Embracing Mental Toughness Training

Gymnast Mental Toughnes

How do You Define Mental Toughness?

The University of Alabama gymnastics head coach Dana Duckworth has set out to become the gold standard in mental toughness.

Duckworth took over the helm at Alabama in 2015 from Sarah Patterson who coached the Crimson Tide for 36 years. Patterson had a successful reign with six NCAA Champion titles, eight SEC Champion titles and 29 NCAA Regional Champion titles.

The Crimson Tide won the SEC championship but finished fourth at the NCAA regional championship.

In order to further the Alabama legacy, Duckworth has sought for the team to develop true mental toughness (TMT).

For Duckworth, mental toughness is all about the decisions her gymnasts make on a day-to-day basis.

Mental toughness is forged in each moment, each action and each decision during the course of each training session.

If you go about your training with a mental toughness approach, you are more apt to respond to adverse competitive situations with mental toughness. That is the reason the Crimson Tide consistently practices performing under pressure.

DUCKWORTH: TMT is action, execution and what we practice in the gym every day. What the outcome of all that is living the legacy.”

Each Alabama gymnast has chosen her own definition of mental toughness, some that have personal meaning.

Senior Keely McNeer said, “We’re just really embracing that idea (of TMT) and each team member holds others accountable for training their mental toughness during practice.”

Junior Kiana Winston defines TMT as being focused at all times, blocking out potential distractions, being prepared for anything that could happen and having a backup plan when adversity hits.

McNeer defines mental toughness in terms of trusting her training, focusing in the present and constantly pushing forward.

McNEER: “No matter what is going on around you, (mental toughness) is just sticking to the plan and executing it to the best of your ability every day.”

Do you consider yourself mentally tough?

Are you able to rise above adversity or do tough circumstances take you out of your game?

The main reason some athletes are not mentally tough is that they do nothing to grow that mental strength.

If you don’t address mental toughness, nothing changes. There is no magical spell that can make you mentally tough.

Mental toughness requires that you apply mental game strategies each and every training session!

Start with a strategic mental toughness plan then execute that plan. Eventually you will see your mental toughness grow.

Strategy for developing your own brand of mental toughness:

Step #1: How do you define mental toughness? Come up with a definition of mental toughness that has personal significance. What elements would it include? What would it look like during practices and competitions?

Step #2: How can you train yourself to develop this personal and meaningful mental toughness in your daily practice? How will you replicate pressure in practice? How will you evaluate your progress?

Step #3: Who will keep you accountable? Find a qualified mental game coach. Are you willing to open up to feedback about your mental game? Are you willing to apply what you learn to your practice and meets?

Take action and do something to develop your very own brand of mental toughness.

Learn all of my secrets to improving your gymnastics mental toughness here!


Learn Mental Game Secretes to Unstoppable Confidence in Gymnastics!The Confident Gymnast

Are you ready to improve your mental toughness and perform with ultimate self-confidence in competition?

Check out The Confident Gymnast Program!

The Confident Gymnast CD and workbook program was developed not only by Dr. Cohn, but with the assistance of former gymnast Olympian Wendy Bruce.

The Confident Gymnast is ideal for any competitive gymnast. But not only do gymnasts benefit from the program, coaches and parents do as well!

Gymnasts: Get the mental edge by learning how to take control of their confidence, mentally prepare for competition, and preform with composure under pressure

Coaches: Boost your gymnasts’ confidence using simple, proven mental strategies.

Parents: Help boost your athletes’ performance. Don’t let their mind hold them back any longer!

Mental Coaches: Learn a proven system for helping your athletes boost mental toughness.

The Confident Gymnast is a complete brain dump of the TOP 8 mental training sessions we teach our gymnasts to help them boost their mental game and improve consistency- from how to mentally prepare for compeition to perorming under pressure to building unstoppable confidence.

The Confident Gymnast: Mental Game Strategies For Peak Performance

What are mental coaching students saying?

“He had the right focus and had so much fun at this competition”

“I just wanted to let you know that my son skated this weekend at our Regional’s Competition. He worked his mental game and everything you taught him. He skated two wonderful programs and scored a personal best. Thank you for your wonderful training. He had the right focus and had so much fun at this competition. As a parent is it so wonderful to see the difference from last year to this year.”
~Pam, Skating Parent


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What All Gymnasts Must Know to Overcome Perfectionism

Are you a perfectionist? What is your mindset when performing?
Here you’ll learn:
–How your mind can be your best or worst asset in competition
–If perfectionism is holding you back from reaching your peak
–The top 6 perfectionist mindsets that sabotage success
–How to use perfectionism to your advantage, not your demise

What are gymnasts saying?

“I am so grateful for your insights and experience. My focus is sharp and I feel relaxed but ready to meet whatever challenge comes up. If I make a mistake, I am able to let it go and move on immediately. You have really helped me a lot to get back on track and get things going again.”
~Suzanne Strudwick


Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!

Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.

You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!

Mental Game Coaching with Dr. Cohn

What are our mental coaching students saying?

“I enjoyed ‘The Confident Athlete’ very much. I particularly liked the format, the ease of the program, and the 2 CDs that accompanied the workbook – 10-20 minutes a day was simple to adhere to and put in my busy schedule. I love the part about confidence with grace, and what I want to portray and feel the minute I step foot into Los Angeles for nationals. I love the affirmations, the relaxation techniques, and just the entire perspective of the program.”
~Sarah, US National Aerobic Gymnastics Team

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