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Mental toughness is the hardest part of being an elite athlete. Lots of athletes have the skills to be successful, but what stops them from reaching their potential is often their minds.
Sometimes being in a rut or a routine can cause athletes to become comfortable. It’s not until they’re in an uncomfortable situation do problems occur. These types of situations are usually when an athlete starts to have problems. It’s not uncommon for athletes to struggle, but it becomes a problem when athletes don’t know how to get over the issue mentally.
Retired Navy SEAL, David Goggins is arguably one of the best endurance athletes in the world. He has completed multiple ultramarathons and ultratriathlons – a race longer than 26.2 miles or for a long specified time. Goggins is also the only member of the U.S. Armed Forces to complete SEAL training, U.S. Army Ranger School, and Air Force tactical air controller training. It’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about mental toughness.
Through all of Goggins training, he finds that “Everybody is looking for mental toughness, every athlete, everybody in the world is looking for mental toughness. The only way you gain mental toughness is to do things you’re not happy doing. If you continue doing things that you’re satisfied with, and that makes you happy, you’re not getting stronger. Either you’re getting better or worse, you’re not staying the same.”
Goggins is in the book, “Living with a SEAL: 31 days training with the toughest man on the planet” written by Atlanta Hawks owner, Jesse Itzler. In this book, Itzler describes his time training with Goggins and how he learned to become mentally tougher.
One of the many things Itzler says he learned from Goggins is, “We’re all capable of so much more than we think we are. We have so much more in our reserve tank than we think we do. When you’re mind is telling you that you’re done, you’re really only 40% done.”
Nowadays, in collegiate athletics, it’s not uncommon for coaches to think outside the box to help their athletes. That could mean anyone from sports psychologists to Navy SEALs. Just like Itzler brought in someone to train him, coaches do the same thing to get the best out of their athletes.
Being mentally tough is not a natural occurrence. It takes time and disciple to redirect the mind to act differently than it feels. That’s what the Navy SEALS 40% rule, and mental toughness training does. It makes people see that their brain’s first reactions to quit, stop pushing and complain, is not what you have to do. This type of training is how athletes can reach their full potential.
Collegiate athletics isn’t easy, and without mental training, it can be even harder for athletes to achieve their ultimate goals. For an athlete to be a winner, on the field or court, they need to find ways to overcome the moments when their mind tells them it’s time to stop. Don’t quit when your mind tells you, be mentally tough and find the 60% you need to be great.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.