Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet Paperback – Illustrated, November 1, 2016

I read DG book ( can’t hurt me) and saw several podcasts featuring DG and Jesse, and finally got to read the book…This book blended transformation of personality and attitude of the lead character ( Jesse) after spending a month with the discipline of an Ex Navy Seal ( DG).Jesse was able to take the reader through his daily blog of events through his 30 day mixing his experience with humor and trying to honor his promise to the SEAL which he promised he would do anything and everything that is asked of him.Throughout the book, you can feel the various emotions that Jesse expressed and how his attitude started to mould in a way he didn’t expect or thought was possible. The discipline that the SEAL enforced on Jesse and his daily living was so uncomfortable for anyone to continue if it was not for Jesse persistence and desire to prevail with his challenge.Despite many unexpected and sometimes comic situations throughout the book, the writer managed to keep the reader engaged and in suspense to find out what is going to happen next….For the SEAL, it was a mission that he wanted to complete and move on to the next challenge, but I believe deep inside, I thought the SEAL cared about the family that hosted him for a month.It is also how the SEAL managed to capture the attention of almost everyone who he came across even though that was not his intention, but that speaks much to his character and discipline which many seemed to appreciate and find quite extraordinary.I found humor reading the book, blended with lessons for life and motivation and the importance of setting goals and to have direction in life.The writer transformation seemed to start budding slowly but surely after the first 2 weeks, as it reflected on his tenacity and desire to continue to push despite physical struggles as he started to build what DG calls ( mental calluses )…This book and DG books are great reads and both are extremely valuable to read for someone who feels they need the extra push to achieve the desired mindset ..

I saw Jessie speak and it was the most moving, motivating talk I have ever seen... I had to get one of his books and it did not disappoint.. Awesome book! Of course, Jessie narrated it himself which made listening to it so great! What an entrepreneur legend, great motivation in this book and an incredible story teller.

I really liked this book! Fascinating characters, fun stories. Made me feel really motivated to get off the couch.

Jesse Itzler has managed to get super-rich by stringing together a number of odd professions that on their face appear to have no connection. He was a rapper on MTV, then a writer of a jingle for The Knicks, then the founder of a private jet subscription club, then a pusher of coconut water. He's good at spotting trends. He's also run a string of NYC Marathons and some ultras. As I started reading "Living with a SEAL," I was a bit cynical. I thought Itzler's plan to spend a month with a Navy SEAL was another gimmick to make money. Having finished the book, I don't think it was that at all. Itzler happened to be running a relay in San Diego and was intrigued by a guy running solo. He struck up a conversation with the guy, learned he was a SEAL, and later invited him to stay with Itzler, his wife, and child for a month in Manhattan (with side trips to Connecticut and Atlanta) to train him. This invitation might seem odd to many but was completely in keeping with Itzler's personality. Itzler never reveals how much he paid for this month of torture, and he also doesn't reveal until the end that the SEAL in question was David Goggins, famous in his own right as an ultra runner and pull-up champion. The author seems to have a Zelig-like knack for running into celebrities. He talks about bumping into Sting, Bob Costas, and Kevin Garnett. But much of the book is focused on the workouts Itzler endures: thousands of sit-ups and push-ups, along with runs two or three times a day, often in the cold and dark. At a couple points he and Goggins hop into a frozen lake in Connecticut. Goggins seems to lead a true Spartan existence, which causes Itzler to call his own comfortable life into question (the valuable lesson learned at the end). Goggins arrives with a single backpack. He has no interest in TV or killing time. When he accompanies Itzler to his office, he sits and stares at the wall for hours rather than read, etc. The author plays up the differences between the two main characters for laughs, and "Living with a SEAL" is often funny. My suspicion is that Itzler exaggerated his happy-go-lucky side while also exaggerating Goggins' assassin-style creepiness. They're an odd couple, but a winning combo. Itzler also played down just how jacked he got from all those push-ups. He takes pride in finishing the workouts, as he should, but his pride never crosses over into boastfulness. I read this right after finishing Goggins' memoir, and I thought it was fascinating to put these two accounts next to each other. Goggins' book was full-throttle, a great read, though completely humorless, while Itzler's is an outsider account of Goggins' habits, full of goofiness. Despite its exaggerations, it might be the truer portrait. I was inspired by both books but not ready to become a Goggins disciple. To me, at least, he takes things a bit too far.

When I first downloaded this book I wasn’t really sure what to expect. So I thought what the heck if it isn’t any good I’ll ditch it and read something else. Man am I happy I read it. This book is such a good read. It’s truly something no sane person would attempt to undertake. Jesse is always finding new things to push himself but doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing when he decides to ask “Seal” a true life Navy Seal he has seen in action on the ultra marathon circuit to come train him for 30 days. This is a true testament of how a human can endure and power through pain and become stronger. This book is also a look into a person who has overcome his own physical limitations to do something for his own goals. It is not until the end of this true story anyone finds who “Seal” actually is and what his motives are for pushing himself to compete in these ultra marathons, but it sure humbles us. I recommend everyone read this book, then read the books written by the real to life “Seal”. That’s next on my hold list.Not only am I in awe of this author and his family, they are very smart and have built fortunes with their incredible ability to think for themselves, but they seem like the sort of people I’d want to live next door to.

This one is the first book that I completed in 2025 its was interesting gettting a blog that keep me laughing and awe-inspiring while reading all the way through i took highlights of some of the iconic quotes that David is Known for.