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

It’s small — but important.

Athletes and coaches often use mental toughness to avoid the stigma of talking about the Inner Athlete.
Over time, the myths have grown.
Well-intentioned but ill-informed playground ideas have twisted the definition — and harmed performance.

One common, pervasive myth says:

“You either have it or you don’t.”

That belief makes it impossible to train it.

Mental fitness is measurable.
Mental toughness rarely is.

That’s why we define mental fitness — so our athletes can train it.

Mentally fit athletes train their mind.
They know how to run their mind — not have it run them.
Their toolbox of mental skills is full.
They know the when, where, and how.

What’s your definition?
Building mental fitness starts there.

Follow us.
Learn more about mental fitness and training the Inner Athlete.
Let’s make an impact.