How many times have you heard a coach say in a post game interview, after a tough loss, that the reason for the poor performance was because the team wasn't mentally prepared?  I heard that speech as a player, and I used it as a coach over the years.  But when I really thought about what it actually means,not being mentally prepared, I still don't know.  So we're going to start investigating the topic and here is the first installment on Mental Toughness.
 I'm going to reference, the following books, know that I'm only scratching the surface of all the learning nuggets in each of the titles. If something resonates with you from a certain book, by the end of this episode, I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of your own and read it in its entirety. Links to each of the titles are below. Enjoy the episode!
Grit
The Power of Passion and Perseverance
by Angela Duckworth
https://www.amazon.com/Grit-Passion-Perseverance-Angela-Duckworth/dp/1501111108?tag=entheos06-20
The Champion's Mind
How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive
by Jim Afremow
https://www.amazon.com/The-Champions-Mind-Athletes-Thrive/dp/1623365627?tag=entheos06-20
The Art of Mental Training
A Guide to Performance Excellence
By DC Gonzalez
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Mental-Training-Performance-Excellence/dp/1490581677?tag=entheos06-20
The Mindful Athlete
Secrets to Pure Performance
by George Mumford
https://www.amazon.com/The-Mindful-Athlete-Secrets-Performance/dp/1941529062?tag=entheos06-20
Teaser Clip - Mia Hamm - 10:43-11:53
Quote #2
THE VISION OF A CHAMPION
“My favorite description of what excellence in the sports world looks like comes from Anson Dorrance, the legendary University of North Carolina women’s soccer coach. He was driving to work early one morning, and as he passed a deserted field, he noticed one of his players off in the distance doing extra training by herself. He kept driving, but he later left a note in her locker: ‘The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when no one else is watching.’ The young woman, Mia Hamm, would go on to become one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Having a big dream—and a clear vision of what you will look like while pursuing competitive excellence—always inspires greatness. What is your dream goal? What does excellence in your game look like when you are fully dialed in and passionately pursuing your dream—becoming the best you can be in your sport? Make the description vivid and powerful enough to give you that burst of adrenaline when you need it, a burst that can only come from connecting completely with your heart’s true desire.”  (End Quote)