Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash - Image by Val Marion
There is always a moment in our life, or during a workout, when our body protests, and our mind looks for the exit door. Sometimes it’s at the third kilometre, sometimes on the first page of a course or training session. Short breath, a thought saying « Not today! » or « I won’t have time ». This little moment, the one where everything seems to tilt, is also the moment when our inner strength can and must express itself…
- Mental walls -
Obstacles don’t come only from the body. Often, what slows us down is invisible and hides in our thoughts or habits. The main mental walls are well known, but rarely acknowledged for what they really represent :
Fatigue : Not just physical tiredness. It’s that little voice saying « You’ve already done enough » before even starting.
Dehydration : A simple oversight that turns every effort into an ordeal with a heavy head, loss of rhythm, and quick discouragement.
Lack of sleep : Without rest, the mind becomes imprecise and everything feels harder than it really is, and we especially expose ourselves to the danger of injury.
Unbalanced nutrition : A poorly fuelled body responds less effectively. Endurance and focus drop as soon as energy runs low.
Stress : When the mind is cluttered, it stays trapped in worries and everything becomes an internal battle.
Boredom : When movement loses its soul, it becomes nothing more than a mechanism that drains effort of meaning.
Doubt : The most insidious. It doesn’t shout, it whispers. And that’s enough to make us quit before even starting.
Understanding these walls isn’t about using them as excuses. We must learn to recognize them so we can slip through them or break them.
- The Three Dimensions -
McClelland’s theory sheds light on something fundamental… personal power is not an abstract concept. It expresses itself through three forces that we naturally mobilize when trying to push past a limit :
Influence of others : Inspiring someone, even unintentionally, creates inner momentum. A simple « We’ll do this together » can push us out of our comfort zone.
Control over our environment : Organizing our space, schedule, tools. Removing visible obstacles so we can face the invisible ones. Power often begins with a concrete and sometimes discreet detail.
Self-mastery : The most decisive dimension. Speaking to ourselves with respect. Recentring. Breathing. Holding three more seconds. These acts are small, but repeated, they make the difference.
- Maintaining Energy -
Inner power isn’t enough without the physical foundations supporting it. To remain solid and resilient, a few pillars are essential :
Hydration and nutrition : The very fuel of movement. What we drink and eat shapes our capacity to endure.
Rest and recovery : Rest is not giving up. It’s the silent reconstruction of strength.
Variety : Changing rhythm, activity, format keeps the brain engaged and the body curious.
A motivating environment : Music, atmosphere, colleagues, partners, friends… These are strong levers to overcome moments of fatigue.
Realistic goals : Breaking down a goal into many smaller, achievable steps allows us to accumulate victories instead of waiting for a single grand triumph.
- Concrete Techniques -
When a mental wall rises before us, there are simple, effective tools to get through it without force :
Positive self-talk : Replacing « I can’t do this » or « I can’t do it anymore » with « Come on, just one » or « Just one more ». Not to lie to ourselves, but to support ourselves.
Visualization : The brain works with what we show it. Close your eyes and picture yourself making the effort before starting, then imagine the moment you finish, the feeling afterward, the pride.
Presence : Focusing on the movement, the immediate sensation, the breath. The body knows what to do and will follow.
Deep breathing : It brings oxygen where anxiety and doubt might settle.
Rewards : Mark progress, even the smallest ones. Reinforce the idea that effort is worthwhile.
Interpersonal connections : Working with partners or joining a group can increase engagement.
Guided meditation : A few minutes are enough to calm a scattered mind and find an inner anchor.
Conclusions
Inner strength is not spectacular. It doesn’t look like a victory scream or a burst of energy.
Most of the time, it’s a steady breath, one more step, a decision made in a difficult moment. Becoming mentally strong doesn’t mean avoiding obstacles, but learning to cross them with clarity.
Every success is a repetition of gestures : recognizing the walls, leaning against them for a moment, then moving forward anyway. And over time, we discover that we’re not only capable of holding on. We’re capable of transforming ourselves.
What do you think?
