Understanding How Mental Toughness Really Works

From Charge Forward Coaching · 43:26

Show by James Blasco

What does it really mean to be mentally tough, and can you develop mental toughness?In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, I sit down with Dr. John Perry, sports psychologist, head of Physical Education and Sports Science at the University of Limerick, researcher, and co-author of Developing Mental Toughness, for a deep dive into what mental toughness actually looks like in sports, work, and everyday life. We explore the 4 C’s of mental toughness, Control, Commitment, Challenge, and Confidence, and why it matters to understand your individual strengths and sensitivities rather than trying to become tougher in every area. Dr. Perry also explains why confidence must come from within, how self-talk can help us perform under pressure, and why elite performers stay focused on what they can do in the moment.We also discuss perfectionism, interpersonal confidence, handling pressure in sports, and why self-awareness may be one of the most important steps toward stronger performance and well-being. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, leader, or simply looking to better understand how you respond to pressure and uncertainty, this conversation offers practical insight into how mental toughness really works.Takeaways:-I think of mental toughness as the extent to which people absorb contextual stresses and their environment.-We don't necessarily want to change who people are.-I want to understand why there's a bit of a conflict here. -If we build our confidence on the things that are internally derived, that's proper robust confidence.-It's not that you're not good at networking; it's that your interpersonal confidence is quite low.-How can I get the best possible score with the swing that I brought today? -Self-talk is intentional. Thoughts happen to us.-Trying to suppress emotions is harder, but thinking, " Here's what I'm going to lean into.-Put every bit of attention, every bit of intensity, into doing that one thing you know you're really good at.-The better you understand yourself, the easier it is to understand life's situations.About the Guest: Professor John Perry is Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at the University of Limerick in Ireland and one of the leading researchers in mental toughness. With more than 20 years of academic experience, he researches mental toughness, stress, performance, resilience, and psychological assessment. He has also worked with elite performers, particularly in sport, helping individuals and teams perform more consistently under pressure.He is co-author of the third edition of Developing Mental Toughness and has contributed to the development and refinement of the MTQPlus framework used to better understand individual differences in mental toughnessGuest Resources:University of Limerick - https://www.ul.ie/AQR International - https://aqrinternational.co.uk/About the Host: James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in NFL media relations. His diverse experiences have given him a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to succeed. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.Host Resources: Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoachingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoachingSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoachingApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

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