Mental Toughness: - Page 2

Brendon Katz · 01-09-2007, 12:54 PM

yeh my first comp i went for fedor-like calmness, and that didnt work for me. i felt the nerves, i just didnt want to show em. i thought if i hide it well enough, it would disappear. needless to say , it didnt. my cornerman told me he could see my body was relaxed, but mentally i was way too nervous. so my 2nd time, i embraced the adrenalin, letting it hype me up. i was bouncing around like 30 minutes before go time, and when it kicked off, i was incredibly calm and lucid. even at certain times i felt i was in danger, i was told i looked very calm.

basically what im saying is adrenalin is definitely your friend, provided you have the wind to back it up. to barstardise a really smart saying - fear is like a fire, it can heat your house if you keep it under control, or it can burn it down.

**Sonny** · 01-09-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parallax86

yeh my first comp i went for fedor-like calmness, and that didnt work for me. i felt the nerves, i just didnt want to show em. i thought if i hide it well enough, it would disappear. needless to say , it didnt. my cornerman told me he could see my body was relaxed, but mentally i was way too nervous. so my 2nd time, i embraced the adrenalin, letting it hype me up. i was bouncing around like 30 minutes before go time, and when it kicked off, i was incredibly calm and lucid. even at certain times i felt i was in danger, i was told i looked very calm.

basically what im saying is adrenalin is definitely your friend, provided you have the wind to back it up. to barstardise a really smart saying - fear is like a fire, it can heat your house if you keep it under control, or it can burn it down.

The days leading up to the fight were the worst for me.

Bamaispriceless · 01-09-2007, 02:50 PM

As someone who has a medical disorder in which I have enough adrenaline for 4-1/2 grown men, adrenaline can kill you aswell. Luckily I take very good meds for it, so I can keep it in check.

**Sonny** · 01-09-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamaispriceless

As someone who has a medical disorder in which I have enough adrenaline for 4-1/2 grown men, adrenaline can kill you aswell. Luckily I take very good meds for it, so I can keep it in check.

Same with me, diagnosed as part of my anxiety disorder. Basically the doctor said I'm at a heightened level of arousal most of the time and have higher adrenaline levels than normal. I liken it to a permanent feeling of paranoia.

Bamaispriceless · 01-09-2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny

Same with me, diagnosed as part of my anxiety disorder. Basically the doctor said I'm at a heightened level of arousal most of the time and have higher adrenaline levels than normal. I liken it to a permanent feeling of paranoia.

I think we probably have the same "anxiety disorder" (even though it probably doesn't even effect us much). I don't know the exact name, but my Dad and Sister both have it...but the doctor said I have the worst case in my family.

How has it effected your performance? I am in very good shape for my age (certainly not bragging, others are in better shape), but if I don't take my medicine I can tell a difference when I do high intensity workous (MMA class, II, etc).

Bamaispriceless · 01-09-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Kabuki

There's not really a whole lot of info to it. Meditation is very indvidual, so however you meditate if you do...and as your breathing deepens and becomes more rythmic, and your mind begins to empty, you fill it with visions of being stabbed, shot, poisoned, burned, beheaded, etc.

Not trying to be rude whatsoever KK, but that sounds sort of scary. Isn't thinking about that kind of freaky and depressing?

Sohan · 01-09-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Coe

I think there is a distinct difference between physical and emotional toughness.

I think when other people are brought into the equation, it tends to cross over (plus theres the experience side of things-physically you can push yourself when ever where ever, but emotionally there have to be certain stimuli)

I agree. Good point.

**Sonny** · 01-09-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamaispriceless

How has it effected your performance? I am in very good shape for my age (certainly not bragging, others are in better shape), but if I don't take my medicine I can tell a difference when I do high intensity workous (MMA class, II, etc).

It doesn't really hinder my training except that I sometimes go too hard and put myself at risk for injury. The worst is when I "break down" from having higher than normal levels of arousal for long periods of time. These breakdowns can vary from severe (i.e. getting emotional/crying) to less severe (sleeping in until noon). My anxiety is to the point where i sometimes lose hope and am unsure whether I should listen to myself or not.

Bamaispriceless · 01-09-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny

It doesn't really hinder my training except that I sometimes go too hard and put myself at risk for injury. The worst is when I "break down" from having higher than normal levels of arousal for long periods of time. These breakdowns can vary from severe (i.e. getting emotional/crying) to less severe (sleeping in until noon). My anxiety is to the point where i sometimes lose hope and am unsure whether I should listen to myself or not.

Well, I think we may have different anxiety disorders after all. My anxiety deals with panic attacks in certain situations (ie: flying in planes...no, I'm not afraid of flying or heights, but something about that situation causes panic attacks; etc).

Ian Coe · 01-09-2007, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny

It doesn't really hinder my training except that I sometimes go too hard and put myself at risk for injury. The worst is when I "break down" from having higher than normal levels of arousal for long periods of time. These breakdowns can vary from severe (i.e. getting emotional/crying) to less severe (sleeping in until noon). My anxiety is to the point where i sometimes lose hope and am unsure whether I should listen to myself or not.

You sound like me

I was diagnosed with ME when I was about 13 (hi achiever in sports, in swimming and tennis burnt me out so the consensus goes) and until it stabilised (although it hits me every now and then again), I was all over the place.

I did (and do when certain aspects crop up) get really emotional, usually it would result in anger, but if I couldn't release it I would become frustrated to hell and begin to cry (....this isn't a recent thing I might add....)