For most people, a marathon of 26.2 miles is a lot. It's tough to imagine running that far. An ultra-marathoner can run up to 100 miles, which is almost four marathons. What makes a marathoner different from an ultra-marathoner?

It's all in the mind.

You can go farther than you think.

Mind over matter is a natural phenomenon. Mind over matter means you can control a physical condition or problem by using the mind. When it comes to running for so long, humans can influence the perception of pain you may or may not be experiencing.

Research by scientists at Stanford University found that convincing someone they had a positive or negative genetic predisposition such as a low capacity for exercise or a tendency to overeat can cause the body to react accordingly.

The mind is more powerful than we may realize.

Our mental strength helps us manage our thoughts, control our emotions, and increase our productivity. If you are mentally strong, you'll be able to focus your mental energy on the things that matter most.

You can learn to control your mind through practice.

Let's dive into some examples of how we can control our minds to accomplish unthinkable feats.

Mind Over Matter in Action

Let's start with Marshall Ulrich, who is called "The Endurance King," according to Outside magazine. He has finished 130 ultra-marathons (averaging more than 125 miles each).

Ulrich has also reached the top of the highest peak on each of the seven continents, including the tallest mountain on Earth: Mount Everest that stands 29,035 feet above sea level.

Oh yeah, and he reached all of these peaks on the first try.

He has also finished 12 adventure races comprised of mountaineering, kayaking, and bushwhacking through the jungle. Ulrich is one of America's most iconic endurance athletes.

In his book Running on Empty, he talks about how he ran from San Francisco, California, to New York City in 52 days. His run was the same as running a little over two marathons a day for two straight months. He did this run at 57 years old.

He is not the only one who can control his mind to do unthinkable things.

Joe McConaughy ran the entire Appalachian Trail that goes through 14 states along the Appalachian Mountain Range. He started in Georgia and ended in Maine.

McConaughy broke the speed record for running the trail by 10 hours. He finished the run in 45 days, 12 hours, and 15 minutes. Oh yeah, and he did it by himself with no crew following him along the journey.

You can learn a lot from these incredible feats. It's all about your mind and you have the power to become mentally tough.

How Do You Develop Mental Toughness?

Mental toughness is about remaining consistent in the face of complex challenges and recover quickly from defeats. It is a measure of your resilience and confidence to make things happen despite obstacles.

"I always say the only limitations are in your mind, and if you don't buy into those limits, you can do a helluva lot more than you imagine." — Marshall Ulrich

People with mental toughness can guide their minds to do extraordinary things. They focus on small behaviors, develop a routine that gets them going no matter how they feel, and stick to a training schedule.

Mentally tough people can push past a mental "wall" that occurs when things get tough mentally and physically.

"It takes hard work to accomplish the extraordinary. There are no shortcuts. But the rewards will far outweigh the sweat equity and effort." — Marshall Ulrich

To develop mental toughness, you need to be ready for anything. Welcome challenges that come your way. Mind over matter needs to become part of everything you do because there is a correlation between your mindset and behavior.

What are the top characteristics of people with mental toughness?

1. They Have Confidence

Mentally strong people have the confidence to embrace failure head-on. Mental toughness gives you the confidence to be more adaptable, positive, and productive. Confidence is a byproduct of your mental attitude.

Mental toughness helps you become confident in yourself and be positive so that you will beat the odds and have the inner strength to succeed. When you have confidence in your abilities, you have the drive to grow yourself.

2. They Are Not Overwhelmed

Mentally tough people are not overwhelmed by emotions such as anger, love, jealousy, or anxiety. They know how to embrace change. They can intelligently control their feelings.

People who are overwhelmed lose control and are unable to take positive action. They often seek therapy. Mentally tough people are the opposite.

3. They Are Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

When you become too comfortable, your mental toughness can be eroded. Mentally tough people live comfortably in a state of discomfort. They become comfortable being uncomfortable.

"The more you seek the uncomfortable, the more you'll become comfortable." — Conor McGregor, a mixed martial artist, and boxer

Mentally tough people grow because they embrace the pain. They push through the mental barrier until it becomes comfortable and normal. They practice this skill in different situations, and it becomes part of how they continue to expand their comfort zone.

4. They Laugh at Themselves

Mentally tough people can laugh at themselves. They know laughter is one of the best medicines for stress relief. Laughter helps us make life more tolerable.

Laughter is an excellent gift because it simplifies the complex and clarifies confusion. It is essential to making us feel better and surviving when things get tough. Laughter gives you mental strength, and it's vital to your long-term sanity.

"The human race has only one really effective weapon, and that is laughter." — Mark Twain, an American writer

The Enduring Mindset

The bottom line is that the only limit is in your head. Runners say that people's psyche gets in the way, and it limits your thinking. If they have an enduring mindset to make all of this happen, so can you.

Overcoming your negative thoughts is something you can do. You can get rid of your restrictions. Your mind is a powerful organ.

The only limits you have are in your brain. For more significant personal and professional growth, look deeply at your daily attitude.

You create limitations in your mind.

You can develop the skill because mental toughness is something we are not born with. We learn how to control our mind and push through.

Bringing It All Together

You don't have to be like Ulrich or McConaughy to have mental toughness. We all can face tough challenges, overcome setbacks, and find deeper meaning in the hard times. There are benefits to overcoming adversity and increasing your mental health by learning that your limitation is all in your mind.

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