Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds is a memoir and self-help book by David Goggins. Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL and ultramarathon runner who is known for his incredible mental toughness and physical endurance. In his book, Goggins shares his secrets to overcoming adversity and achieving seemingly impossible goals.

Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins


The book in three sentences:

  • Overcoming adversity: Goggins shares his personal story of overcoming abuse, poverty, and self-doubt to achieve seemingly impossible goals.
  • Mental toughness: Goggins teaches readers how to master their minds and push themselves beyond their perceived limits.
  • Achieving goals: Goggins provides a practical guide to setting and achieving goals, no matter how difficult they may seem. 

Early Life

Goggins' early life was marked by abuse and poverty. He was born into a poor family in Buffalo, New York, and his father was physically and emotionally abusive. Goggins eventually escaped from his father's abuse, but he continued to struggle with poverty and low self-esteem.

Joining the Navy SEALs

After high school, Goggins decided to join the Navy SEALs. He knew that it would be one of the most challenging things he could do, but he was determined to succeed. Goggins made it through the SEALs' notoriously difficult training program, but he was not done yet. He went on to become a highly decorated SEAL and served in multiple combat deployments.

Ultramarathons

After retiring from the Navy SEALs, Goggins decided to take on a new challenge: ultramarathons. Ultramarathons are races that are longer than 26.2 miles. Goggins has completed numerous ultramarathons, including the Badwater 135, which is considered to be one of the most difficult ultramarathons in the world.

The Secrets to Goggins' Success

Goggins' success is a testament to his mental toughness. He has learned to master his mind and push himself beyond his perceived limits. In his book, Goggins shares his secrets to mental toughness with readers. He teaches them how to overcome their fears, doubts, and negative self-talk. He also teaches them how to develop the discipline and perseverance to achieve their goals.

Here are some of the key lessons from Can't Hurt Me:

  • Embrace discomfort. Goggins believes that the only way to grow and achieve your goals is to step outside of your comfort zone and face your fears. He challenges readers to push themselves beyond their perceived limits and tap into their hidden reserves of strength.
  • Develop discipline. Goggins is a very disciplined person. He has a strict daily routine and he never gives up on his goals. He teaches readers the importance of discipline and perseverance in achieving their goals. He says that discipline is the ability to do something you don't want to do, when you don't want to do it.
  • Find your "why." Your "why" is your reason for pushing yourself and never giving up. It is what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning and to keep going when things get tough. Goggins encourages readers to find their "why" and use it to fuel their motivation.
  • Use the Cookie Jar. Goggins visualizes his mind as a cookie jar. He fills his cookie jar with positive thoughts and experiences. When he is facing a challenge, he draws on the positive energy in his cookie jar to help him push through.
  • Use the 5/5/5 Rule. Goggins uses the 5/5/5 rule to help him get through difficult times. He tells himself that he will just focus on the next 5 minutes, the next 5 hours, and the next 5 days. This helps him to break down the challenge into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Here are some additional insights from Can't Hurt Me:

  • The importance of teamwork. Goggins emphasizes the importance of teamwork in achieving success. He says that no one can achieve their goals alone. He shares stories of how he relied on his teammates to help him through difficult times.
  • The importance of giving back. Goggins is passionate about giving back to others. He uses his platform to inspire others to achieve their goals and to live their best lives. He also supports a number of charities that are dedicated to helping veterans and other people in need.

Conclusion

Can't Hurt Me is a powerful and inspiring book that can help anyone achieve their goals and live their best life. It is a book that will challenge you to think differently about yourself and your capabilities. Goggins' message is simple: you can achieve anything you set your mind to, no matter how difficult it may seem.

Can't Hurt Me is a must-read book for anyone who wants to achieve their goals and live their best life. It is a book that will challenge you to think differently about yourself and your capabilities. It is also a book that will inspire you to become the best version of yourself.