037 – The Science of Pain & Toughness (Part 2)

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

If you play baseball — or live a meaningful life — you’re going to get bruised, banged up, embarrassed, humbled, and tested. The question isn’t if pain shows up. It’s what you do next.

In Part 2 of our deep dive into pain & toughness, I break down the exact mindsets, tools, and tactics you can use to:

• Train toughness over time (gradual exposure, mental training, reframing, physical conditioning)
• Recover faster and smarter using the modern P.E.A.C.E. & L.O.V.E. framework
• Handle pain in the moment with my go-to S.E.A. WALK method—shake it off, exhale, affirm, and move forward
• And yes… even the psychology behind swearing as a pain tool (my older athletes will get it)

If you want to build real grit, raise your pain threshold, recover better, and stay composed when it hurts, this episode gives you everything you need.

Listen in and start training toughness the right way — with your brain and body working together, not against each other.

DISCLAIMER: This episode includes discussions on medical terminology and treatment options. I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. All points made and advice provided is based upon my own independent research, discussions with medical professionals and the treatment of my own/my family's pain & injuries. Please seek a qualified medical professional for the diagnosis and treatment of any pain, injury, illness or any other medical event.

00:00 Introduction & Recap of Part 1 (Understanding Pain)

01:28 Episode Goal: Moving from Understanding to Mastering Pain

02:32 Tool #1 (Preparing for Pain): Conditioning for Toughness

02:56 Step 1 - Acknowledge & Understand Multi-dimensional Pain

04:15 Step 2 - Get Comfortable with Discomfort

05:59 Step 3 - Mental Training for Pain

08:33 Step 4 - Physical Conditioning

09:43 Step 5 - Support & Recovery

11:07 Tool #2 (Recovering from Pain): P.E.A.C.E. & L.O.V.E. Framework

16:55 Tool #3 (Handling Pain in the Moment): S.E.A. WALK

20:38 Bonus Tool (NOT FOR YOUTH): Profanity as a Pain Response

23:39 Key Takeaways, Closing Thoughts & My Challenge To You