There’s a voice in my head that tells me to quit. It shows up when I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, or scared. For the longest time, I believed that voice. Until I read Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins.
This isn’t your average self-help book. Goggins didn’t come from comfort—he came from trauma, poverty, and failure. And yet, he became one of the toughest endurance athletes and Navy SEALs on the planet. How? By mastering his mind.
The Accountability Mirror
This was the first concept that hit me. Goggins wrote down his flaws—his truths—and stuck them to his mirror. Every morning, he faced them. No sugarcoating. No excuses.
I tried this. I wrote down the mental blocks I had: “afraid of failure,” “distracted easily,” “inconsistent.” Facing that daily made me uncomfortable. And that’s the point.
The 40% Rule
Goggins says when you think you’re done, you’re really only at 40%. That idea haunted me—in the best way. During workouts, tough projects, or even emotional dips, I started whispering: “You’re only at 40%.”
And you know what? I kept going.
Callusing the Mind
Just like hands form calluses through hard labor, Goggins believes the mind can too. Each challenge, each moment I wanted to quit—but didn’t—added a mental layer. Now, when something hard hits, I don’t panic as fast. My mind is tougher.
“You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.” — David Goggins
My Mental Shift
- I stopped seeking comfort first.
- I started journaling my excuses—and questioning them.
- I began training my brain like a muscle, not just reacting emotionally.
This book isn’t gentle. It doesn’t hold your hand. But if you’re tired of getting in your own way, it might be exactly what you need.
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