Can’t Hurt Me Book Review

The Book in one Sentence

In “Can’t Hurt Me,” David Goggins after overcoming a brutal childhood, details his journey to becoming a Navy SEAL, ultramarathon runner, and advocate for pushing beyond perceived limitations through self-discipline and mental fortitude.

The Five Big Ideas

1. The Accountability Mirror
2. The Governor
3. The 40% Rule
4. The Cookie Jar
5. Taking Souls

Book Summary

David Goggins’ “Can’t Hurt Me” is a powerful and undeniably inspiring memoir. Goggins chronicles his transformation from overweight, depressed young man to elite athlete, overcoming seemingly impossible odds through sheer willpower and mental toughness. His message of self-belief and defying perceived limitations resonates deeply, prompting readers to confront their own fears and unlock their potential.

However, while Goggins’ achievements are undoubtedly remarkable, his advocacy for pushing through physical limitations without proper training raises concerns. His participation in multiple ultramarathons with minimal preparation, solely to prove personal strength, sets a potentially dangerous precedent. While Goggins may possess an exceptional tolerance for pain or a unique ability to recover, his approach is not universally applicable and could lead to serious injuries for others attempting to emulate him.

Therefore, it’s crucial to approach “Can’t Hurt Me” with a critical lens. While the book offers valuable lessons in perseverance, it’s essential to prioritize proper training and preparation before undertaking any physically demanding activity.

Ultimately, “Can’t Hurt Me” is a thought-provoking read that sparks important conversations about self-belief, overcoming adversity, and responsible physical challenges. By acknowledging both the inspirational aspects and potential pitfalls of Goggins’ approach,you can extract valuable lessons and embark on their own journeys of growth and self-discovery through sustainable practices along the way.

Elaboration on the Five Big Ideas

The Accountability Mirror

Goggins began changing his life by speaking to himself in the mirror every night.

He writes,

I set goals, wrote them on Post-It notes, and tagged them to what I now call the Accountability Mirror because each day I’d hold myself accountable to the goals I’d set. At first, my goals involved shaping up my appearance and accomplishing all my chores without having to be asked. […] [It] kept me on point from then on, and though I was still young when this strategy came through me, since then I’ve found it useful for people at any stage in life.

The Governor

According to Goggins, like a car with a governor that places a ceiling on the car’s performance, we, too, have a governor that impedes us from reaching our true potential.

In his own words,

Our governor is buried deep in our minds, intertwined with our very identity. It knows what and who we love and hate; it’s read our whole life story and forms the way we see ourselves and how we’d like to be seen. It’s the software that delivers personalized feedback—in the form of pain and exhaustion, but also fear and insecurity, and it uses all of that to encourage us to stop before we risk it all. But, here’s the thing, it doesn’t have absolute control. Unlike the governor in an engine, ours can’t stop us unless we buy into its bulls*t and agree to quit.

The 40% Rule

Goggins writes that many of us live at 40% of their true capability. Only when we callous our mind through stepping out of our comfort zone on a regular basis can we move beyond it.

He writes,

Most of us give up when we’ve only given around 40 percent of our maximum effort. Even when we feel like we’ve reached our absolute limit, we still have 60 percent more to give! […] Once you know that to be true, it’s simply a matter of stretching your pain tolerance, letting go of your identity and all your self-limiting stories, so you can get to 60 percent, then 80 percent and beyond without giving up. I call this The 40% Rule, and the reason it’s so powerful is that if you follow it, you will unlock your mind to new levels of performance and excellence in sports and in life, and your rewards will run far deeper than mere material success.

The Cookie Jar

Before eating a cookie as a child, Goggins always took the time to admire it first as a way of practicing gratitude. Today, “The Cookie Jar” is a concept he employs whenever he needs a reminder of who he is and what he’s capable of.

In his own words,

We all have a cookie jar inside us, because life, being what it is, has always tested us. Even if you’re feeling low and beat down by life right now, I guarantee you can think of a time or two when you overcame odds and tasted success. It doesn’t have to be a big victory either. It can be something small.

Taking Souls

Goggins coined the term “Taking Souls” after motivating himself to push him and his team harder as a means of getting inside his instructors’ heads.

He writes,

Taking Souls is a ticket to finding your own reserve power and riding a second wind. It’s the tool you can call upon to win any competition or overcome every life obstacle. […] This is a tactic for you to be your best when duty calls. It’s a mind game you’re playing on yourself. Taking someone’s soul means you’ve gained a tactical advantage. Life is all about looking for tactical advantages.

Well that’s it for " Can’t hurt me " see you next blog ;)