Mental Toughness

Latest Articles

April 23, 2013 | Dustin Brady

Chief Austin Randolph knows the value of getting punched in the face. New Jersey National Guard Chief Randolph led the Guard’s Combatives program from 2008 to 2010 at the Warrior Training Center at Fort Benning, Ga., where he taught soldiers Judo,...

Boot Camp for the Brain

September 12, 2012 | Dustin Brady

Today’s soldiers undergo mental training, which is just as important as their physical training. Both soldiers and athletes need clear minds to make sure they perform well under pressure. Here are three mental exercises used by members of the U.S....

Develop Mental Toughness: Lessons From Plebe Summer

March 24, 2012 | Dustin Brady

At the U.S. Naval Academy, every first-year midshipman (plebe) undergoes six weeks of intense training. During “Plebe Summer,” plebes are broken down by upperclassmen (detailers) so they can grow into world-class officers. This article offers a brief look at one...

How I Broke Through My Mental Barriers to Get into the Best Shape of My Life

November 23, 2011 | SFC William Ramos

When I was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, I wasn’t anybody’s idea of a perfect soldier. I was 25 pounds over my target weight and eating way too much fast food. Because I wanted to lead my platoon the right...

10 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work Out Daily

October 22, 2011 | Stew Smith

Although most recruits say they want to get in the best shape of their life before Basic Training, few ever put in the work necessary to get there. The good news is that whether you want to lose weight before...