heavy 3 back squats and weighted plank.

Triathlon
Swimming
Race Prep
Endurance #26-10

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 26-10

Monday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: InnerFight Studio City

Session: LRC Fartlek

We have another great run planned for you today.
Warm-Up in the park behind IF with Steph. This will be easy jogging into some dynamic moves.

Main Session:

60 sec at 6/10
60 sec recovery
30 sec at 8/10
30 sec recovery
x3

3 mins rest
Repeat sequence 3x

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 week we will be running 800s aat 5km and 3km pace.
Groups get as far through this as they can before 6.55am.

Wednesday

Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm

Location: InnerFight Studio City

Session: LRC Intervals

This week the interval session will take place from InnerFight. Rep scheme is 8-12 x
400m, each with a 60 sec rest.
These efforts should feel like a 8 or 9/10
Speed work here will help you run faster :-)
Make sure the rest if walking/standing to bring the HR back down.
See how you get on as the session goes 8, 10, or 12 reps

Friday

Time: 5:59am

Location: Common Grounds - Kite Beach

Session: The Coffee Run

After a team easy warm up, we will run a true classic set here. '4 by 4'.

The 4mins working blocks should be at Threshold. This will sit in that wonderful place between 10km and Half Marathon effort. Its going to ramp the HR right up but you should not feel out of control at all.

4 x 4mins 'EFFORT"
4 mins easy recovery between the reps.

The cool down and grab a coffee at Common Grounds.

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