Teach your Child Mental Toughness

I constantly see people training in my martial arts, fitness center and LA Fitness where I also workout at and I’m amazed to see them year after year struggling, not making gains or just plain giving up and quitting.

We consider our school a martial arts life skills training center due to our strength and conditioning and preparing our athletes to be mentally and physically tough. We call this tough love. Most of our black belts are honor roll students, high achievers and great athletes excelling in other sports. Yet, I hear some parents tell me that their child could never do 100 pushups, which is required for Jr Black Belt. Some even tell me that their child will never do 1 push up. This negative mind set destroys the chances of that child succeeding. I strongly believe that a child that earns a junior black belt in our system is a product of great parenting.

Our policy at Anta’s Fitness & Self Defense is that when a student doesn't come to class we call them to see how they are doing and how we can motivate them to come back to class. I'm amazed to hear what some parents have told me. I have had parents tell me that their child is bored with our classes just as they got bored with basketball, baseball, football and other activities. Wow, would that parent let their child quit school in 1st grade because they were bored with math or reading? Do those parents know the harm that they are doing their children by letting them give up and quit? Do they know that they are raising children that will start and quit activities and never complete or excel in any? Don’t they know that teaching a child not to quit helps them develop mental toughness?

Most people are way stronger than they believe they are and can push way more than they do. Imagine if you were being chased by a pit bull how much faster you would run. A few years ago I went through the toughest physical training I've been through since Marine Corps Boot Camp in 1980. I send 10 1/2 hours for 3 days pushing myself mentally and physically to survive and become an ECF (Extreme Combat Fitness) certified instructor. I really had to push myself pass my perceived limits which in turn help me surpass my mental toughness.

The journey to excellence involves many missed lifts, mistakes in sparring and frustrating days when you know you "could have done better". Consistent hard work, done in a smart, dedicated way will bring results. Champions don't quit when they have a bad training session or day. They get some rest and come back again, and move ahead. They stay coachable and focused. They work around blisters, strained muscles, bloody shins, and utter fatigue. Think of today as a new beginning, set your goals, get mentally tough and you will succeed.