How Much Is Mental, How Much Is Physical?

The Power of Perspective

You’re probably familiar with the plank. It’s that exercise where you hold yourself up on your elbows and toes, keeping your body straight and suspended for a set time. It’s an isometric exercise, and while it challenges your muscles, I’ve found it’s often more of a mental struggle than a physical one.

Sure, there could be a hundred physical reasons why someone finds it difficult, but more often than not, it’s the mind that gives up first.

One morning, I was training a strong, fit woman in her thirties. At the end of the session, I had her hold a plank for two minutes. Based on her training experience, I knew she had the physical strength to do it.

Yet, after just one minute, she dropped down.

“It’s so hard, Leo,” she said.

“Really?” I replied.

Then, I gave her a new perspective.

*”I want you to imagine this: You’re on a massive stage, inside the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremony. You’re surrounded by thousands of spectators and all the world’s top athletes. The announcer directs everyone’s attention to center stage, where you are holding a plank.

A giant screen behind you displays a countdown timer—two minutes.

Now, imagine you drop after one minute. The stadium falls silent. You pick up the mic attached to your collar and start explaining to these Olympic athletes—people who have sacrificed their youth, their lives, and in some cases, even their health to compete at the highest level—why holding a two-minute plank was just too hard.

Do you think they would understand your struggle?”*

She immediately realized how ridiculous that sounded. This new perspective flipped a switch in her mind.

After finishing my story, I asked her to try again—another two-minute plank. Technically, she was more tired now, having already done an interrupted two minutes. Physically, this should have been even harder.

But something amazing happened.

Not only did she hold the full two minutes this time, but her form was better. She looked like she could have kept going for another two.

Mental Strength Leads to Physical Strength

This is the power of mindset. The body follows where the mind leads. When you stop negotiating with yourself and reframe the struggle, you realize you’re capable of much more than you think.

So, how much is mental? How much is physical? It’s both. But the mind is what separates those who quit from those who achieve greatness.