A former Navy SEAL commander reveals why mental toughness actually hurts performance under pressure, and shares the psychological flexibility techniques that help you thrive in high-stakes situations.

샌프란시스코에서 컬럼비아 대학교 동문들이 만들었습니다
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샌프란시스코에서 컬럼비아 대학교 동문들이 만들었습니다

**Lena:** Hey Miles, I just read something that completely flipped my thinking about pressure situations. You know how we're always told to "toughen up" when things get intense?
**Miles:** Oh absolutely, that whole "mental toughness" approach, right? Grit your teeth, push through, be like a Navy SEAL?
**Lena:** Exactly! But here's the thing - a former Navy SEAL commander is actually saying that's the wrong approach. He argues that mental toughness can actually make you perform worse under pressure because it turns challenges into threats.
**Miles:** Wait, that's fascinating. So what does he recommend instead?
**Lena:** Mental flexibility. And get this - he says the key difference between people who thrive under pressure versus those who crumble isn't about being tougher. It's about learning to work with your mind rather than being ruled by it. The research backs this up too - studies show that psychological flexibility leads to better performance and mental health.
**Miles:** That makes so much sense. I mean, when you're rigid, you can't adapt to unexpected changes. So let's dive into what this actually looks like in practice.