CAN'T HURT ME -David Goggins

Reviewer’s Note:

One day a friend of mine called me and said she was procrastinating stuff and wanted some book to help her overcome it. At that time, I suggested this book. That night she called me and said how motivating this book was. Not only did she finish reading this book in a week, she even started working on stuff she had delayed for months. And that’s the experience every single person who has read this book has. So I hope this review works as that extra bit of motivation you’ll need to start reading this book because once you read this book, I believe it really would change the way you see and do things.

Book Review/Summary:

Heraclitus, a philosopher born in the Persian Empire back in the fifth century BC, had it right when he wrote about men on the battlefield. “Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior.” And that warrior is David Goggins.

Since his childhood days, he saw suffering to the extreme levels. His father appeared to be sophisticated on the outside but was a real devil on the inside. He used to beat David, his brother, and his mother with a belt. He occasionally even threatened to kill them. All this continued until the three of them decided to run away. However, running away didn’t make life easier for David. In his school, he faced racism and was on the verge of dropping out as well. During that time, he decided he wanted to become a Para-rescue. He joins the Air Force, and within weeks was faced with an obstacle. The moment the obstacle came, David decided to quit. He knew he shouldn’t have, but he did.

And from there began the journey of the David Goggins the world sees and knows today. After quitting Para-rescue, he was stuck in a job, weighted 300pounds, and didn’t know what he wanted to do. At that time, an opportunity to join the Navy Seals showed up. However, the criteria to join were that David needed to lose over 100pounds in 3months and take an exam as well. Most people would have quit hearing this. However, David was different. He chooses to pursue this dream, and he made it possible. He lost 109pounds in 3months and even cleared the exam.

However, life had other plans for David. After joining the Navy, David was going through his first Hell Week (The fourth week of Basic Conditioning is known as Hell Week. This is when students train for five days and five nights solid with a maximum total of four hours of sleep) when due to medical reasons he needed to leave. He came back after recovering for his second attempt but needed to leave even then. The majority of the public would have quit at this point, but that’s why David is that Warrior, and the majority isn’t. He came back for his third and final attempt and graduated BUDs. He was the 36th African American to Graduate BUDs.

From there on, he served, worked as recruiter going to schools across the country to motivated students to join the Armed Forces. He had a unique way of interacting with students and performed workouts and running sessions with them. He even graduated as an Army Ranger.

David wanted to do something for the families of the Armed Forces, and thus he decided to take up long-distance running to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

To participate in an event to raise money, he needed to have a running resume, and thus to build one, he participated in a 100miles race in San Diego. He participated and completed this race without any prior preparation. He did this by using techniques like the 40% rule and the “Cookie Jar” technique that he has developed.

David currently also holds the record for the most pull-ups done in a day. He failed on multiple attempts before finally conquering the record.

David is truly an inspiration who makes me believe that everything we desire can be achieved. We just need to be focused and be dedicated to achieving it. Do give it a read. It will be one of the best investments of your time.

Happy Reading.

P.S: Try the Audiobook for this book. David Goggins was present during the recording and has given many interesting facts and details about the incidences he has shared in the book.