Developing Mental Toughness & The Importance of Your Training Atmosphere

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Your training atmosphere can either build your mental toughness or put up road blocks in developing mental toughness. Your Training Atmosphere is key.

Some will say you must have loud music and you must be surrounded by other highly motivated lifters and athletes.

I used to say exactly that and still love that experience.

But there is much to be said about the opposite, when you have no one surrounding you to inspire or motivate you, except for yourself.

There is no music or the music sucks.

The man who can tune out the noise and the frustration and get the job done with all the cards stacked against him is a professional. He doesn't care about the music, the type of equipment or how many people he can impress.

He cares about getting the job done. Period.

After seeing the lifters on MAX OUT Friday at Travis Mash's Gym during our Underground Strength Coach & Learn 2 Lift Cert, I saw how an awesome training environment can push you to greater and greater heights.

I was reminded that training atmosphere is a KEY for boosting your success. The athletes were attacking each set and they were even attacking the bar when changing the weights.

Those lifters Brought that attitude with them, they didn't show up with a poor attitude and then expect or even hope for others to lift them up.

There were no pats on the back or pep talks for lifts made or lost. All lifters were expected to get in there and attack the weights.

You Must lift yourself up, first and foremost.

Next, if you don't reach your goals, don't sulk in the corner with your head down waiting for someone to cheer you up. Dust yourself off and get back on track.

As a Coach of athletes as well as adults, both online and at my gym, I see how some will crush it regardless of who is around and some will not succeed, even when the opportunity has been provided.

You either want it or you don't. That sounds harsh, but each passing day I learn this to be a fact, more and more. I see men who can get to the gym, but choose not to. I see athletes who can get to the gym, but choose to be "too tired" or "too busy" at age 15 or 16.

See the Videos below of The Mash Elite Training Hall and note the intensity and how everyone goes about getting their OWN work done.

Then, see the final Video, a note of advice I picked up on as former Navy SEAL Andy Stumpf discussed training and combat with NFL Veteran, John Welbourn.

There is much to be learned, as always.....

[youtube width="640" height="360"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pskFXbZOL1Y[/youtube]

[youtube width="640" height="360"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE85-jlPPos[/youtube]

[youtube width="640" height="360"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FleGiJVvd8Q[/youtube]

"You Do Not Rise to The Occasion....

You FALL to the Level of Your Training...."

[youtube width="640" height="360"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljx9VrJnEbw[/youtube]

If you want to keep building your mental toughness, try mixing in any of the following:

  • Train alone, with no music and in an uncomfortable environment / time.
  • Train earlier or later than normal.
  • Train in the cold or the heat, temps that are not the norm for you.
  • Do your durability work First and your Heavy lifting last.
  • Train when you don't want to train.
  • Dedicate yourself to become good at something you normally avoid.
  • "Be Tougher" - Jocko Willink

There are many ways to build your mental toughness, but it all begins with you wanting it and ultimately, doing the work. I know lots of people who "want it" or at least they say they do. But far and few between do the work.

And then there are some, who don't give a shit about being tough, strong, successful..... I don't know how to help those that don't want to help themselves.

Every time you get comfortable being uncomfortable, you add another boost to your mental toughness and confidence. It is all forged through your work.

Live The Code 365,

--Z--

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4 Responses

  1. The more I read and listen to (from you Zach, and others), the more I find myself becoming less tolerant of the complaining and excuses that come from the kids/athletes I train. Even with my clients at work.
    The real challenge is with myself… The battle for toughness is an internal one, there is no outward opponent, except for that dude in the mirror.
    I listened to that podcast with Jocko, blew my mind.
    Intense doesn’t even describe it.
    Keep bringing the truth, Zach! Fuel to get me through another tough day today.

    1. Brother, it gets bad,……. you become intolerant and that can be frustrating, sorry for making you feel LESS accepting of others! TRUTH!

  2. Great post, thanks Z! Agree with you and my boy from the forum Brian D….toughest battle is always internal. Sometimes we win that battle and set a good example for our kids and athletes, and then sometimes….it’s time to “be tougher” like Jocko says!

    1. Yes, when you coach and exert your passion and energy for others, it Does take away from your own energy at times.

      Ya gotta dig deep to keep the toughness going.

      Use it or Lose it.

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