Mental Toughness is Often Misunderstood Most people think mental toughness is about pushing through pain, grinding it out, and finding a way to finish strong when things get difficult.

Research shows that individuals who face life with a mindset of tragic optimism—in particular, those who expect a fair share of change and hardship—have advantageous physical and psychological responses to stress. They feel less pain, gain more fortitude, and are more likely to successfully move forward following disruption.