Huberman: Building Mental Grit Through Exercise
The Science of Grit
There's a fascinating part of your brain called the anterior mid cingulate cortex (AMCC) that's directly linked to what we call grit. Research shows that successful people who achieve their goals - whether in dieting, exercise, or skill challenges - have larger AMCCs. The opposite is also true: those who fail to reach their goals experience a shrinking of this crucial brain region.
Building Mental Toughness
The key to strengthening your AMCC? Do things you genuinely don't want to do. Not dangerous or harmful activities, but challenging tasks that push you out of your comfort zone. This isn't just theory - brain imaging studies have shown that AMCC activity increases during effort estimation and when people push themselves to persevere. It's the neural basis of what we call willpower.
The Cold Truth
For me, cold exposure has become my AMCC workout of choice. While I enjoy cold plunges after a hot sauna or workout, forcing myself to do it when I'd rather not is what really counts. Every step - walking to the cold plunge, removing the lid, and finally submerging - requires overcoming internal resistance. This practice has become crucial in building mental grit.
Finding Your Challenge
The beauty of AMCC training is that it's entirely personal. What matters is that you choose something you genuinely dislike but that's still safe and beneficial. For me, it's incorporating rope flow exercises - a coordinated rope movement practice that I currently struggle with. The moment you start enjoying your chosen challenge, it's time to find something new. That's the paradox of growth: the things we resist often become the things that make us stronger.
The Long Game
This isn't just about short-term gains. A strong AMCC is associated with "super aging" - maintaining cognitive function well into old age. By regularly doing what we'd rather not, we're not just building character; we're literally reshaping our brains for long-term resilience and performance.