When you think of the word tough, what comes to mind? Do you think of an object that is tough to break down, meat that is overcooked, or an individual who has overcome great obstacles to find victory? This week we’ll explore what true toughness is and how sports are the perfect vehicle to teach it.
The definition of toughness says it is the ability to withstand great strain without tearing or breaking; being strong and resilient. Too often toughness is only associated with individuals who possess great physical strength. For men, too many of us think we have to be overly macho, show no emotion, and be really, really ridiculously strong in order to be tough. That simply is not true. You don’t have to be all muscle and brawn in order to be tough. When I think of men who have a distorted view of what tough is, I think of those who always feel the need to pick fights. I think of the guys in the gym who load the bar up with weights, stare at themselves in the mirror, have a five-minute routine for each lift, and actually spend more time socializing than working out. Society has a distorted view of what tough is, and we need to change. Athletics offer the perfect setting in order to do this.
