Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

“What is to give light   must endure burning” – Viktor Frankl         David Goggins is supposed to end up as a statistic, let alone write this book. He had everything going against him...born as an African American kid, poverty, domestic abuse, bullied at school, a stutter and he also had a severe learning disability. He was all set to end up in a job, spraying for cockroaches at night and earning $1000 per month. He was pretty much resigned to this way of life, plonking on the couch, stuffing himself with junk food and being an overweight man...but destiny had something else planned for him.       In this no-holds-barred memoir, CAN’T HURT ME, David Goggins takes us through his traumatic childhood, being abused by his father physically, being taunted by his school friends in Mexico and racism that he had to go through as a kid. Given the hard childhood he went through; it wouldn’t be surprising if he had ended up in a prison for drugs or any other crime as a juvenile. Luckily, David didn’t tread that path and the rest is history...The day that changed his life for the better: The day he began to take charge of his destiny started out like any other day.One night, after coming from his night shift, he switched on TV and saw Navy SEALs getting their ass kicked during that gruesome hell week...where the officers will try their best to test your limits and break your soul. While watching those images, something clicked and he just knew that is exactly what he wanted to do in his life. Throughout his life, he kept taking the easy way out and becoming a Navy SEAL is exactly what he wanted to do...so he can face himself and be proud of himself. That’s when he gave up his job and started working towards this ephemeral dream of becoming a Navy SEAL.          “My life was devoid of any drive and passion, but I knew           if I continued to surrender to my fear and my            feelings of inadequacy, I would be allowing them to            dictate my future forever. My only other choice was            to try to find the power in the emotions that had            laid me low, harness and use them to empower           me to rise up, which is what I did.”                   However, the road to becoming a Navy SEAL was not easy. At that time, he weighed a whopping 297lbs. He had less than 3 months to lose 109lbs and also get through the ASVAB test in 5 weeks. Most of the recruiters took one look at him and politely said he didn’t have any chance. Schaljo, seemed to find some spark in him and gave him a chance. That is all David needed at that time. Someone who believed in him and his latent potential. After 3 months of working hard on himself ...he finally passed that test and made it to Navy SEALs.        He not only became a Navy SEAL, but he also ended up going through hell week thrice and is probably the only person to go through Hell week thrice and lived to tell the tale!!!             “The reason its important to push hardest              when you want to quit the most is because              it helps you callous your mind. It’s the same              reason why you have to do your best work              when you are the least motivated.”One gift that David had was the gift of visualisation. He could always see himself walking through those hallowed halls of Navy SEALs building and that is exactly how he achieved that dream. In 2001, he became the 36th African American BUD/S graduate in Navy SEAL history!!!Becoming a Navy SEAL (2001) has opened up more avenues for him and not one to rest on laurels, he also enrolled into US Air Force Tactical Air Control Party Traffic and also graduated from Army Ranger School (2004) with the distinction of enlisted “Top Honor Man”. He was also part of many international covert operations.           In this book, he also refers to the ‘40% rule’, his belief that most of us only tap into 40% of our capabilities. According to him, we only tap into 40% of our potential and our mind gives up, once we reach 40% of our ability. This is where champions like David are made. He believes we need to push past our mind’s chatter to achieve excellence in life...physically and mentally.         “Sadly, most of us give up when we’ve only given           around 40% of our maximum effort. Even when           we feel like we’ve reached our absolute limit,           we still have 60% more to give! It's simply a           matter of stretching your pain intolerance,          letting go of your identity and all your self-limiting stories,          so you can get to 60%, then 80% and beyond without giving up.”David also mentions the ‘Cookie Jar’ method, to push himself to greater glory. Whenever we set ambitious goals and go after them...there comes a time where boredom, pain and self doubt kicks in and we are almost ready to hang up our boots...thinking ‘it can’t be done’, ‘its far-fetched’ and ‘too hard to achieve’ etc. That’s when we can use this “Cookie jar method” where you can either write in a list of all things you have overcome in the past or remember those incidents to fuel you further in life and succeed in the heat of battle!           “Include life’s obstacles you’ve overcome as well,             like quitting smoking, overcoming depression or a stutter.            Add in those minor tasks you failed earlier in life,            but tried again a 2nd or 3rd time and ultimately             succeeded at. Feel what it was like to overcome             those struggles, those opponents, and win”                      Another turning point came in Goggins life when he lost several of his friends in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2005, he started running as a way to support severely wounded warriors and their families. Since 2005, he has helped raise funds and awareness for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation(SOWF), which provides scholarships and grants to the children of the fallen special operations soldiers.          So far, he has raised more than 2 million for this foundation(and counting). And he has been running in marathons ever since ...to raise money for this noble cause.        When you are in a dark place, you have two options to choose from. First option - you can let that darkness consume you and be stuck in that hell hole forever. The other option - take that darkness, hurt and everything that is going against you and FLIP THAT NARRATIVE!!! Use that pain as a fuel to propel you forward.         And that is exactly what David has done. He used that angst to push him to greater heights, to achieve things no one has ever achieved. It is this fighting spirit that made him one of the most decorated men in the USA and was also honoured with 2018 Americanism Award by VFW.           As a child, he used to stutter (common among kids who come from abusive childhood) and now, he has become one of the major recruiters for NAVY, visiting different parts of the USA and sharing his story and encouraging kids to dream a bigger dream. He has become a role model not only for African Americans but for people across the world.           After retiring from the Army, he has become an active speaker and is a source of inspiration to countless people across the world!          He is also one of the greatest endurance athletes in the world. He has completed 60 ultra-marathons, triathlons, setting new records and regularly placing in the top 5. He also set a Guinness world record with 4,030 pull-ups in 17hours. No wonder he is referred as “the toughest man on the planet”        “We each have a lot more in us than we know, and           when it comes to endurance sports like ultra running,           everyone can achieve feats they once           thought impossible. In order to do that we must           change our minds, be willing to scrap our identity,           and make the extra effort to always find           more in order to become more.”                  It is very easy to live with “victim’s mentality” and hide behind excuses and blame someone else for the way your life is. What is hard is to take responsibility for your life and work towards a better life and David has shown us by the way he had changed his life narrative.          Just as in Bible, we have David, who slew Goliath with a swing and a few stones...here David slew many Goliath’s in his life, such as ignorance, awkwardness, obesity, weak mind, being a quitter, not being accountable, his stutter, abusive childhood, racism and flipped all these issues and used them as a springboard to launch him into greatness and become invincible.David’s work ethic is the single most important factor in all of his impressive accomplishments. David has achieved some incredible physical feats because he believed he could and also backed it up by putting in the work. He didn’t achieve all these feats on his first attempt. He failed his way to success.          That is one of the biggest takeaways from this memoir. He wasn’t offered all these glorious titles on a platter. He worked his way to success and always looked to the next impossible task to take on.     “You cant let a simple failure derail your mission,      or let it worm up so far up your ass it takes over your      brain and sabotages your relationships with people      who are close to you. Everyone fails sometimes and      life isn’t supposed to be fair, much less bend to your every whim.”I firmly believe, everyone will go through something that shatters them to their very core and we can either let those incidents in life to paralyse us or we can use these experiences to fuel us and propel us forward. The choice is always with us.         And David didn’t succumb to this negativity that the world has thrown at him. Instead, he turned these things and used them to his advantage to propel him forward...to a better life filled with passion, drive, meaning and purpose.         David always wanted to become ‘Uncommon amongst uncommon crowd’ and he ended up becoming a trailblazer!!!         I’ve been hesitating to review this one because I cannot possibly write objectively about what is decidedly my most favourite memoir ever. I have loved other books, I will love others, but this will have a special place in my heart as its none other than (The)David Goggins memoir. What elevates it from great to one of my absolute favourites, is the actionable steps that he lays out at the end of each chapter. He distills down the lessons he learnt as a list of questionnaire/exercises for you to work with.           There are many books out there that expand your mind, educate you, show you the way forward and inspire you. This book is special, because it not only does all the above but also compels you to take ACTION! Reading this book makes you want to run up a mountain and sign up for Marathons. It pushes you to become the best version of yourself and live your grandest dreams and also inspire people around you.         Strength comes in many forms. While David’s story not only shows us an incredible display of strength, it is also Herculean mental strength! That fortitude to do, to overcome, to be more than what others think you are capable of. That is the rarest and most powerful of strengths to train.         Thank You David Goggins for showing us the way forward and for being an inspiration for millions across the world. You have inspired a generation of people to live their best life and to keep pushing harder and further in life!!!Read it!!! It’s one of the most transformative books I've ever read!!!📖🙏💥

Undoubtedly, it's a good book to read.It's a story of a man who refused to bend, who refused to accept the 'normal'.However, it talks excessively about conquering the mind over physical pains, it talks to great lengths about how athletic capabilities can be shaped and developed. But it didn't talk much on mental capabilities.If I would've been an athlete or a gym freak for that matter of fact, I would have drawn immense inspiration for this read.I am not too much into physical training but this book has still motivated me to go running every single day. But I am working full time and I am also a student with ambitions of sharpening my mind to optimise my mental/learning potential. There were times when I was lost while reading about the physical injuries in details because I couldn't relate to it much. Also, there were times when it felt that this book isn't for me. But overall I enjoyed the story of a man achieving impossibles.This book wasn't the absolute one for me but it has still motivated me in a lot of ways and there's nothing more that I expected.So, you can go ahead and read it because even if you may not get the techniques and process knowledge of how-to train the brain but for the very least you will get inspired to work out and to get in your best shape.

This is not the first time am ordering a paperback book from Amazon, but this time I was disappointed by the print quality as you can see from the pictures.

The book draws an inspiration from Buddha's teachings " If one need to live they have endure pain, suffering, disappointment etc.," The author describes on how to respond to pain, tips on self motivation. A book talks about human grit and perseverance.

It is a journey through the life of one of the hardest people on the planet. David Goggins fought abuse,racism, discrimination,neglect, sickness and much much more to reach heights unattainable or atleast considered to be unattainable by most. The 40% rule and the phrase "What if?' are the key takeaways from this book from me. Building an armored mind is essential, especially in the modern day when people are becoming "soft" as David would put it. Would recommend to anyone looking to harness powers hitherto unknown to them, the powers of the greatest weapon, the result of a billion years of evolution....The human Mind.

The book arrived in nice condition.No damage to the spine or the binding.Paper quality is good.

Very good , no printing mistakes , everything at it's best .

Got a pre torn book and a dirty cover. The book is amazing tho

IF u want to get on fire and be more disciplined u must read this book and use the tools goggnins uses in order to create a stronger mind

Corner of the book is worn and dirty, implying that this book is not 100% new.However a book is still a book and I can't wait to read it!

Great book

Feedback für David Goggins - Can’t hurt me 2018David Goggins hat eine der bemerkenswertesten und am meisten inspirierenden Geschichten zu bieten, die ich von einer einzelnen Person je gehört habe.Zurecht trägt der ehemalige Navy SEAL und Ultratriathlet, den Titel “toughest man alive”. Ganz nebenbei inspiriert er durch seine sture und authentische Art und Weise Millionen von Menschen.Bevor wir in die Buchkritik eintauchen, möchte ich euch noch ein paar Eckdaten zu ihm geben:- 47 Jahre alt (Baujahr 1975)- schwierige Kindheit wäre noch untertrieben- gewalttätiger Vater auf psychischer und physischer Ebene- floh später mit der Mutter in eine kleine Stadt namens Brazil, in der Nähe von Indianapolis im Bundesstaat Indiana- der Ku-Klux-Klan marschierte in seiner Kindheit noch durch die Straßen- rassistische Anfeindungen gehörten zur TagesordnungDas erste Mal bekam er sein Leben in den Griff, als er der Air Force beitrat. Dort versuchte er das Auswahlverfahren zum Parajumper (PJ), doch scheiterte . Offiziell aus medizinischen Gründen, doch inoffiziell gab er auf, weil er Angst vor dem Wasser hatte und diesen Abschnitt im Prozess noch einmal wiederholen wollte. Nach seiner Dienstzeit in der Air Force wurde er fett, faul und absolut unmotiviert. Durch eine Navy SEAL Dokumentation im Fernsehen, schöpfte er neue Hoffnung für seinen großen Traum.Innerhalb von 3 bis 6 Monaten nahm er dann 106 Pounds, sprich 48 kg ab. Er trainierte 3 bis 4 mal am Tag und aß viel weniger als zuvor. Er schwamm täglich, radelte auf dem Fahrrad zu Hause vor dem Fernseher, steigerte seine Jogging-Einheiten und verpasste keinen Tag mehr im Fitnessstudio. Auf all seinen Fotos sieht man bei ihm nie Hautlappen hängen, was normalerweise bei vielen Menschen der Fall ist. Er erklärt das durch hunderte von Wiederholungen mit geringen Gewichten. So verbrannte er schneller Fett und straffte gleichzeitig die Haut wieder. Seine Ernährung war von nun an gesund, doch arbeitete er permanent in einem Kaloriendefizit.Um ein Navy SEAL zu werden, musste er aufgrund von Verletzungen insgesamt dreimal das BUDs Auswahlverfahren inklusive der Höllenwoche in einem Jahr durchlaufen. Bisher ist er der einzige US-Staatsbürger, der das gemacht und beim dritten Mal auch geschafft hat.Später, nach seinem Einsatz, absolvierte er noch die Army Ranger School als Jahrgangsbester und bewarb sich zum einen beim SEAL Team SIX sowie bei der Army Delta Force. Er selbst sagt, dass er Teil der Teams bei den SEALs war, doch nie Teil der Bruderschaft wurde. Durch seine wettbewerbsorientierte Art, immer weiter zu machen und immer nach der nächsten Herausforderung zu streben, eckte er auch permanent bei den SEALs an.Als seine Kameraden bei der Operation Redwings ums Leben kamen, das ist das, was wir als Verfilmung von "Lone Survivor” mit Mark Wahlberg kennen, wollte er Geld für die Hinterbliebenen sammeln. Also googelte er stumpf nach den 10 härtesten Rennen der Welt. Diese Art von Laufveranstaltungen setzt eine Qualifikation oder gewisse Referenzen voraus. So sollte er doch erstmal in 24 Stunden, 100 Meilen (161 km) oder mehr joggen. Seine Physik entsprach mehr eines Bodybuilders oder Powerlifters, doch definitiv nicht die eines Triathletes. Tatsächlich schaffte er die 100 Meilen in knapp unter 24 Stunden, doch beschrieb er die letzten 30 Meilen als die schlimmsten Schmerzen in seinem gesamten Leben. Etwa einen Monat später trat er schon beim Las Vegas Marathon an und lief diesen in einer Zeit von 3 h 8 min. Für meinen ersten Marathon habe ich 4 ½ Stunden benötigt und war nicht einem Monat davor die 100 Meilen unterwegs am Stück.^^Von dort an hatte er Blut geleckt und war nicht mehr zu stoppen. Ihr könnt die meisten seiner Läufe googeln unter "Race Calendar David Goggins". Wenn das nicht durch den Rennveranstaltungen festgehalten worden wäre, könnte man es nicht glauben. Sein persönlicher Rekord liegt bei acht aufeinanderfolgenden Wochenenden jeweils einen 100 Meilen Lauf zu absolvieren.Ganz nebenbei hatte er damals noch einen Weltrekord in Klimmzügen aufgestellt mit 4.030 Klimmzügen in 17 Stunden. Im dritten Anlauf klappte es dann. Seine Einstellung nie aufzugeben, ist das, was Millionen von Menschen inspiriert. Für Menschen wie ihn wurde das Wort "Resilienz" = Widerstandsfähigkeit erschaffen. Was umso bemerkenswerter ist, dass er von Geburt an mit einem Loch im Herzen geboren wurde und demnach nie eine uneingeschränkte Eignung von den Ärzten bekommen hätte. Wieder einmal ein Beispiel, was der Geist leisten kann, wenn Dritte ihm nicht einreden, was man kann oder nicht kann. Des Weiteren leidet er unter dem Raynaud's Phenomenon, bei dem durch kalte Temperaturen die Blutzirkulation in seinen Fingern nicht mehr funktioniert und diese farblich eher nach Absterben aussehen. Doch nichts davon stoppt ihn. Auch Ermüdungsbrüche und Kniee, die komplett im Arsch sind, halten ihn nicht auf.Eine seiner Regeln lautet jeden Tag, am besten gleich am Morgen zu machen, was absolut keinen Spaß macht. Er trainiert nicht für spezielle Events, sondern für das Leben.Anstatt sich nach seinem Bucherfolg auf den Lorbeeren auszuruhen und von den guten alten Tagen zu erzählen, arbeitet David mittlerweile, wenn er nicht gerade als Speaker auftritt oder tagelang läuft, als Wildland Firefighter. Das sind die tapferen Männer, die bei Waldbränden, kilometerlange Schneisen per Hand graben, kleine Gegenfeuer starten und so die unkontrollierbaren Brände nach und nach zähmen.Der Typ ist eine lebende Legende. Für seine Geschichte wollte ihm ein Verlag in der ersten Runde maximal 30.000 $ bieten, wenig später dann ein anderer Verlag 300.000 $. Doch er entschied sich, mit einem Bekannten zusammen seinen eigenen Mini-Verlag zu gründen und so auch unternehmerisch voll ins Schwarze zu treffen. Bis heute hat er schon mehrere Millionen Bücher in unterschiedlichen Sprachen verkauft (New York Times Bestseller).Vergesst diese YouTube-Motivations-Bühnen-Speaker, lest sein Buch. Noch besser hört euch seine Biografie als Buch / Podcast / Interview an. Für die visuellen Menschen, schaut euch auch gerne die beiden Joe Rogan Podcasts (#1080 und #1212) oder mit Tom Bilyeu an. Wer danach keine Hummeln unterm Arsch vor Tatendrang hat, dem kann ich auch nicht mehr helfen.6 / 5 Sterne#buchrezension #davidgoggins #canthurtme #endurance #livinglegend #bookreview #bookstagram #stayhard

"Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins is a game-changing memoir that pushes the boundaries of human potential, inviting readers on an inspiring journey of resilience, mental toughness, and unwavering determination. Goggins' story is not just about overcoming physical obstacles, but a profound exploration of the untapped power of the human mind.Goggins lays bare his life's struggles and triumphs with unflinching honesty, taking readers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. From his turbulent childhood to his transformation into a Navy SEAL and ultra-endurance athlete, every chapter is a testament to the indomitable spirit that lies within us all.What sets "Can't Hurt Me" apart is Goggins' raw vulnerability and relentless pursuit of self-improvement. He challenges readers to confront their own limitations and push beyond perceived boundaries. The book acts as a guide, imparting invaluable lessons on how to rewire the mind, embrace discomfort, and thrive in the face of adversity.The heart of the book lies in Goggins' "Accountability Mirror" concept. He encourages readers to examine their lives honestly, confront their weaknesses, and take full responsibility for their actions. Through his own personal experiences, Goggins demonstrates that the path to greatness begins with self-reflection and a commitment to self-mastery.Goggins' writing style is compelling, his words dripping with passion and intensity. The narrative is interspersed with reflections, challenges, and practical strategies, making the book both gripping and highly actionable. He implores readers to reject mediocrity, embrace discomfort, and embrace the path of self-discovery, resilience, and personal growth.Furthermore, "Can't Hurt Me" serves as a wake-up call, reminding us that the mind is our most powerful weapon. Goggins' relentless pursuit of excellence and his unwavering mental fortitude inspire readers to push through self-imposed limitations, break through barriers, and achieve greatness in all aspects of life.In conclusion, "Can't Hurt Me" is an awe-inspiring memoir that will leave an indelible mark on anyone who reads it. David Goggins' story is a testament to the limitless potential within each of us, urging us to tap into our inner strength and rise above life's challenges. This book is not just a memoir but a blueprint for personal transformation, offering practical tools, life-changing insights, and a resounding call to action. Prepare to be motivated, challenged, and forever changed by the empowering message within these pages.