Famous NFL coach Vince Lombardi once said “fatigue makes cowards of us all”.

But Professor Tim Noakes, who is also famous (but in the realm of exercise science), thinks it’s the other way around.

He essentially says that if you are a bit of a 'fraidy cat' when it comes to hard work, you will naturally fatigue faster.

Short, intense metcons like Fran which is coming up in a few days, other challenges such as fast 800m runs, or 2km rows, are classic examples of physical efforts that require a certain level of mental fortitude. We don't test these a lot because the ARE demanding, and it's tough to step up day after day at this level. It's not how you're supposed to do it anyway.

For the best and broadest adaptation to fitness, we do need to do it sometimes though. And when your brain is screaming at you to drop the bar, to slow down a little, or to just have a little rest, it takes courage to ignore that voice.

The good news is that courage is not something you are only born with, it can be trained.

It’s up to you of course. Next time that voice screams at you, see if you can ignore for just ONE rep longer than you think you can. And then another, and then another, and before you know it, that voice will get quieter, drowned out the sound of you winning…..