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Are you mentally tough?

ByDave

Getting fit is simple:

  • Train hard
  • Train smart
  • Eat right
  • Recover

If you’re doing those four things, you are going to be fit enough for selection, it’s just a matter of time and consistency.

But mental toughness is a whole different animal. For one, there is no objective measure to quantify it, and no one knows why one person is more mentally tough than another.

How to Become Mentally Tough (old answer)

So, for a long time, when asked, How to Become Mentally Tough

My answer would boil down to 2 highly unsatisfying points for those who would ask it:

1) If you’re not fit enough and are doing the four components listed above to improve your fitness, it doesn’t matter, so stop overanalyzing and train.

2) No one can define or quantify improvements in mental toughness, so no one actually knows how to improve it. Instead, do hard things – like doubling down on your training, nutrition, recovery, and sleep which will improve your fitness for selection.

How to Become Mentally Tough (new answer)

While my previous answer still holds true that training is paramount, lately, I’ve been doing more research on

  1. Behavior change
  2. Mental strategies of elite athletes
  3. Ego/Identity in elite athletes

WITS Framework for Mental Toughness

Throughout this research, I’ve developed a new framework called WITS for developing mental toughness.

W – Why

I – Identity

T – Training

S – Segmentation

While this is not an objective measure of mental toughness, this is a powerful mental framework that every athlete should think through.

On Friday, I will be releasing the video and 1,800-word article. In the meantime, go crush your workout.

I'm a coach with a passion for helping athletes dominate the toughest selection courses in the world. Over the years, I've trained well over 100 athletes for Special Operations selection courses, including SFAS, RASP, Air Force A&S, BORTAC, SWAT, and MARSOC A&S. My mission is to bridge the gap between traditional performance training and the unique demands of tactical and military athletes.

I got my start coaching hybrid athletes, blending strength, endurance, and hypertrophy training to achieve peak performance. As I worked with more tactical and military athletes, I realized there was a need for a specialized approach tailored to the grueling physical and mental challenges of SOF selections. This realization drove me to focus on prepping SOF candidates for success, combining cutting-edge research, proven training methodologies, and real-world experience.

Whether you're preparing for selection, seeking to level up your fitness, or simply curious about what it takes to thrive in these elite environments, I hope you'll find the information I share helpful.