#1080 - David Goggins

At a Glance

• Transformation from Insecurity to Strength - “I was that guy who ran away from absolutely everything that I got in front of me. But not many people knew that… The real me was this very scared, insecure, stuttering, got beat up by his dad, all this kind of stuff”. Goggins opens up about his past insecurities and fears, emphasizing the drastic transformation he underwent to become the resilient figure he is today.

• Impact of Childhood Trauma - “My dad owned skating rinks. He owned bars. He ran prostitutes from Canada to Buffalo, New York. My dad was a big-time pimp, big-time anything bad about a person, big-time hustler”. Goggins shares details of his traumatic childhood, revealing how his father’s abusive behavior and illegal activities shaped his early life and instilled a deep-seated fear in him.

• Facing Racism and Overcoming Adversity - “There was about maybe 10 black families out of about 10,000 people in the town. And in 1995, the KKK marched in the Fourth of July parade… I had stuff on my notebook, you know, nigger, we’re going to kill you, on my Spanish notebook”. Goggins describes the intense racism he faced growing up in a predominantly white town, highlighting the additional layers of adversity he had to overcome.

• The Turning Point - “I was spraying at different steak and shakes, red lobster, whatever… And what changed, I came home and watched this Discovery Channel show, Class 224. I came home from steak and shake, I sprayed it down last… And that’s where everything changed for me”. A pivotal moment for Goggins came from watching a documentary on Navy SEAL training, which inspired him to transform his life and pursue the rigorous path of becoming a Navy SEAL.

• Developing Mental Toughness - “I became the most obsessed person on the planet Earth… I had to invent a guy that can take any pain, any suffering, any kind of judgment… and be able to stand in the fucking room and say, go fuck yourself”. Goggins describes his intense mental conditioning process, where he pushed himself beyond perceived limits to build an unbreakable mindset, ultimately leading to his incredible achievements in physical and mental endurance.

What to Do

• Embrace Discomfort - Goggins suggests embracing discomfort as a growth tool, saying, “Anything that was horrible in my life that I would normally say no to, I had to go do it”.

• Face Your Fears - He advocates confronting fears directly to overcome them, stating, “The first thing I started doing is facing every fear I have, no matter what it is”.

• Develop Mental Toughness - Goggins emphasizes the importance of building mental resilience through consistent effort and self-discipline, explaining, “I started callousing my mind at this point in my life”.

• Engage in Self-Reflection - He highlights the value of reflecting on one’s progress and growth, noting, “The time I wasn’t working out was the best time of my life because I got a chance to reflect back and be proud of who I became”.

• Maintain Persistence and Resilience - Goggins encourages persistence and resilience when facing challenges, advising, “I’d go back to scratch, use some positive motivation, and keep pushing forward”.

What to Get

• Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins - Amazon

• Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within by David Goggins - Amazon

• Pull Up Bar - Amazon - Goggins mentions using a pull-up bar extensively for his workouts, describing his routine of doing hundreds of reps: “I just kept doing pull-ups, hundreds of reps”.

• Bicycle - Amazon - Goggins discusses using a bicycle for extensive endurance training, mentioning, “I became damn near a professional cyclist with the miles I put on the bike”.

• Swimming Fins - Amazon - He describes using swimming fins to enhance his swimming abilities, saying, “Putting fins on kind of equalized my body”.

• 42-Ounce Shake and Box of Mini Donuts - Amazon - Reflects Goggins’ unhealthy eating habits during a low point in his life. The sentiment is negative, illustrating his poor health and self-image at the time.

• Duct Tape - Amazon - Used by Goggins to support his injured legs during Hell Week in SEAL training. The sentiment is positive, showcasing his determination and resourcefulness.

Summary

In this intense and motivational episode, Joe Rogan sits down with David Goggins, a former Navy SEAL, ultra-endurance athlete, and motivational speaker. Goggins shares his extraordinary journey from a troubled childhood marked by abuse and obesity to becoming one of the toughest endurance athletes in the world. He opens up about the severe challenges he faced, including growing up with an abusive father and struggling with low self-esteem and learning disabilities. Goggins reveals how a moment of self-realization while watching a Navy SEAL documentary sparked a radical transformation, pushing him to lose over 100 pounds in three months to qualify for SEAL training. His story is a testament to the power of mental resilience and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement.

As the discussion progresses, Goggins delves into his experiences in the military, particularly the brutal SEAL training and multiple Hell Weeks he endured. He emphasizes the importance of mental toughness, detailing how he developed a “calloused mind” to withstand extreme physical and mental challenges. Goggins describes his philosophy of embracing discomfort and adversity as tools for growth, highlighting his grueling training routines and the mindset that helped him overcome significant obstacles. Joe and David share moments of agreement and mutual respect, with Joe frequently expressing admiration for Goggins’ unyielding determination and extraordinary achievements.

The conversation also explores Goggins’ post-military endeavors, including his impressive feats in ultra-endurance sports. He discusses his strategies for pushing through pain and exhaustion, sharing insights into his rigorous training regimen and the mental techniques he uses to stay focused and motivated. Goggins’ approach to life, characterized by an uncompromising commitment to pushing beyond perceived limits, inspires listeners to re-evaluate their own boundaries and embrace a mindset of relentless self-discipline and resilience. Throughout the podcast, the camaraderie between Joe and David is palpable, punctuated by moments of humor and deep reflection on the human potential for overcoming adversity.