When we talk about greatness, we often focus on talent, skill, or intelligence. But the foundation of all high achievement is the ability to get through hard—to face challenges, embrace discomfort, and keep going when most people quit.

Here’s the good news: mental toughness isn’t just something you’re born with. It’s a habit that can be trained and strengthened over time. Let’s dive into the science behind willpower and explore actionable strategies to help you build unshakable resilience.

The Science Behind Willpower: The Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)

Did you know there’s a part of your brain responsible for your ability to push through challenges? It’s called the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)—the control center for willpower and mental toughness.

What Does the ACC Do?

• Regulates emotions
• Focuses attention
• Manages decision-making under stress

Simply put, it’s the part of your brain that helps you say: “I’m going to keep pushing forward, no matter what!”

The Power of Repetition: Train Your Brain to Endure

Research has shown that persistence is directly tied to the strength of your ACC. A study on weight loss revealed a surprising connection:

• Those who struggled to lose weight had smaller ACCs.
• Those who succeeded had larger ACCs.

The takeaway? The more you push yourself to do hard things, the stronger your ACC becomes. Just like lifting weights builds muscle, choosing to endure discomfort strengthens your mental fortitude.

Practical Strategies to Build Mental Toughness

For Athletes: Train Harder Than the Competition

• Make Private Workouts Harder Than Team Workouts (For Players)
• Make Team Practices Harder Than Games (For Coaches)
• Why? When practice feels like “hell,” the game becomes “heaven.”

For Everyone: Do Something Hard Every Day

Why? Consistently stepping outside your comfort zone rewires your brain to handle stress better. Hard situations stop feeling like threats and start feeling like opportunities for growth.

Here are some simple but powerful ways to challenge yourself daily:

• Take cold showers.
• Wake up earlier than you want to.
• Push through one extra set at the gym when you feel like quitting.
• Initiate that difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding.

The Ripple Effect: How This Builds Toughness

When you regularly choose discomfort over ease:

• Your tolerance for stress increases.
• You make better decisions under pressure.
• You become the person who doesn’t quit when life gets tough.

Baker Bomb Takeaway:

“You Can Be Comfortable or You Can Be Great, but You Can’t Be Both!”

Make your choice today. Choose hard. Choose growth. Choose greatness.