David Goggins, aged 44, is an individual in the U.S. armed forces who has completed training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller. He is a former Guinness World Record holder, having completed 4,030 pull-ups in 17 hours. Additionally, he is one of the world's most elite endurance athletes, having competed in over 60 ultra-marathons, triathlons, and ultra-triathlons. Recently, this retired SEAL has authored the New York Times bestseller, "Can't Hurt Me."
Before achieving any of these milestones, Goggins worked as an exterminator, earning only $1,000 a month and living paycheck-to-paycheck. At the time, he was overweight, with a weight of almost 300 pounds. Every day, after his 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift, he would stop at Steak 'n Shake for a large chocolate milkshake and then head to 7-Eleven to get a box of mini-donuts. During his 45-minute commute home, he would consume the donuts like candy, one after another. As soon as he got home, he’d turn on the TV and blast the volume so he could hear it while he showered. That was his routine up until one morning, when he heard a program about Navy SEAL training.
After getting out of the shower, he watched an episode and realized he was sick of being haunted by the feeling of being a nobody. He didn't want to sit back and watch shows about great people doing amazing things anymore. He wanted to experience the feeling of true accomplishment.
At the age of 24, Goggins decided to become a SEAL himself. He had prior military experience, having served in the Air Force from age 19 to 23. However, enlisting as a SEAL requires completing one of the military's most grueling training programs. The day he saw the SEAL program on TV, he started calling recruiters. For two weeks, they laughed at him and heard so many ’No’s.
Eventually, a recruiter invited him to come to the office. Goggins showed up and learned that to even apply to be a SEAL, he had to meet basic physical fitness requirements. At 6'1", he couldn't weigh more than 191 pounds. To achieve his goal, he had to shed 106 pounds. He established a training plan and went on a strict diet, eating hardly anything. In less than three months, he lost the weight, but that was just the beginning. He still had to complete SEAL training, which can take up to 30 months.
The most difficult mental and physical challenge of the program is Hell Week, which consists of 130 hours of continuous training. Goggins had to endure three Hell Weeks in a year, as he dropped out of the first two due to pneumonia and stress fractures. He successfully completed his third attempt.
David Goggins attributes his transformation to his unwavering mindset. He also devised a strategy to become the person he aspired to be, creating something he calls the "accountability mirror." By looking into the mirror and holding himself accountable, he was able to overcome his fears by naming them directly.
Goggins lives each day as if he hasn't accomplished anything yet, regardless of how many races he wins, books he sells, or records he sets. He refuses to get comfortable or believe that he has made it. According to Goggins, everyone has their own bars to reach, whether they are work-related goals, such as becoming a CEO, or appearance-related goals, such as losing 25 pounds. Once people reach their bars, there's usually a big celebration, trophy, and maybe even a bonus check, but that's not the end for him. Instead, he doesn't think in terms of completion. There's a never-ending list of things to accomplish to become a better CEO or a better person.
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