The Fortitude Chronicle: A Weekly Digest of Athletic Determination

Monday’s Mindset

I have now interviewed 15 of the world's best performance psychologists and psychiatrists who have experience across all professional sports leagues. Moving forward, I will continue to provide a link to the show in this newsletter. Athletes face a multitude of mental and physical challenges, and there is never just one factor or solution. My mission is to ensure that no athlete can ever say, "I couldn't access the resources I needed to achieve mental well-being." That is the purpose of the podcast, newsletter, and coaching program. Anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background, should have the ability to access this information. I understand what it feels like to be stuck and to hit rock bottom. I am here to help all of us develop the mental and emotional strength not only to feel good but to perform at our highest potential. With that in mind, let's delve into some key themes that arise in every discussion. While each interview is unique, certain important topics consistently resurface. Let's explore three of them:

1. No matter how great your coaches and support system may be, it ultimately starts and ends with you. If you don't prioritize your own well-being and growth, nothing else matters. You must consciously choose to pursue what is best for yourself. You have the ability, capacity, and responsibility to maximize your mental and physical talents. If you don't, no external factor will magically "save" you. It all comes down to our own actions. Personally, I wouldn't have it any other way. It brings me peace knowing that I have control over my life. When you take accountability and ownership of your life, it is truly empowering. Others may not matter as much as we think they do. The power lies within you. When you focus outward, you give away your power. When you look inward, you always retain the power. If there's a problem, you are the solution. If there's an obstacle, you are the path forward. Be the catalyst in your own life, and then you can effectively utilize the resources around you.

2. The notion of something being "scientifically proven" can be misleading. Just because something has scientific evidence doesn't guarantee it will work for you. If something that lacks scientific backing works for you, continue doing it. Of course, it's ideal to explore strategies supported by scientific data. However, you can't force a square peg into a round hole. It all comes back to self-understanding. Who are you at your core? What are your values? What motivates you? What do you care about? What brings you joy and fulfillment? Once you have a deep understanding of yourself, you can explore various solutions to enhance your mental and physical capabilities. Additionally, it's important to try new mental exercises, just like training in the weight room. Experiment with different approaches and determine what works best for you. As you uncover effective techniques, incorporate them into your routine.

3. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. All aspects of training, including physical, mental, diet, sport-specific preparation, sleep, and rest, must work together harmoniously. You can't simply focus on one area and expect it to solve all the others. It doesn't work that way, even if we wish it did. The more committed we are to each aspect, the better the results will be. It's crucial to recognize that the goalposts are always moving, and information is constantly evolving. We need to remain adaptable in our approach. However, we must also be steadfast and disciplined in our commitment to tackle every aspect head-on. When we do that, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

I am truly passionate about what I do. However, the most important practice I advocate for is helping individuals recognize that they are the solution. Everything else is merely a tool at their disposal. Those who thrive in life and athletics understand the power they hold within themselves.

To Building Fortitude forever and always.

Best Regards,

Colin Jonov, Founder & CEO Athletic Fortitude

P.S. Want to share your experiences or challenges with us? Reply to this newsletter or connect with me on social media @ColkyJonov10. I’m here to support you on your journey!

If you've been enjoying our newsletter and finding it valuable, we would greatly appreciate it if you could forward it to your friends, family, or teammates who you think would benefit from it. By spreading the word, you'll be helping us reach more people who can benefit from our shared knowledge and insights!