Mental Toughness Revised

In my new version of mental toughness, I thought it would be an improvement to relate the article to me and my experiences as an elite gymnast.  I realized that I need mental toughness everyday at the gym.  It's one thing to train while you're relaxed, but completely different when you're competing and there is stress coming from different directions.  During a competition I worry about not doing well and this makes me anxious.  I also worry about falling which will bring my ranking down and this causes me stress.  But, I try not to think about being scared and nervous.  I just remember how many times I've practiced my skills and try and trust that it's enough to help me do well.  I tell myself being brave is the key.  Being scared does not prevent my knees from wobbling while I'm on the beam for instance.  I have to be strong and put on my bravest face blocking out all my fears.


The article talks about how you need mental toughness just to get through each day of training.  Boy, can I relate to that!  Training 5.5 hours/day, 5 or 6 days/day can become pretty repetitive and you need a tough mind to get you through it.  Sometimes I go to gym with sore muscles or I haven't slept enough and feel tired.  Even worse is when you get injured.  I've always said the true test of how strong an athlete is is when they get injured.  I broke my big toe once and I would go to gym wanting to fully train, but couldn't.  I had to let my toe heal, all I could do was conditioning.  I'm rearing to go, but I'm stopped dead in my tracks.  It takes so much perseverance and patience to see yourself through an injury and then return to full training.  It can be a long and frustrating process.  Mind over matter is the key.

There are days that I'd rather stay in school and catch up on homework, attend classes or finish a project, but I have to go to gym.  It's a constant battle, I want to be a full-time student, but can't.  I have to leave my academic goals of doing well in school somewhat on the back burner.  I'm constantly torn about where I should focus my energy.  I've even toyed with the idea of quitting gymnastics in order to be a better student.  To resolve all these internal conflicts and stay on course and never give up, I have to be extremely mentally tough.  And so, I continue in my quest for excellence as a gymnast. 


http://www.thesportinmind.com/articles/what-is-mental-toughness-and-why-do-you-need-it/

http://www.mdsports.net/docs/mentaltoughnessgymnastics.pdf

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/exercises/mental-toughness-in-sports-why-exercising-your-mind-will-help-you-excel.html#b