We are a basketball family (Bucks, Thunder and Spurs as well as the Sydney Kings) and know how important mental toughness is for the success of the individual and the team.
Shaquille O’Neal was a giant of a man on the court. Listed at 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall and weighing 325 pounds (147 kg), he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA and won 3 of his 4 championship rings with the LA Lakers.
In this short–ish ABC News Nightline video he talks about his own mental toughness comprising a supreme focus and drive to be the best. Here he is dunking Oreos not basketballs, using EEG technology and demonstrating the power of the brain to make the body perform.
The video also includes cameos from Simone Biles, current Olympic champion gymnast (check out her photo with Shaq), champion tennis player Serena Williams who describes her ongoing success as being 70% mental, and former NFL Quarterback great, Peyton Manning.
Being mentally tough improves your performance and wellbeing in every facet of your personal and professional life.
Mental Toughness is a personality trait that determines your ability to perform consistently under stress and pressure, and is closely related to qualities such as character, resilience, grit and perseverance.
A personality trait which determines, in large part, how people respond to challenge, stress and pressure, irrespective of their circumstances.
Professor Peter Clough, Professor of Applied Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University and a pioneer on research into Mental Toughness further describes a mentally tough person as “someone who is comfortable in their own skin, can take whatever comes along in their stride and mostly enjoy the challenge”.
Mental Toughness isn’t being macho or uncaring or self-centred – it is about being tough in the sense of not giving up and being confident that you can prevail, even if the odds are stacked against you.
Contact us to learn more on developing your mental toughness.