The “Heart of a Champion” is not made overnight.  Neither are the components that are embedded within it, mental toughness and resiliency.  It takes consistent effort through progressive challenges to create mental toughness and resiliency.  Some people may have it through their life experiences, while others can develop it through specific training programs.

I will never forget my times in the Marines and the training I went through.  Nowadays, the new version of Marine Force Recon (Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command – MarSOC) includes resiliency training, known as Performance and Resiliency program (PerRes).  This encompasses both the mental and physical aspects of resiliency and mental toughness.

From what I can tell with the physical training, they include explosiveness (plyometrics). This is far cry from my days.  We used what was available, including Mother Nature.  I still do that today.  I believe the Navy SEALS have a similar training regime.  And every Special Forces Units realize that mental toughness and resiliency is a very important factor in successfully accomplishing their missions.  So is the physical fitness portion too.

The best sports teams train the hardest before each game and during the off-season.  The best athletes within those teams go above and beyond in the way they train.  Bo Eason talked about how he would watch Jerry Rice practice full out during training sessions.  He was the only wide receiver that would do what he did.  And it showed in every single game he played.  Jerry will probably go down as the game’s greatest ever.  Not because he was the most talented either, but because he worked the hardest so he could give each game his best effort.

As I watched the recent NFC playoff game between Jerry’s old team, the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons, true resiliency came out.  During the first half, it looked as if the Falcons was going to completely destroy the Niners.  They went up 17-0.  By the end of the first half, the Falcons had a 24-14 lead.  Then the second half started.  The 49ers opened it as the receiving team.  They then marched down the field to score, making the score 24-21.  Turnovers took place on both sides.

The defense of the Niners managed to stop the Falcons from scoring the whole second half.  The last score came late in the 4th quarter making it 28-24, Niners.  That was the way the game ended.  Despite what happened in the first half, it takes a whole game played fully to prevail.  The Falcons didn’t and the Niners did.  Resiliency won too.  In fact, this was the greatest comeback in the NFC title game.

“Ability may get you to the top, but character keeps you there – mental, moral and physical.” – John Wooden

Keys to developing both mental toughness and resiliency is being physically fit, being able to accept challenges that come your way, creating challenges at ever-increasing levels, looking back at your challenges and learning from them, developing mindfulness and finally, bringing both mind and body together as one.  Get out and get challenged.  Get physically fit.  Get mentally fit.  Be a lifelong learner.  Apply what you learn and if it doesn’t work, then find something that does.

Remember, having mental toughness and resiliency is not something you’re born with.  You can develop it and you’ve got to want it.  And if you do, then go get it.  That is the only way that will show the world that you really want it.  Just do it!

Cheers,

Bob
America’s #1 Mind-Body Transformation Expert and Author of ‘Mind Your Own Fitness’