Expect discomfort, don’t fear it. When things get tough, say to yourself, “This is where I get better.”

Do one hard thing every day. A tougher drill, an extra rep, a tougher matchup — build your tolerance gradually.

Stop chasing perfect conditions. Windy, tired, rushed, off-days… those reps sharpen you the most.

“Discomfort is the doorway to your next level.”

David Goggins: “If you want to be great, you have to be willing to get uncomfortable.”

Normalize difficulty. Let them know frustration = progress, not failure.

Ask challenge-based questions. “What was the toughest moment today?” opens better conversations than “How did you play?”

Avoid rescuing too fast. Allow them to navigate discomfort before stepping in — that’s how resilience grows.

“If they never struggle, they never strengthen.”

Angela Duckworth: “Grit grows every time you push through discomfort.”

Make controlled discomfort part of practice. Pressure drills, timed reps, consequence games — stretch them safely.

Reinforce effort under stress. Praise how they battled, not just how they performed.

Stay steady when they’re uncomfortable. Your calm voice can regulate an entire team’s emotions.

“Comfort is the enemy of progress.”

Pete Carroll: “Pressure is a privilege — it means you’re in the arena.”