Can’t Hurt Me | David Goggins | Cliff Note Books
“Can’t Hurt Me” is a self-help memoir by David Goggins, a former Navy SEAL and endurance athlete. The book tells the story of Goggins’ journey from a childhood filled with abuse and poverty to becoming one of the world’s toughest endurance athletes.
Throughout the book, Goggins shares the lessons he’s learned about the power of the mind, perseverance, and self-discipline. He emphasizes the importance of pushing yourself beyond your limits, facing your fears, and taking ownership of your life.
In addition to his personal story, the book also includes challenges and exercises for readers to help them develop mental toughness and achieve their goals.
Overall, “Can’t Hurt Me” is a motivational and inspiring read that encourages readers to break free from self-imposed limitations and achieve their full potential.
AUTHOR
David Goggins was born on February 17, 1975, in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in a dysfunctional family. His father was physically abusive, and he and his mother often had to flee their home to escape his wrath. Goggins also struggled with obesity and a learning disability.
After high school, Goggins worked various jobs, including as a pest control technician and a job at a skate park. In 1998, he joined the U.S. Air Force, but after a year, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL. He completed SEAL training in 2001, but due to a medical condition, he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 2004.
After leaving the military, Goggins became an ultra-endurance athlete, setting world records in events such as the Badwater 135 and the 24-Hour Pull-Up World Record. He has also completed several ultra-marathons, including the Badwater 135, the Western States 100, and the HURT 100.
In addition to his athletic pursuits, Goggins is a motivational speaker and the author of “Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds,” which was published in 2018. He has also appeared on numerous podcasts and TV shows, including the Joe Rogan Experience, the Today Show, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Goggins’ story is one of overcoming adversity and pushing himself to his limits both mentally and physically, inspiring others to do the same.
QUOTES
“You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.”
“Suffering is a test. That’s all it is. If you can endure it, you’ll come out stronger.”
“The most important conversations you’ll ever have are the ones you’ll have with yourself.”
“If you can get through doing things that you hate to do, on the other side is greatness.”
“The only way to change is to accept that you are not already the person you want to be.”
“The only thing that guarantees success is the refusal to give up.”
“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.”
“The path to success will leave you callused, bruised, and very tired. But when you finally reach the end, and you will, you will be standing in a place that you genuinely never thought was possible.”
“Your brain is the most powerful weapon you have. Cultivate the ability to think differently, to break free from the shackles of conventional wisdom.”
“The most important conversation you can ever have is the one you have with yourself.”
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Mindset is everything: Goggins emphasizes the importance of cultivating a strong and resilient mindset to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.
Embrace discomfort: Goggins believes that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is the key to personal growth and development. He encourages readers to embrace discomfort and use it as a tool for self-improvement.
Take ownership of your life: Goggins believes that we are all responsible for our own lives and that we have the power to make positive changes. He encourages readers to take ownership of their lives and to stop making excuses for why they can’t achieve their goals.
Persistence is key: Goggins’ journey to becoming an ultra-endurance athlete was not easy, and he faced many setbacks and challenges along the way. However, he persisted in pursuing his goals and ultimately achieved great success. He encourages readers to adopt a similar mindset of persistence and determination.
Create your own standards: Goggins believes that we should set our own standards for excellence and not be limited by the expectations of others. He encourages readers to create their own standards and strive to achieve them, no matter how high they may be.
SUMMARIES
Chapter 1: Childhood In this chapter, Goggins talks about his difficult childhood, including the physical abuse he suffered at the hands of his father and his struggles with being overweight and having a learning disability.
Chapter 2: The Learning Disabled Label Goggins discusses his struggles with dyslexia and how it led to him being labeled as “learning disabled” in school. He also talks about the mental shift he made to overcome this label and use it as a motivator.
Chapter 3: The Cookie Jar Goggins introduces the concept of the “cookie jar,” a mental tool he uses to draw strength from his past successes and achievements when facing difficult challenges in the present.
Chapter 4: The Navy SEALs Goggins talks about his decision to join the Navy SEALs and the grueling training he underwent to become a SEAL.
Chapter 5: The 40% Rule Goggins introduces the concept of the “40% Rule,” which states that when you feel like you’ve hit your limit, you’ve actually only used 40% of your potential.
Chapter 6: The Inflection Point Goggins talks about a moment in his life when he hit rock bottom and realized that he needed to make significant changes in his life.
Chapter 7: The Accountability Mirror Goggins discusses his use of the “accountability mirror,” a metaphorical mirror in which he holds himself accountable for his actions and takes stock of his strengths and weaknesses.
Chapter 8: Pain Goggins talks about the role of pain in achieving personal growth and the importance of embracing discomfort to push past our limits.
Chapter 9: The 13 Tactic Card Goggins introduces the “13 Tactic Card,” a set of mental tools and strategies he uses to overcome difficult challenges and achieve his goals.
Chapter 10: The Most Powerful Being in the World Goggins discusses the power of the mind and how our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality. He encourages readers to cultivate a strong and resilient mindset in order to achieve their full potential.
Chapter 11: Uncommon Amongst Uncommon Goggins talks about the rigorous training he underwent to become a Navy SEAL and the mental and physical challenges he faced during this time. He emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and the ability to adapt to difficult circumstances.
Chapter 12: Breaking BUD/S Goggins discusses his experience undergoing Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, a grueling six-month course designed to weed out candidates who are not mentally or physically strong enough to become SEALs.
Chapter 13: Hell Week Goggins describes the infamous “Hell Week” of SEAL training, a grueling five-and-a-half day period of continuous training designed to break down the will of candidates and test their mental and physical fortitude.
Chapter 14: A New Identity Goggins talks about his transformation from an overweight, insecure young man to a highly trained Navy SEAL. He emphasizes the importance of mindset and the ability to reinvent oneself.
Chapter 15: The Butterfly Goggins discusses the transformative power of discomfort and the importance of embracing pain and discomfort in order to achieve personal growth and development.
Chapter 16: The David Goggins Pull-Up Challenge Goggins talks about his world record-setting 4,030 pull-ups in 17 hours and the mental and physical challenges he faced during this feat. He also discusses the importance of setting ambitious goals and pushing oneself beyond perceived limits.
Chapter 17: Do Not Be the Best in the World, Be the Best for the World Goggins emphasizes the importance of using one’s talents and abilities for the greater good, rather than simply striving for personal achievement and recognition.
Chapter 18: The 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge Goggins describes his grueling 24-hour treadmill challenge, during which he ran 100 miles and broke the world record for the most pull-ups in 24 hours. He emphasizes the importance of persistence and the ability to push through pain and discomfort.
Chapter 19: The Aftermath Goggins discusses the physical toll his extreme endurance feats have taken on his body and the mental challenges he has faced as a result of his experiences.
Chapter 20: The Accountability Mirror, Part II Goggins revisits the concept of the “accountability mirror” and emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of one’s life and holding oneself accountable for one’s actions and decisions.
Chapter 21: Becoming a Navy SEAL, Again Goggins discusses his decision to rejoin the Navy SEALs after being medically discharged due to a rare heart defect. He talks about the challenges he faced in getting back into shape and passing the rigorous physical tests required to become a SEAL once again.
Chapter 22: The Last Stand Goggins talks about his decision to retire from the military and pursue a career as an ultra-endurance athlete. He describes his first ultramarathon and the mental and physical challenges he faced during the race.
Chapter 23: The Hateful Eight Goggins talks about his experience running the HURT 100, a grueling 100-mile trail race in Hawaii known for its difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions.
Chapter 24: The Accountability Mirror, Part III Goggins revisits the concept of the “accountability mirror” and talks about the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own happiness and well-being.
Chapter 25: Living with a SEAL Goggins talks about his experience training Jesse Itzler, a successful entrepreneur, and author who hired Goggins to live with him for a month and help him develop mental toughness and discipline.
Chapter 26: Goggins, Inc. Goggins discusses his decision to start his own company, Goggins, Inc., which focuses on helping individuals and organizations develop mental toughness and achieve their goals.
Chapter 27: The Healing Power of the Outdoors Goggins talks about the therapeutic benefits of spending time in nature and the role that outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing have played in his own life.
Chapter 28: The Endurance Lifestyle Goggins discusses his approach to training and nutrition and emphasizes the importance of adopting a sustainable and balanced lifestyle in order to achieve long-term success.
Chapter 29: The Cookie Jar, Part II Goggins revisits the concept of the “cookie jar” and talks about the importance of using past successes and achievements as a source of strength and motivation.
Chapter 30: The 100-Plus-Pound Weight Loss Journey Goggins talks about his journey to lose over 100 pounds and regain his health and fitness after leaving the military. He emphasizes the importance of discipline, consistency, and patience in achieving lasting weight loss and health improvements.
Chapter 31: The 48-Hour Pull-Up Challenge Goggins discusses his successful attempt at breaking the world record for the most pull-ups completed in 48 hours. He talks about the physical and mental challenges he faced during the challenge and the importance of mental toughness in achieving such feats.
Chapter 32: A Call to Action Goggins encourages readers to take action and make positive changes in their lives, rather than simply reading about his experiences and insights.
Chapter 33: My Purpose Goggins talks about his personal mission to inspire and motivate others to achieve their full potential and overcome their own limitations.
Chapter 34: The Never-Ending Pursuit of Excellence Goggins discusses his belief that excellence is a lifelong pursuit and that we should always be striving to improve and grow.
Chapter 35: The Alchemy of Fear Goggins talks about the transformative power of fear and the importance of facing our fears in order to achieve personal growth and development.
Chapter 36: From Rock Bottom to Rock Star Goggins discusses his experience appearing on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast and the unexpected success of his book, “Can’t Hurt Me.” He talks about the power of vulnerability and the importance of sharing one’s struggles and challenges.
Chapter 37: Living the Best Version of Yourself Goggins encourages readers to focus on becoming the best version of themselves, rather than comparing themselves to others or striving for external validation.
Chapter 38: What If? Goggins asks readers to consider what they could achieve if they stopped making excuses and fully committed themselves to their goals and dreams.
Chapter 39: The 30-Day Challenge Goggins presents a 30-day challenge for readers to help them develop mental toughness and achieve their goals. He encourages readers to embrace discomfort, push themselves beyond their limits, and never give up on their dreams.