“Can’t hurt me” by David Goggins

The author 🖋

David Goggins is a New York Times bestselling author and one of the worlds most sought-after public speaker with an incredible life story.

He’s a retired Navy SEAL who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has completed 70+ ultra-distance races, held the Guinness World Record for completing 4,030 pull-ups in 17 hours and has used his platform to raise millions of dollars for charity.

Key takeaways 🎓

1. The 40% rule

When we think we’ve reached our limit, we’re actually only at 40% of our potential.

This concept suggests that we have far more in reserve than we realize.

Goggins emphasizes the significance of mental toughness and the ability to push past our self-imposed limits and shares examples how he got from rock bottom to where he is by utilizing the 40% rule in his own life.

2. Callusing the mind

Goggins believes that discomfort, pain and hardship are essential for personal growth.

Difficult experiences should be viewed as tools for growth, not obstacles to be avoided.

By deliberately facing and overcoming challenges (which he describes as "callusing the mind”) we all can develop a mindset that's better equipped to handle adversity.

3. Don't be defined by your circumstances

Despite facing immense adversity and trauma in his childhood - including physical abuse and racism - Goggins refused to let his past define him.

We have to recognize that while we can’t control the hand that we’re dealt in life, we can control how we respond.

This mindset shift gives us the feeling of control and Davids life serves as a powerful example of human capacity.

Closing thoughts 🧠

This is an inspiring memoir that showcases the incredible life journey and lessons of David Goggins, a man who overcame severe adversity - poverty, abuse, racism and obesity - to achieve extraordinary feats.

This book offers plenty of practical advice for developing mental toughness from someone who, to me, embodies the idea of a mentally strong person.