Can’t Hurt Me
by David Goggins
Mastering Your Mind 🧠
Understanding Denial Denial is the ultimate comfort zone. It's a mental state where we refuse to accept reality, often because it's too uncomfortable or painful.
The Victim Mentality Many people embrace a victim mentality, unaware of their true potential. This mentality is fueled by comfort and familiarity, making it difficult to break free.
Overcoming Adversity David Goggins, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, knows what it's like to be at the bottom. He was born broken, grew up with beatings, was tormented in school, and lived in poverty. Yet, he transformed himself into the hardest man he could be.
The Power of Self-Mastery Rewire your brain by seeking out pain and suffering. Transform yourself into the best version of you. It's not about motivation; it's about self-mastery.
Defying the Odds Genetic limitations do not exist; it's just an excuse to give up. With an armored mind, you can achieve what others deem impossible. There will always be the 1% who are willing to put in the work to defy the odds.
The One Warrior "Out of every hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior..." - Heraclitus
You have the potential to be the One Warrior, to become a totally different person and achieve greatness. It takes heart, will, and an armored mind to master your mind and live a bold life.
Empowerment through Storytelling Human beings change through study, habit, and stories. Through David Goggins' story, you will learn what the body and mind are capable of when driven to maximum capacity and how to get there.
The Evolutionary Algorithm The steps outlined in this book will obliterate barriers, glimmer with glory, and deliver lasting peace. It's time to go to war with yourself and unleash your true potential. 🔥
Personal Reflections
My personal reflection taught me the importance of pain and suffering. David Goggins was whipped and abused by his father in his childhood, which led him to embrace pain and suffering with open arms. This philosophy resonates with Jensen Huang's idea that great companies are not formed just by intelligence; they come from great character, which comes from an immense amount of pain and suffering.
Childhood Memories on Wheels 🎢
The Safe Haven of Skateland I found solace in Skateland, a roller skating rink in the Masten District of East Buffalo, where my father, Trunnis, was the owner and operator. For a few hours, I could escape the chaos of my home life and feel safe.
The Rise of Skateland My father's entrepreneurial spirit led him to open Skateland, which became a staple in the community. The roller disco craze was at its peak, and Skateland rocked every night.
My Role at Skateland I was responsible for organizing the skates by size and style. Each afternoon, I would:
Spray the skates with aerosol deodorizer
Replace the rubber stoppers
Polish the skate rink floor with a dust mop
Family Dinner "The food was good, but even at six and seven years old, I knew our family dinner was a bullshit facsimile compared to what most families had."
The Show At 7 p.m., the doors opened, and the show began. The room transformed into a skate disco fantasy.
Behind the Scenes After the night's events, my mother, brother, and I would:
Clean the concession kitchen
Take inventory
Fish bloody tampons out of the toilets
Air out the bathrooms
Scrape gum off the rink floor
The Unofficial Mayor of Masten My father was considered the unofficial mayor of Masten, but his charm was just a facade. He controlled everything, including my mother's finances, and would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
A Glimpse into the Dark One haunting memory still lingers: the night my mother caught my father flirting with a younger woman in the bar. It was a glimpse into the dark underbelly of our family's life.
Domestic Violence and Power Dynamics 💔
The Father's Control Trunnis exercised power over his family through fear and violence. He is described as: "treated his hookers better than the mother of his sons, and as a result, he had her trapped."
The Mother's Captivity The mother is trapped in a situation where she is financially dependent on Trunnis and has no rights to community property.
The Child's Experience "I could feel bruises rise on my back as my mom crawled toward the control pad near the front door."
Acts of Defiance David's actions, such as jumping on his father's back and scratching at his eyes, can be seen as acts of defiance against the abuse.
The Aftermath The police ignored the mother's pleas for help and sided with Trunnis. This highlights the power dynamics at play and the lack of support for victims of domestic violence.
The Search for Normalcy David's desire to participate in the Cub Scouts and wear a uniform can be seen as a desire for normalcy and a sense of belonging. This is contrasted with the reality of his home life, where violence and fear are a constant presence.
Escaping Hell 🚗
The Great Escape My mother finally left my father, Trunnis, after years of abuse. We drove off slowly, with my father watching us from the garage.
Under the Radar We pulled into Betty's garage, and she closed the door behind us. While my father searched for us on the highway, we waited until nightfall.
Breakdown 🚧 About 90 miles outside of Buffalo, the old Volvo started burning oil. My mother panicked, tears streaming down her face. We pulled into a gas station, and she called Betty, who instructed her to find a gas station attendant and get help.
Erie, Pennsylvania We were stranded in Erie, Pennsylvania, with a broken-down car and no idea what to do. My mother was on the verge of giving up, but Betty's advice gave her the courage to continue.
Back on the Road 🚗 The next morning, we drove to the Volvo dealership, and they fixed the car. We were back on the road, driving through the night to reach my grandparents' house in Brazil, Indiana.
A New Beginning 🏠 We stayed with my grandparents for six months, and I enrolled in second grade at Annunciation, a local Catholic school. I was lucky to have Sister Katherine as my teacher, a no-nonsense nun who took no excuses and expected the best from her students.
Academic Struggles 📚 I struggled academically, barely able to read. But Sister Katherine didn't give up on me. She worked with me extra time, until I could read at a second-grade level.
Public Housing and Welfare 🏠 We eventually moved into a 600-square-foot apartment at Lamplight Manor, a public housing block. My father sent sporadic child support payments, while my mother worked at a department store and took courses at Indiana State University. We relied on welfare and food stamps to get by.
Toxic Stress and Its Effects 🤕
Toxic stress is a type of stress that occurs when a child is exposed to physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or other adverse experiences. This type of stress can have long-lasting effects on a child's brain development, behavior, and health.
Effects on Brain Development
Alters the brain's structure and function
Impacts the development of the prefrontal cortex, which regulates emotions, decision-making, and impulse control
Affects the amygdala, which processes emotions and fear responses
Behavioral and Health Consequences
Behavioral ConsequenceHealth ConsequenceLearning disabilitiesIncreased risk of depression, anxiety, and substance abuseSocial anxietyHigher risk of heart disease, obesity, and cancerIncreased aggressionWeakened immune systemDifficulty with emotional regulationGreater risk of mental health disorders
The Impact of Toxic Stress on Learning Toxic stress can limit language development and memory, making it difficult for even the most gifted students to recall what they have learned.
Breaking the Cycle of Toxic Stress Identifying the sources of toxic stress and finding ways to mitigate them can help break the cycle of stress and promote healthy development.
Facing Your Demons
Challenge #1: Facing Your Demons Take inventory of your own experiences with toxic stress, bullying, or adversity. Write them down in detail, and acknowledge the pain and struggle.
Using Your Story to Fuel Success Use your experiences to fuel your determination to succeed. Share your story with others, and use it to drive your growth and progress.
Remember: You Are Not Alone Embracing your story and using it to empower yourself is the first step towards overcoming the challenges you face. Don't be afraid to seek support and resources to help you along the way.
Trauma and Loss 😔
Wilmoth's Impact on the Family Wilmoth was a positive influence on the family, especially on the narrator's mother. He gave her pride and made her feel beautiful again.
Basketball as a Bonding Experience Basketball was an essential part of the narrator's relationship with his best friend, Johnny Nichols, and Wilmoth. Wilmoth taught the narrator new moves, helped him improve his defensive discipline, and developed his jump shot.
The Tragic Death of Wilmoth 💀 The day after Christmas, Wilmoth was killed in his garage by unknown assailants. He was shot five times in the chest and once in the head. The narrator's mother received the news and was devastated.
The Aftermath The police investigation was unable to determine the motive behind Wilmoth's murder. The narrator's mother was in denial and couldn't accept the reality of the situation. The narrator was left to process the trauma of the event, feeling rage and fear.
Funeral and Burial The narrator and his mother attended Wilmoth's funeral, where they saw the police tape and the crime scene. The narrator's mother packed a dress for the funeral, still in denial about Wilmoth's death.
The Impact of Trauma on the Narrator's Life Grieving and Fear The narrator was still grieving and trying to make sense of the tragedy. He was fearful of the world and felt like his sky-blue future had been taken away. He became obsessed with watching the news, replaying the footage of Wilmoth's death over and over.
My Sophomore Year in High School: A Journey of Self-Discovery 📚
Basketball and Identity I returned to Northview High School, where I had a memorable entrance, wearing oversized clothes and a backward hat. I was trying to fit in with the hip-hop culture, but deep down, I was insecure and felt like an imposter.
Basketball Tryouts I showed up to basketball tryouts, but my attitude and style clashed with the coaches' expectations. I was used to talking trash on the court, but this was seen as unacceptable in Brazil.
Racism in Brazil I experienced racism firsthand in Brazil, from being called a racial slur by a stranger to being humiliated by Pam's father in a public restaurant.
Hiding in Plain Sight During my sophomore year, I tried to hide from my problems by sitting in the back row, not participating in class, and avoiding confrontation.
Racism in a Small Town 🏠
The Incident in Spanish Class The narrator recounts an incident in his Spanish class where someone drew a racist image and wrote a threatening message in his workbook. This event led to a series of encounters with racism in his school and town.
KKK in Center Point Four years later, in 1995, the Ku Klux Klan marched down the main street of Brazil, Indiana, on Independence Day. The KKK was active in Center Point, a town 15 minutes away from Brazil, and kids from there attended the narrator's school.
Loneliness and Fear The narrator felt a deep sense of loneliness and fear, wondering who his enemies were and who might want him dead because of the color of his skin. He struggled to carry the weight of being the only black person in his school and social circle.
Invisible Racism "Most, if not all, minorities, women, and gay people in America know that strain of loneliness well. Of walking into rooms where you are the only one of your kind."
SEAL Training: Hell Week 🏊♂️
The Inner Beast During Hell Week, the author discovered an inner beast within himself that he never knew existed. This beast gave him the strength to tap into his inner power and overcome challenges.
Turning Point The author's turning point came when he was ordered to swim out to his boat in open water during a storm. This task seemed impossible, but he knew he had to take the risk to prove himself.
Overcoming Fear The author's fear of open water and swimming in the storm was overcome by his desire to prove himself and distance himself from the pack. He knew that refusing the order would mean giving up, and he wasn't willing to do that.
Mindset of Uncommon 🏋️♂️
Uncommon Standards Having one's own uncommon standards to live up to, regardless of what others think.
Becoming Battle-Ready 💪 The author took charge of PT (Physical Training) in his second platoon and aimed to make them the hardest SEAL platoon in the fight. He believed in living the SEAL Ethos and earning the Trident every day.
The SEAL Ethos "A Navy SEAL's duty is to maintain a BUD/S mentality and prove themselves every day."
Overcoming Adversity and Embracing Failure 🏋️♂️
Delta Selection and the Power of Perseverance David Goggins shared his experience of participating in Delta Selection, where he suffered an ankle injury that made it difficult for him to complete the land navigation test. Despite the setback, he didn't give up and showed up the next day, determined to continue.
Dealing with Prejudice and Self-Doubt Goggins also shared his experience of encountering prejudice in various forms, including in the military and in his personal life. Instead of letting it hold him back, he used it as fuel to drive him forward.
The Importance of Self-Awareness and Growth Goggins realized that his confrontational approach had limitations and created unnecessary enemies. He had to find higher ground and turn his negative experiences into positives.
Time Management Essentials 🕒
Cutting Out the Bullshit To make the most of your time, eliminate non-essential activities that do not contribute to your goals. Audit your schedule, identify time-wasting habits, and eviscerate them.
Scheduling like a Pro Block everything into windows of time to optimize your day. Prioritize your tasks and allocate specific times for each activity. Use your smartphone to set calendar alerts and reminders.
Rest and Recovery 🛋️ Rest days are essential for recharging your mind and body. Schedule one full rest day per week, where you turn off your phone and computer, spend time with friends and family, and eat and drink well.
Ultra Training and Work Ethic 🏃♂️
Goggins' Training Schedule Goggins would wake up at 3:00 a.m. to train, followed by a full day of work. He would then train again in the evening, sometimes till late at night. This schedule allowed him to acclimate to the high altitude ultra-marathon in Leadville, Colorado.
The Importance of Hard Work "Our culture has become hooked on the quick-fix, the life hack, efficiency. Everyone is on the hunt for that simple action algorithm that nets maximum profit with the least amount of effort. There's no denying this attitude may get you some of the trappings of success, if you're lucky, but it will not lead to a calloused mind or self-mastery."
The 40% Rule A 40-hour work week is only 40% effort. There are 168 hours in a week, leaving plenty of time for extra work, exercise, and personal activities.
Real-Life Examples Goggins' friend, Mike, is a high-powered financial advisor in New York City who also finds time to be an ultra-runner. Mike wakes up at 4:00 a.m. every weekday to run, rides a bike to work, and does a quick treadmill run after getting home.
Conclusion
David Goggins' story is a testament to the power of mental and emotional resilience. By confronting and overcoming immense adversity, he illustrates the path to self-mastery and achieving greatness. His journey inspires readers to break free from limitations, embrace their struggles, and pursue their true potential relentlessly.
Reflections: Pain and suffering are essential for personal growth. Embracing these elements allows us to develop great character and achieve lifelong learning and excellence. Goggins' story is a powerful reminder that enduring hardship and pushing beyond our limits can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.
