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Summary of Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins
For Dаvіd Gоggіnѕ, childhood wаѕ a nіghtmаrе — роvеrtу, prejudice, аnd physical аbuѕе соlоrеd hіѕ dауѕ and hаuntеd hіѕ nіghtѕ. But thrоugh self-discipline, mental tоughnеѕѕ, аnd hаrd wоrk, Goggins trаnѕfоrmеd himself frоm a depressed, overweight уоung man wіth nо future іntо a U.S. Armеd Fоrсеѕ ісоn аnd оnе of the wоrld'ѕ tор endurance athletes. Thе оnlу mаn іn hіѕtоrу tо complete еlіtе trаіnіng аѕ a Nаvу SEAL, Armу Rаngеr, аnd Air Force Tactical Aіr Controller, hе wеnt оn to ѕеt records іn numerous.
PLEASE This is a summary and analysis of the book and NOT the original book.
Our summaries aim to teach you important lessons in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner. They are coherent, concise, and comprehensive, highlighting the main ideas and concepts found in the original books. Unessential information is removed to save the reader hours of reading time. Save time and money while completing your reading list.
PLEASE This is a summary and analysis of the book and NOT the original book.
Our summaries aim to teach you important lessons in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner. They are coherent, concise, and comprehensive, highlighting the main ideas and concepts found in the original books. Unessential information is removed to save the reader hours of reading time. Save time and money while completing your reading list.
29 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 24, 2018
59 people are currently reading
604 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 8, 2025
Wow, ich finde die Geschichte von David Goggins sehr bewegend und inspirierend. Er hatte nichts und hat dann so viel in seinem Leben geschafft. Aber man muss auch bisschen gaga sein wie er um solche Sachen zu machen :) ich rate jedem davon ab die Sachen nachzumachen, die er gemacht hat weil nur weil er es geschafft hat, heißt es nicht, dass du es auch kannst. Aber er hat mich inspiriert und motiviert meine Ziele, die ich mir vornehme, zu erreichen. Ich würde jedem empfehlen dieses Buch zu lesen
March 19, 2023
3.5 🌟 Dit boek geeft aan dat je gedachtes vaak eerder willen stoppen dan wat je lichaam aan kan (al gaat de auteur hier wel heel erg ver in). Motiverend boek. Niet het gevoel iets te hebben gemist ondanks dat het een samenvatting betrof.
October 21, 2022
Inspiring
July 19, 2023
How the Legend was born. Thank you David for inspiring millions through sharing your hardships and experience you’ve been through
February 19, 2025
Didn’t really get much from this. I think the full version is the way to go, it’s just not available for me on audio book.
September 9, 2023
Don't judge a book by it's cover. I took a lot away from this book. It's an introspective look at David Goggins but it #'s meaning for everyone. The reader will recognise aspects of their own lives in his story.
Not for the faint hearted.
Not for the faint hearted.
October 4, 2019
This was so inspirational.
September 21, 2019
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 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.
credit for summary points
- I was first introduced to the writer David Goggins through listening to his interview on the Joe Rogan podcast describing his book and philosophy in life which was inspiring to say the least since its being one of the most memorable podcasts I've listened to.
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 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.
credit for summary points
- I was first introduced to the writer David Goggins through listening to his interview on the Joe Rogan podcast describing his book and philosophy in life which was inspiring to say the least since its being one of the most memorable podcasts I've listened to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2021
I wasn't a fan of this guys personality. Some of what he shared was worthwhile and valuable. Could have done without the super macho stuff and the misogyny. Overwhelmingly I just kept thinking about how much trouble and pain he could have avoided if he had asked for help and it reminded me of the trope that men won't ask for directions. He could have still accomplished everything he did. There's a masochistic vibe here for sure. I do believe we grow through pain and suffering but to actively put ourselves through it unnecessarily doesn't make sense to me. Especially if we can still achieve our goals and learn the same lessons. Also, whereas I believe that he had a very difficult life, I think it shows a lack of awareness for him to continually say it was more difficult than most anyone else's life. Just a quick look around the globe and you can find many people suffering in extreme situations they can't escape and may very well die in.
June 19, 2022
It’s interesting to see how people can take their pain and use it as a ‘knife in their back’ to motivate them to do unbelievable things - it’s a sad side effect when you begin to loose the ones you love because that pain is still haunting your every step and effecting your relationships in all kinds of ways. It really shows the importance of processing through the pain of our past and preventing it from dictating our lives! I gave three stars because I don’t believe it’s good to try take too many life lessons from someone who is stuffing their pain down and using it to achieve things with seriously bad side effects in their life. Read it with this with a grain of salt and remember the importance and priority of having and maintaining loving relationships with your spouse, family friends and work team mates!
July 29, 2019
Inspiring
April 17, 2021
Major concepts were COMMIT TO YOUR GOALS - when your mind tells you to stop is when you're 40% complete.
Read
August 4, 2025Absolutely. Here's a detailed review of "Can’t Hurt Me" by David Goggins—a book that punches hard and inspires even harder:
📚 Book Review: Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
Author: David Goggins
Genre: Memoir / Self-Help / Motivation
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
"Can’t Hurt Me" is not your typical motivational book—it’s raw, brutal, and completely unfiltered. David Goggins tells the story of how he transformed himself from a severely abused, overweight, depressed young man into one of the toughest endurance athletes and Navy SEALs in the world.
This is a memoir about mental toughness, built not from feel-good affirmations but through pain, discipline, and absolute honesty. Goggins doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He grew up in a violent home, experienced racism, poverty, and failures—but instead of being broken by them, he used them as fuel.
Through intense physical challenges—ultramarathons, Navy SEAL Hell Week (which he did three times), and world record attempts—Goggins pushed himself far beyond what most people think is possible. But the real battle, he says, wasn’t physical—it was in his mind.
💥 Key Themes:
Accountability and self-discipline
Turning pain into power
No-excuses mindset
Reaching your full potential through suffering
💡 What Makes It Stand Out:
This book hits hard because it’s not about being naturally gifted—it’s about being willing to do the work nobody else wants to do. Goggins introduces the idea of the "40% rule"—that when your mind says you're done, you're only at 40% of your true capacity. He backs this up with brutal real-life tests, not theories.
Each chapter ends with “Challenges” that ask you to face your own excuses and push your limits, physically or mentally.
⚠️ Heads Up:
Goggins uses very strong language throughout the book—he's blunt, sometimes harsh, and unapologetically intense. If you're sensitive to profanity or prefer a gentle tone, this might not be the right read.
(There’s also a clean, edited version available if you want to avoid the explicit version.)
🌟 Best for Readers Who:
Are struggling with self-doubt, trauma, or laziness
Want a no-BS approach to discipline and growth
Are ready to push their limits physically or mentally
💭 Final Thoughts:
"Can’t Hurt Me" is a wake-up call to stop making excuses and start taking control. It's not just inspiring—it’s challenging. Goggins doesn’t want to lift you up; he wants to make you stronger. And if you’re facing a personal storm right now, this book might give you the fire you need to keep standing.
Want a few of his toughest quotes or the 40% rule explained simply? I can break that down too.
📚 Book Review: Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
Author: David Goggins
Genre: Memoir / Self-Help / Motivation
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
"Can’t Hurt Me" is not your typical motivational book—it’s raw, brutal, and completely unfiltered. David Goggins tells the story of how he transformed himself from a severely abused, overweight, depressed young man into one of the toughest endurance athletes and Navy SEALs in the world.
This is a memoir about mental toughness, built not from feel-good affirmations but through pain, discipline, and absolute honesty. Goggins doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He grew up in a violent home, experienced racism, poverty, and failures—but instead of being broken by them, he used them as fuel.
Through intense physical challenges—ultramarathons, Navy SEAL Hell Week (which he did three times), and world record attempts—Goggins pushed himself far beyond what most people think is possible. But the real battle, he says, wasn’t physical—it was in his mind.
💥 Key Themes:
Accountability and self-discipline
Turning pain into power
No-excuses mindset
Reaching your full potential through suffering
💡 What Makes It Stand Out:
This book hits hard because it’s not about being naturally gifted—it’s about being willing to do the work nobody else wants to do. Goggins introduces the idea of the "40% rule"—that when your mind says you're done, you're only at 40% of your true capacity. He backs this up with brutal real-life tests, not theories.
Each chapter ends with “Challenges” that ask you to face your own excuses and push your limits, physically or mentally.
⚠️ Heads Up:
Goggins uses very strong language throughout the book—he's blunt, sometimes harsh, and unapologetically intense. If you're sensitive to profanity or prefer a gentle tone, this might not be the right read.
(There’s also a clean, edited version available if you want to avoid the explicit version.)
🌟 Best for Readers Who:
Are struggling with self-doubt, trauma, or laziness
Want a no-BS approach to discipline and growth
Are ready to push their limits physically or mentally
💭 Final Thoughts:
"Can’t Hurt Me" is a wake-up call to stop making excuses and start taking control. It's not just inspiring—it’s challenging. Goggins doesn’t want to lift you up; he wants to make you stronger. And if you’re facing a personal storm right now, this book might give you the fire you need to keep standing.
Want a few of his toughest quotes or the 40% rule explained simply? I can break that down too.
November 24, 2019
This is such an inspirational book. This book is about David, who grew up in an abusive household and a broken one. He was beat as a young child. He grew up in an neighborhood where his father owned a skating rink and was made to work in it along with his brothers. David grew up and spiraled down throughout life until he decided to join the military. He was able to get in the Air Force and after he spiraled back down and started living paycheck to paycheck outside military. He came across a documentary that inspired him to be able to be a Navy Seal. He was laughed at for his excessive weight gain after his service, and was given a goal to lose one hundred pounds within three months. This book is about David's goal and how he accomplished it regardless from all the doubt from others.
March 7, 2022
Takeaways: can push through more than you think. Mind stops you before your actual body gives out. You have more time in the day than you think—account for it and use it more how you would ideally like to.
Still, I was disturbed by the torture of the human body described here. This man really harmed his health and it’s not like it was for a critical goal… what were the stakes REALLY if he didn’t run that race? What would be the harm in training for longer and letting the body heal in between?
Honestly while there are some good takeaways, the story of this man’s life shows a very unhealthy and unhappy mindset imo. It should be no surprise his body starts to break down from stress at the end.
Still, I was disturbed by the torture of the human body described here. This man really harmed his health and it’s not like it was for a critical goal… what were the stakes REALLY if he didn’t run that race? What would be the harm in training for longer and letting the body heal in between?
Honestly while there are some good takeaways, the story of this man’s life shows a very unhealthy and unhappy mindset imo. It should be no surprise his body starts to break down from stress at the end.
February 4, 2021
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins is an autobiography that helps drives readers regardless how hard and difficult our lives become. David provides his hardships from when he was a child from abuse physically and socially, to the intense pain physically and mentally in BUD/S Training, to doing triathlons and ultramarathons. This book helped me build a “calloused mind” and find that drive within me. He does a great job being true to himself. If your not a fan of profanity this book is not for you. Great audio book to listen to when running. Overall grade 7/10.
January 19, 2022
2.5 Stars. Certainly inspirational what this guy did going against serious odds. Despite Goggins wasn't a battle hardened Operator and in the SEAL community he isn't really well known the man achieved some serious results nonetheless. He was the honor grad of his ranger class is highly impressive as is his perseverance to keep pushing until he hit his goals (Seal training 3x etc). The summary of the book is all I needed here and the key takeaway is Goggins' "don't be comfortable" as a mantra to always be doing and getting better.
March 31, 2022
I think this man’s story is really inspiring and it touches me because I am an overweight urban black youth trying to be the best I can be. I think it can give you a lot of inspiration for pushing through and learning not to limit yourself. But it also felt a little.. showy?or maybe that’s not the word… masochistic?I understand pushing yourself but sometimes he pushed himself so far that it almost felt like it was too much? I think there’s something here but it was covered by a lot of other things…and this was the summary! So.. 2 stars. He’s still a fucking beast though.
August 16, 2023
I could feel after reading David goggins whole f**king life story, why they are calling him the strongest man on the world. I don't have a nerve to imagine, how he endured all the physical pain through his unbreakable mental toughness. If you're the person who is complaining about the pain you go through in the everyday life, then this book is for you. It will give you the different perspective about suffering and pain. Human body is capable of hell lot of things to achieve, once we master the mind. Mad respect to f*cking goggins.
March 21, 2020
Inspiring read about a man who boggles the mind in the way he plowed forward to reach his goals, all the while ignoring his own body’s needs. As in, ‘broken leg?’ No worries, I’ll just bind it up & run a zillion miles on it anyway!
He is THAT determined to be the man he always dreamed of being. Have to hand it to him, he doesn’t let anything get in his way. Quite inspirational but also a hair short of being wacky.
He is THAT determined to be the man he always dreamed of being. Have to hand it to him, he doesn’t let anything get in his way. Quite inspirational but also a hair short of being wacky.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2023
Wasn’t sure if I want to read the full book. This summary is quick read and has important lessons. I think the information was definitely worth the hour it took to read. Not necessarily my outlook on life, but I can commend him for his perseverance. I actually learned a decent amount of mental challenges to implement in my life. Interested to see my partners thoughts as he’s reading the whole book.
May 9, 2022
Good man that Goggins is. This could get the average Joe into the gym for a month or two but the “accountability mirror” will soon get foggy.
Would I recommend? No.
Would I read a part 2 of this or any other Goggins book again? No.
It was nice to read his story but that’s just it. It’s his story. Make your own.
Would I recommend? No.
Would I read a part 2 of this or any other Goggins book again? No.
It was nice to read his story but that’s just it. It’s his story. Make your own.
September 30, 2024
I like the visual of a seed bursting from the inside to grow. I also appreciated the thought that just because we envision something for our lives it doesn’t mean we are entitled to it. Sometimes goals take longer than our time frame or what we could like and that’s okay.
February 18, 2025
this guys was born with 0% talent 100% hard working. his life story are full of struggles, perseverance and fighting against all the odds.
truly inspiring.
“There is no finish line, there is no finish line”
truly inspiring.
“There is no finish line, there is no finish line”
November 14, 2025
David Goggins shares his unbelievable journey from struggle to mental toughness. This book is raw, intense, and extremely motivating. Goggins proves that the human mind can overcome almost anything with discipline and consistency. A must-read for anyone who wants to build an unshakeable mindset.
March 12, 2021
fabulous read so inspirational... what a guy
September 2, 2021
Inspiring
September 3, 2021
This book is too good
December 14, 2021
So inspiring, made me feel like I could do anything after reading it.
Read
June 14, 2022The book has given me great insight of how legends are built.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews