Mental Toughness vs. Mental Fitness: What’s the Difference?

It’s not small—and it’s important.

Athletes and coaches often lean on the phrase mental toughness to avoid the stigma of talking about the harder stuff: mental fitness, mental health, emotions.

The problem? The myths get reinforced every day in conversations, through social media, and in well-intentioned but ill-informed “playground” ideas. The result? A shifting definition of toughness that actually harms performance.

One common—and damaging—myth says: “You either have it or you don’t.”
If that’s true, then how can you ever train it?

That’s the difference:

• Mental fitness is measurable.
  
  

• Mental toughness rarely is.
  
  

At our core, we define mental fitness so athletes can train it.

Mentally fit athletes train their mind. They know how to run their mind—rather than letting their mind run them. Their toolbox of mental skills is full. They know the when, the where, and the how.

So, what’s your definition? Building mental fitness starts there.

Follow us to learn more about training the Inner Athlete. Let’s make an impact—together.

Want to change the conversation to mental fitness? Don’t gamble. We can teach you how—through our books, keynotes, trainings, or one-on-one and group coaching sessions.