Leading mental toughness expert Doug Strycharczyk, CEO of AQR International – the UK-based publisher of the globally recognised Mental Toughness assessments – recently shared his thoughts on Brené Brown’s new book Strong Ground, which makes direct reference to the Mental Toughness framework.
“It’s great to see Brené Brown’s Strong Ground making reference to mental toughness and aligning it with her idea of ‘locking in.’ We share her view that it’s unfortunate we live in a world where being mentally tough can, for some, sometimes feel like a necessity just to get by,” said Strycharczyk.
“However, mental toughness isn’t simply about surviving hardship, it’s also about embracing uncertainty and thriving within it. It enables people to stay focused, confident, and adaptable when faced with challenge and change.”
Brown’s Strong Ground continues her long-standing exploration of courage, vulnerability, and human resilience – themes that have defined much of her career. Known worldwide for her viral TED Talk “The Power of Vulnerability” (over 23 million views and counting), Brown’s influence on how we understand emotional strength has been profound. Her previous works, including Dare to Lead, Rising Strong, and Braving the Wilderness, have cemented her as one of the most trusted voices on leadership, authenticity, and the power of connection.
In Strong Ground, Brown extends this conversation by connecting vulnerability and courage to mental toughness — a framework that describes how individuals think and respond under stress, challenge, and pressure. The 4Cs Model of Mental Toughness: Control, Commitment, Challenge, and Confidence – provides a structure for understanding why some people thrive under pressure while others struggle.
Strycharczyk noted that Brown’s idea of “locking in” resonates strongly with this framework. Yet, he also points out an important distinction in her observation that being mentally tough can feel like a “huge resource draw.”
“That’s an important observation,” he explains, “but it more accurately reflects what happens when people feel they have to act tough rather than when they are mentally tough.”
In psychological terms, mental toughness is not about suppressing emotion or forcing resilience. It’s a malleable personality trait; something that can be developed and strengthened over time. Those who are naturally more mentally sensitive may indeed find it exhausting to “act tough.” But for those higher in mental toughness, the experience is quite different.
“They experience less stress because they interpret and internalise events differently,” Strycharczyk adds. “This is supported by a growing body of research showing that higher mental toughness is negatively associated with burnout and positively associated with wellbeing and performance.”
Brown’s work has always sought to bridge science and storytelling – turning complex psychological concepts into something deeply human. By referencing the Mental Toughness framework in Strong Ground, she’s helping to shape a more nuanced understanding of strength, one that allows for both courage and compassion.
As Strycharczyk concludes:
“We appreciate Strong Ground for opening up this conversation – it’s a chance to explore how we can build environments where mental toughness helps people not just to cope, but to flourish.”
In that sense, both Brown and Strycharczyk share the same mission: redefining what it means to be strong in a world that demands so much from us, and showing that real toughness begins from the inside out.
