Brief Summary
This episode features David Goggins discussing his book, "Can't Hurt Me," and his life philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of mental toughness, overcoming adversity, and continuous self-improvement through embracing suffering and pushing beyond perceived limits. Goggins shares personal stories of his struggles and triumphs, highlighting the power of the mind and the value of authenticity.
- Mental Toughness
- Overcoming Adversity
- Continuous Self-Improvement
Introduction
Joe Rogan introduces David Goggins and praises his book "Can't Hurt Me" and its audiobook version, which includes commentary from Goggins and co-author Adam. Goggins explains that the audiobook's interactive format, featuring discussions between chapters, arose from the extensive storytelling and revisions during the book's creation. Initially, Rogan was skeptical about someone else reading Goggins' story but acknowledges that it works well, especially because of the obvious friendship between Goggins and his co-author.
The Depth and Honesty of "Can't Hurt Me"
Rogan praises the book for its detailed account of Goggins' life and transformation, noting its educational value for readers who may see Goggins as a static, fully-formed individual. Goggins emphasizes the raw and honest portrayal of his life's ups and downs in the book. He admits feeling embarrassed about sharing such personal details but recognizes the importance of vulnerability. Goggins describes himself as a shy, introverted person who constantly fights his inner demons, using his public persona as a way to stay focused and locked into the "game of life."
Psychological Warfare and Self-Mastery
Goggins describes life as a psychological warfare, emphasizing the importance of the conversations one has with oneself. He realized that the negative self-talk he engaged in was misguided and harmful. He learned to view his past struggles, such as abuse, bullying, and learning disabilities, as training for his future challenges. Goggins emphasizes that everyone has a story and struggles, but not everyone has the courage to talk about them.
Finding Self-Esteem Through Physical and Mental Challenges
Goggins discusses how he used working out to build mental toughness and callous his mind against a victim mentality. He saw training as a way to mentally prepare for life's struggles. Through discipline and repetition of uncomfortable tasks, he developed an armor for his mind. He highlights the importance of self-discipline in building mental resilience.
The Unrelenting Inner Voice and Embracing Discomfort
Goggins describes an unrelenting inner voice that guided him toward discomfort and accountability, which he initially resisted. He realized that this voice represented his true self, stripped of insecurities and ego. He recounts his past attempts to find himself through various characters and behaviors, recognizing that he was essentially a clown trying to impress others.
Finding Humor in Suffering and Reinventing the Mind
Goggins emphasizes the importance of learning to laugh at oneself and finding humor in suffering. He shares that he uses comedy to cope with difficult experiences, such as being one of the few black individuals to complete Navy SEAL training. He describes the challenges he faced and how he used humor to overcome them. Goggins underscores that he was trying to reinvent his mind and tired of living as a fake human being.
Forgiving the Past and Finding the Origin of Pain
Goggins discusses his difficult relationship with his abusive father and the impact it had on his life. He emphasizes the importance of forgiving his father to move forward and break the cycle of failure. He describes his father as the origin of his pain and how he had to study him to understand why he was so evil. Goggins highlights the need to fix oneself to avoid passing on the wrath to others.
Repeated Failure and Mental Hardening
Goggins details his repeated failures and how he used them as opportunities for reflection and growth. He recounts how he had to lose 106 pounds in three months to qualify for SEAL training. He emphasizes that he wasn't a theorist but a practitioner who repeatedly put himself in the fire to harden his mind. Goggins describes how he dissected his brain in miserable conditions to understand what made him a quitter.
Embracing the Struggle and Rejecting the Golden Years
Goggins explains that he cannot sugarcoat his life experiences and wants people to understand the harsh realities he faced. He embraces his imperfections and encourages others to do the same. He rejects the idea of a "golden years" retirement, emphasizing that there is no finish line in life. Goggins is scheduled to run with Cameron Haynes and jokes about the need to set a mileage limit to avoid pushing each other to exhaustion.
The Barclay Marathon and the Strolling Jim Race
Goggins discusses the Barkley Marathon and the Strolling Jim Race, highlighting their unique challenges. He mentions his past participation in the Strolling Jim Race and his intention to participate in the Barkley Marathon. He also touches on the importance of addressing the psoas muscle for runners and stressed individuals.
Internal Motivation and the Pull-Up Record
Goggins emphasizes the importance of internal motivation over external factors like music. He recounts listening to the "Rocky 1" theme song on repeat for 17 hours during his last pull-up record attempt, pushing himself to a dark and intense mental state. He stresses the need to find the flame inside oneself to keep going when external motivation is absent.
Independently Publishing and the Value of Struggle
Goggins discusses his decision to independently publish his book, turning down initial offers because he felt they undervalued his story. He emphasizes that the biggest trophy he owns is the book itself and the journey he undertook to create it. Goggins hopes people understand the value of struggle and realize that the bigger the struggle, the bigger the peace.
The Universality of Struggle and the Power of Self-Reflection
Goggins believes his story is a human story about struggle, transcending color. He guarantees that readers will find a section of the book that resonates with them. He emphasizes that the book is for those ready to self-reflect and hold themselves accountable. Rogan praises the book's authenticity and its ability to motivate readers to push beyond their limits.
Authenticity and the Byproduct of Self-Improvement
Goggins emphasizes the importance of authenticity and criticizes motivational speakers who lack genuine experience. He explains that he didn't set out to write a book but that it was a byproduct of his personal transformation. Goggins highlights that the book works because he genuinely did all those things and shows how he did them without using theatrical jargon.
The Importance of Self-Awareness and Avoiding Excuses
Goggins stresses the importance of self-awareness and avoiding excuses. He notes that people who try to bring you back to your worst are the ones you need to avoid. He emphasizes the need to surround oneself with people who inspire growth and to be willing to be alone to focus on self-improvement. Goggins describes his book as a primitive, barbarian guide to using the mind to endure and overcome challenges.
Embracing the Suck and Attacking the Enemy
Goggins discusses the importance of open-mindedness and attacking challenges head-on. He emphasizes the need to break the soul of whatever is in front of you by being relentless. Goggins introduces the concept of "taking souls," which involves breaking the spirit of an opponent or obstacle through unwavering determination.
Taking Souls and Controlling Adrenals
Goggins recounts his experience in BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training) and how he and his boat crew took the souls of the instructors by pushing themselves to the limit. He emphasizes the importance of controlling one's adrenals and finding strength in misery. Goggins highlights that finding strength just a little bit longer will have a crew of people following you along the way.
Rhabdo and Training Through Injuries
Goggins shares his experience with rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) during his second pull-up record attempt and his subsequent recovery. He also discusses his experience with sickle cell trait and the death of a friend from rhabdo. Goggins admits to training through injuries, including stress fractures, and describes how he duct-taped his foot to continue training.
Heart Surgery and Pushing Through Pain
Goggins discusses his heart surgery for an atrial septal defect (ASD) and how it affected his military career. He recounts going on a 10-mile ruck march before his second heart surgery. Goggins emphasizes that he learned to deal with pain and injuries from a young age, as his father didn't believe in taking him to the hospital.
Stretching and Body Alignment
Goggins discusses the importance of stretching and body alignment. He explains that his body was in bad alignment due to years of injuries and stress, leading to various tweaks and pains. Goggins stretches for two hours every night to correct these issues.
Training Philosophy and Mental Hardening
Goggins emphasizes that his training is primarily for mental hardening, with physical appearance being a byproduct. He doesn't follow exercise science or new techniques, focusing instead on repetition and pushing his limits. Goggins highlights the importance of full range of motion and shoulder stability.
The Silverback Gorilla and the First 100-Mile Race
Goggins recounts his first 100-mile race and how he did deadlifts the night before to mentally prepare himself. He describes his interaction with a former instructor, "Silverback Gorilla," who motivated him to push harder. Goggins emphasizes the extreme pain he experienced after the race and how it was unlike anything he had ever felt.
Running a Marathon with No Training
Goggins shares the story of running a marathon with no training, shortly after completing his first 100-mile race. He describes how he initially planned to walk the marathon with his mother but ended up running it and achieving a Boston Marathon qualifying time. Goggins emphasizes how this experience opened his eyes to the untapped potential of the human mind.
Examining the Brain and the Power of Pain Management
Goggins stresses the importance of examining one's brain and working through pain. He emphasizes that there is no easy way to achieve mental toughness and that it requires hard work and suffering. Goggins encourages people to embrace discomfort and push beyond their perceived limits.
Procrastination and the Grind
Goggins admits to procrastinating and struggling with motivation, despite his public image. He emphasizes the importance of doing the work anyway and pushing through the discomfort. Goggins highlights the value of having a structured schedule to avoid procrastination.
Misunderstandings and the Grind Mentality
Goggins discusses how his intense work ethic and grind mentality were often misunderstood in the military. He acknowledges that he wasn't always well-liked but emphasizes the importance of living by example and pushing oneself to the limit. Goggins highlights that he was a team guy but not part of the brotherhood.
Unfulfilled Potential and the Fear of Judgment
Goggins shares his biggest fear: reaching the end of his life and realizing he didn't fulfill his potential. He wants to impress whatever force judges him after death and leave nothing on the table. Goggins believes in constantly going back to scratch and revisiting his roots to maintain his drive and determination.
Calming the Mind and Planning for the Future
Goggins emphasizes the importance of calming the mind through stretching and yoga to focus on future goals. He highlights that noise is the ultimate kryptonite and that long cardio sessions can help quiet the mind. Goggins is a big planner and sets small, medium, and big goals for himself.
Wildland Firefighting and the Pursuit of Hard Work
Goggins discusses his decision to become a wildland firefighter, seeking out hard work and a new challenge after retiring from the military. He emphasizes that it's not about the money but about the hard work and the opportunity to learn from others. Goggins is also applying for smoke jumping, viewing it as his next military challenge.
The Biggest Trophy and the Importance of Human Growth
Goggins reiterates that the biggest trophy in life is what he's learned and that human growth is paramount. He emphasizes the importance of doing things for the benefits of it and not for show. Goggins describes his approach to social media, emphasizing authenticity and blocking those who are not serious about self-improvement.
The Power of Community and the Grind
Goggins highlights the power of community and the importance of having like-minded individuals who are also trying to improve themselves. He emphasizes that his social media platforms are not a playground but a community for those seeking to get hard. Goggins stresses that the grind cleanses the body of hate and promotes growth.
The Importance of Active Recovery and Heart Rate Training
Goggins emphasizes the importance of active recovery and heart rate training. He describes his active recovery routine, which includes a light six-mile run at a low heart rate. Goggins highlights the benefits of heart rate training, including improved fat burning and quicker recovery.
Shoe Preferences and Bio-Mechanics
Goggins discusses his shoe preferences and how they have changed over time. He used to wear Brooks Addiction shoes with heel wedges and compression tape due to his bio-mechanical issues. Now, he can wear normal running shoes thanks to stretching and improved body alignment.
The Importance of Stretching and Unwinding the Mind
Goggins emphasizes the importance of stretching and unwinding the mind. He explains that his body was proof of the stress he endured throughout his life. Goggins highlights the need to address both the physical and mental aspects of self-improvement.
Jiu-Jitsu and the Next Challenge
Rogan suggests that Goggins get involved in jiu-jitsu, believing he would excel at it. Goggins expresses interest and asks Rogan to connect him with a gym in Nashville. Rogan emphasizes the constant competition and the mental and physical challenges of jiu-jitsu.
The Tactical Advantage of the Mind
Goggins emphasizes that the mind always has the tactical advantage because it knows your fears and insecurities. He stresses the importance of being honest and not trying to paint oneself in a flattering way. Goggins highlights that his book is a reflection of his thoughts and experiences, unfiltered.
The Power of the Grind and the Importance of Honesty
Goggins emphasizes the power of the grind and the importance of honesty. He believes that the grind cleanses the body of hate and promotes growth. Goggins highlights that his book is a reflection of his thoughts and experiences, unfiltered.
Active Recovery and the Importance of Movement
Goggins emphasizes the importance of active recovery and movement. He describes his active recovery routine, which includes a light six-mile run at a low heart rate. Goggins highlights the benefits of heart rate training, including improved fat burning and quicker recovery.
The Importance of Humility and Continuous Learning
Goggins emphasizes the importance of humility and continuous learning. He highlights the need to always be a beginner and to never stop growing. Goggins stresses that he wants to keep that dog in him and can't always know everything.
The Value of the Book and the Importance of Self-Improvement
Rogan praises Goggins' book and thanks him for the inspiration and honesty. Goggins expresses his appreciation and reiterates the importance of self-improvement. The conversation concludes with Rogan thanking Goggins for his time and insights.
