Mental toughness has been a long-standing topic for generations, both within and outside the military. Whether it’s years of training or a simple mindset you’re born with, we all have stories of how we progressed to becoming more mentally tough. Here is a question from a Marine pondering whether we are born with mental toughness or if we develop it without even knowing:

Stew, I am a Marine and feel like my physical and mental toughness have improved over the last five years of service. I always thought we were either born with toughness or not. I think differently and feel that mental toughness can be learned. Was I incorrect with my initial assumption? Thanks for your time, Kade.

Kade, doing tough things will make you tougher mentally and physically. While I agree that there is a “born with it” level in all of us, the development and maintenance of toughness require action. Given your job as a Marine, you have been tasked with challenging things that are not normal, in uncomfortable environments, and likely with little to no sleep. So, yes, mental and physical toughness can be developed and must be as the job demands it.

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Most of us possess the survival “toughness” that, in emergent situations, enables us to summon incredible abilities to help ourselves or those we care about reach safety. We are built to compete and survive against Mother Nature or man-made situations to live another day. This type of toughness is rarely tapped into, and most of us are unaware that we can react in such a way. However, through realistic training, tough workouts, and experiencing physically and mentally challenging situations, we can develop into tougher humans.

The beauty of mental toughness is that a base level is always available to tap into when needed, but using it for daily living will enhance it further. We achieve this by waking up early and consistently working out, regardless of the weather. Practicing and working to improve at things in which we don’t naturally excel is another way to develop mental and physical toughness. By doing things we do not necessarily feel like doing, we develop a part of our brain-body connection that becomes stronger.

I call this “The Never Quit Mindset”. You will not become tougher by merely reading about and observing others undertaking challenging tasks. You become tougher by engaging in daily challenges, both mental and physical. Incorporating mental tools and physical challenges into your routine transforms your day into an action plan of improvement. You will learn by doing, soon realizing that toughness is not just a trait with which you’re born but a skill that can be cultivated, refined and enhanced through experience and intentional practice. We must understand that we can face extreme challenges head-on and emerge stronger.

For more articles on training ideas that improve mental toughness and are suitable for all fitness levels, check out the Military.com Fitness Section. It contains hundreds of articles designed to help beginners and advanced athletes of any age develop good habits, build optimal performance and manage stress effectively.

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