Can’t Hurt Me summary — David Goggins

Simon Davies
3 min readAug 9, 2023

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Break all barriers: Embrace your relentless spirit

Photo by Sergio Arteaga on Unsplash

Can’t Hurt Me is a memoir by David Goggins, a retired Navy SEAL and ultramarathon runner. The book is a raw and honest account of Goggins’s life, which has been shaped by pain, adversity, and determination.

Goggins was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1975. He had a difficult childhood, marked by poverty, abuse, and neglect. He was also diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia.

Despite his challenges, Goggins went on to have a successful career in the Navy SEALs. He was a member of the elite SEAL Team Six, and he participated in some of the most dangerous missions in the world.

After leaving the Navy, Goggins became an ultramarathon runner. He has completed some of the most grueling races in the world, including the Badwater Ultramarathon, which is considered to be the toughest footrace on the planet.

The 40% Rule

One of the key themes of Can’t Hurt Me is the 40% Rule. Goggins believes that most people only tap into 40% of their potential. He argues that we can all achieve more if we are willing to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones.

Goggins himself has pushed himself to the limit on many occasions. He has run 100 miles in 24 hours, and he has completed 14 marathons in 14 days. He has also set world records in swimming and weightlifting.

The Power of Pain

Another key theme of Can’t Hurt Me is the power of pain. Goggins believes that pain is a powerful motivator. He argues that if we can learn to embrace pain, we can achieve anything we set our minds to.

Goggins himself has used pain to his advantage on many occasions. He has used pain to push himself through difficult training sessions, and he has used pain to motivate himself to keep going when he wanted to give up.

The Mindset of a Champion

Can’t Hurt Me is not just a book about pain and suffering. It is also a book about the mindset of a champion. Goggins believes that anyone can achieve anything they set their minds to, as long as they have the right mindset.

Goggins himself has a very positive and optimistic mindset. He believes that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard and never give up.

Conclusion

Can’t Hurt Me is a powerful and inspiring book. It is a story about overcoming adversity and achieving your goals. It is also a book about the power of the mind and the importance of never giving up.

If you are looking for a book that will motivate you to push yourself to the limit, then Can’t Hurt Me is the book for you.

Additional Thoughts

  • Can’t Hurt Me is a well-written and engaging book. Goggins is a gifted storyteller, and he does a great job of weaving his personal story together with his insights on mental toughness and peak performance.
  • The book is full of practical advice that can help you to improve your own mental toughness. Goggins shares his own personal strategies for dealing with pain, fear, and self-doubt.
  • Can’t Hurt Me is an inspiring book that will motivate you to push yourself to your limits. If you are looking for a book that will help you to achieve your goals, then I highly recommend Can’t Hurt Me.

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Simon Davies

I create short summaries of non-fiction books using generative AI tools