Endure: How to Work Hard, Outlast, and Keep Hammering

by Cameron R. Hanes

Living in a small town where dreams were dismissed and bouncing between the homes of divorced parents, Cameron Hanes carried low expectations and no hope for a life of fulfilled potential. Then he discovered his great love - the bow. For Cameron, finding his drive, his purpose, a reason for pushing himself every single day, changed everything.

Endure chronicles the lessons Cameron has learned and compels us to raise our expectations of ourselves. Cameron inspires us to have the work ethic, endurance and resiliency needed to push our limits and break the barriers that keep us from our true purpose.

From the unforgiving mountains to the rugged running trails to mastering his skills with a bow, Endure takes us to places of risk, challenge, and adventure so that we can realize the impossible isn't too far out of reach. Truly exceptional people don't excel because of their outstanding abilities. They become exceptional because they're obsessed with improvement.

Endure redefines hard work and inspires us all to cultivate the grit, discipline and dedication needed in order to maximize each day of life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Biography, Personal Development, Health, Sports

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2022

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not the right audience for this book. I also found the title of the book to be slightly deceiving. The title implies to me that the subject of the book informs the reader on how to get through the grind and continue working harder when struggling. That was not at all the content of the book.
• 40% of the book was about bow hunting,
• Another 40% was a sales pitch on how tough the author is to have endured all he did while training for bow hunting, and
• The remaining 20% of the content in the book were a bunch of cliché statements about how you just need to push through and work harder to outlast.
I'm incredibly stubborn and like to finish reading books even if I don't seem to like them at the beginning. I want to give them a chance to redeem themselves. However, in this instance the disappointment that I felt when reading the first three to five chapters did not go away as I worked through the book. I was hoping that the author would get a little more detailed into the psychological aspects of how he was able to push through his difficulties during times of adversity, but that did not happen. I would argue that unless you know the author personally or are very much into the world of bow hunting, this book likely wouldn't interest you.

[Amer Atiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Learnt more about endurance by trying to endure this book than by reading its contents, great efforts tho Cam, keep hammering

[Simon Bullock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cam is undoubtedly an interesting dude with an undeniable grit and hustle. Love listening to him on the JRE. A bit of low rating just because I didn't get much out of this as a reader. This book seemed more for Cam, than for an audience. There's not much here to "get into" or thereby a story; feels more like a compendium of journal entries. I'm sure some people will get some inspiration from it, but I'd recommend more Goggins or Jocko if you want a "hustle-hard" book with some story and insight.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I had the opportunity to read this book thanks to a Good reads giveaway.

I definitely had a conflicting time reading this book. While I often found what the author said to be repetitive and/or contradictory of it’s self, I also found myself really engaged in the story. When Hanes wrote about his experiences with particular ultra marathon runs, the losses he experienced or meaningful hints he went on I found it really interesting. Hanes has had an interesting and unique life that could fill many books. I did struggle constantly reading the message “I’m not special, I just work hard”. Besides the fact I feel that I am far from this book’s target audience, I just found myself checking out every time and then eventually just skipping the sections of the “inspirational questions”. So much potential to be a great book that could reach a wide variety of people.

[Christopher · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title has "How to..." in it. I was hoping for a tiny bit of 'how to' knowledge. Perhaps some training tips or diet, but all it offered repeatedly was, 'be as tough as me, most can't, but at least try or you're a little b-tch. Did I mention I bow hunt, and bow hunt, and bow hunt....I'm tough, most aren't, I am. Don't give up, if you give up you're a little b-itch. I like to bow hunt." Woof that was actually painful.

[Gregg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not sure what the point of this is. It is part motivational speech, part bow hunting memoir, part eulogy. “I’ve achieved some success in unrelated fields so read my rambling book with no plot and direction.” This was a waste of time. I don’t need an individual that has risen to the very top of a field that consists of ~7 people yelling at me to get out of bed and droning on about largely unrelated fields of vegans, ultramarathons, bow hunting, and personal finance. I wish I hadn’t purchased this and I recommend you don’t either…there are better books in this genre.

[Deirdre Rosenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was fine. Nothing new. A little weird, a little… off putting. The general themes are nice, but I think this book got repetitive and a bit off topic in places. Off topic in a way that made no sense. The intro by JR was really bizarre.

All in all this could have been a blog post by Cam. Or a podcast episode. It didn’t need to be a book and WOW is the title misleading.

I got a refund on audible for it- something I’ve never requested. But I was not looking for a book of humble brags and bow hunting. I was thinking this was supposed to be inspiring and about working hard.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much respect to the author, as I’d not heard of him before and he’s an accomplished athlete/bowhunter.

I love read-by-author memoirs of people who endured through challenging circumstances, but couldn’t get 100% into this one. Still a decent listen though, even if I did speed the playback up a few notches while listening.

Random selection checked out from my local library.

[Nathan Dillon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cameron Hanes is undoubtably an interesting person.

But as a reader, one can’t help but empathize with a dying elk. With each paragraph I felt as though I were struck by another non-mortal and repetitive blow, hoping for the sweet embrace of death but all the while knowing that I would be forced to live through yet another sentence.

[Blake Deines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like the cyclical nature of Native American oral literature seen from the Iroquois, Navajo, and Algonquian peoples, Cameron Hanes also exhibits this trait in his story telling. This is how the Native American peoples and Cam like to tell their history and tales to teach life long lessons. Cam repeatedly hits home on topics such as: friendship, fatherhood, and giving a little more each day in pursuit of passion and dreams. Obsessing over earning this gift of life we are given each and every day through hard work, grit, and determination. This cyclical type of story telling is far from a bad thing! In fact it keeps hammering the points he is trying to get across to the reader. Truly a zero to hero story that can be devoured in mere days. I highly recommend and encourage readers of all ages and walks of life to give this book a read.

The Foreword from Joe Rogan and the Afterword by David Goggins are an amazing garnishing on top of an incredible book.

[Matias Myllyrinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been a great book. However, it is unfortunately a glorified blog post. The writers core message is train hard, follow your passion and be obsessed about what you want to be good at. That kind of gets told in different (and the same) manner over and over again.

He clearly has passion and is unique, yet there are only rare moments when he actually takes you along for the ride and shares something.

It is interesting to hear someone who trains for ultras, does well in their own field and is unrelenting… but feels like there should have been more here. Feels like a wasted opportunity.

[Luke Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspiring book but one that could be condensed into a twitter thread

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for Endure: How to Work Hard, Outlast and Keep Hammering (audiobook) by Cameron Hanes read by the author.

This is a fascinating story of a rather average guy that got hooked on bowhunting. And that passion turned into an obsession to be the best that he can be. Along the way Cameron Hanes figured out that he needed to be fit and that led to pushing himself ever increasing limits. Ultimately he now competes in ultra marathons so when he’s hunting he’s nowhere near his limits. He does all of this with a full time job and a family. I’m not sure how inspiring this story is for me, it just makes me feel lazy no matter how hard I’ve worked and how exhausted I feel.

Joe Rogan took notice of his crazy training routine and had him on his show. And Cameron introduced Joe to bowhunting and it’s changed his life. Cameron has also become friends with the former Navy SEAL and now ultra endurance athlete David Goggins. And they like to train together and push each other to find their limits.

[Mehrzad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gave me David Goggins vibes. I think if there's one thing that will stick to mind for the rest of my days is the ending of one of the chapters, where he started talking about "no one cares, #keephammering".

Hands down, one of the best autobiographies I have ever read or listened to.

//

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

- They don't make statues of critics
- stay strong in your conviction

Good read. Some things could have been taken out to make it better.
Gets better halfway through the book.

[SneakySquid · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me. Although, i am a bow hunter I found this quite stretched and full of bragging. More of a long form magazine about this bow hunter than a book about "how to" do anything.

[Cav · Rating 2 out of 5]

"LIFE IS NEVER MADE UNBEARABLE BY CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT ONLY BY A LACK OF MEANING AND PURPOSE."
– VIKTOR FRANKL

Despite being really excited to start Endure, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I thought I would... I am typically a huge fan of books about the fields of high performance, mastery, grit, and excellence. I have read just about every book I can get my hands on in this genre. And despite having a high-energy intro by Joe Rogan, and an Epilogue by the BAMF David Goggins himself, Endure just did not meet my expectations. More below.

Author Cameron Hanes was born October 2, 1967. He is an endurance athlete, backcountry bowhunter, author, entrepreneur, and podcast host. He is the owner of Keep Hammering brand and an Under Armour sponsored athlete.

Cameron R. Hanes:


The book opens with a good intro. Hanes tells the reader about his passion for bowhunting. In the book's preface, Joe Rogan says he has a 100% success rate in hunting elk; which is a rare feat. Later on in the book, Hanes mentions that a good hunter can have a 10% success rate. It turns out that elk don't like to be hunted, and they are a twitchy bunch... Crack a twig in the brush from 300 yards away, and they're gone. Meanwhile, they're wandering onto the highways all the time. Go figure LMAO.

The writing here is part autobiography, part self-help, and part motivation. Sadly, despite saying "How to.." in the book's title, there is no real actionable advice presented here, other than "keep going," "give it all you got," and other assorted generic rah-rahing. This is ok in small doses, but there's nothing else deeper in the book...

The top review of the book here sums up my feelings:
"The title implies to me that the subject of the book informs the reader on how to get through the grind and continue working harder when struggling. That was not at all the content of the book.
• 40% of the book was about bow hunting,
• Another 40% was a sales pitch on how tough the author is to have endured all he did while training for bow hunting, and
• The remaining 20% of the content in the book were a bunch of cliché statements about how you just need to push through and work harder to outlast."

And the above 40% figure is not an exaggeration. Despite saying: "Regardless of how it may appear, this book isn’t about bowhunting," at the start of the book, most of the writing here is either directly about, or leads right back to bowhunting...


***********************

Undoubtedly, Cameron Hanes is an amazing athlete and hunter, and his mindset seems to be rock solid. Unfortunately, his book left much to be desired for me...
I would not recommend it. There are many others in this genre that would be a better use of your time.
2.5 stars.

[Ruan Stander · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok sure, I get it. You bow hunt, and you write… about bow hunting. And yes, you grind! Your ass off! Every day. You bleed, and sweat, and suffer, and push, and never quit! But for what? For yourself? To be a good bow hunter? To be the best bow hunter? Good for you.

I’m not sure I’m for that. I think life is about adding value. I believe grinding and hard work only holds long lasting value when it is aimed at valuable things. You have super human discipline, but you aim it at hunting dear, and writing about hunting dear.

Being the best at something is not enough. Being mildly good at rehabilitating the earth around old mines, adds more value than being able to shoot an arrow the farthest in world... for instance.

You make some good points, and yes it is inspirational. But, I mean, if Elon Musk or Steve Jobs or Gandhi wrote this, I would be like “ok shit! This is how you add value to the world”.

My conclusion - hard work is merited by what you work on.

[Anna Eshuis · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF@142. Or something. Not even sure what page I quit at, to be quite honest. I’m not sure what I thought this book was going to be about but I certainly didn’t think it was going to just be some guy jerking off over all of his hunting conquests. There was nothing particularly insightful about what it takes to “endure” anything, unless the author wanted us to endure his writing style as a test of mental fortitude. I don’t DNF a book often but man, am I glad I failed this test. Waste of time.

[Charles Reed · Rating 1 out of 5]

15%

Nobody actually wants to listen to Cameron complain about people the way he does, that fucking much.

I was super into the first part of the book, then he says, haters don't bother me, but goes on to talk about them for what feels like at least 25% of the book.

Talk about your training and experiences but ffs, don't bitch about people.

[Douglas Collier · Rating 1 out of 5]

Decided to get this book because of David Goggins endorsement. I loved David’s book Can’t Hurt Me. This book is just blah blah blah. Not even going to finish it because life is to short to waste on bad books!

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good that I read it twice. Would suggest listening to it on audible because it is narrated by the author, and it just makes it that much more inspiring and real.

[Simon S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really weak. Nothing close to Goggins’ stuff

[Ryan Beltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cameron Hanes' "Endure" is a remarkable book that offers an inspiring look into the life and mindset of an extraordinary individual. The writing style is clear and accessible, making it a breeze to read and relatable to the Everyman or woman. The stories in this book delve into universal themes such as hardship, love, parenting, and loss, ensuring that there is something for everyone to connect with.

One of the strengths of "Endure" is its structure. While parts of the book delve into hunting—a topic that I initially had little interest in—I found myself gaining a deeper appreciation for the discipline, morals, and life lessons that accompany this practice. Cameron’s respectful tone when discussing hunting should resonate with readers, regardless of their stance on the topic.

Cameron Hanes’ credibility as an author is undeniable. His accomplishments speak volumes about his character and work ethic. Yet, the most significant takeaway from the book is Cameron's portrayal of himself as a regular guy, demonstrating that anyone can better themselves through hard work and discipline. I appreciated how he incorporated the works of others into his journey, not with envy but with a mindset of "what can I learn from them and apply to my own life."

The author's relationship with friends and family, and his honest discussions about friendship, faith, loss, and parenting, make him incredibly endearing. His perspective that “no one cares about your troubles, keep working” is a powerful reminder that we are our greatest allies and that we shouldn't let excuses hinder our progress.

What sets "Endure" apart from other books in the same genre is Cameron’s incorporation of fasting and the insights he has gained from other books and mindsets. This unique blend makes the book a standout read.

However, it’s worth noting that readers who are strongly opposed to hunting might find certain sections challenging. If approached with an open mind, though, there are numerous valuable lessons scattered throughout the pages.

In conclusion, "Endure" by Cameron Hanes is a heartfelt and motivating book that encourages readers to push beyond their limits and continuously strive for self-improvement. It’s a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of personal growth. Whether you're a hunter or not, there is plenty to learn and be inspired by in this compelling narrative.

[Jacob Favacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about bowhunting and running, can’t go wrong here.

[Andrew Lafleche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cameron Hanes’ Endure is less a hunting memoir and more a blueprint for mental toughness, discipline, and pushing past perceived limits. Hanes shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming an elite bowhunter and endurance athlete, showing how an ordinary person can achieve extraordinary results through relentless effort.

What stands out is Hanes’ philosophy of “keep hammering.” He emphasizes consistency over talent, grit over comfort, and passion over excuses. The book isn’t about easy wins—it’s about the grind: early mornings, long runs, and daily sacrifices that compound into meaningful growth.

For professionals, Endure is a powerful reminder that success—whether in business, leadership, or personal life—is rarely about shortcuts. It’s about showing up every day, doing the work when no one is watching, and embracing challenges instead of avoiding them.

If you’re looking for motivation that goes beyond clichés, Hanes delivers an authentic voice that challenges readers to recalibrate their limits. It’s a call to action: to outlast, outwork, and ultimately, endure. It's a reminder of a simple truth: the limits we feel most often are self-imposed.

Takeaway: Talent may open the door, but endurance keeps you moving forward when others quit.

[Nathen Haupt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Update. I initially gave this a 1 star review. I was about halfway through when writing that review. For some reason, I “endured” and kept reading. I just say, the book gets quite good. I had trouble relating to the first half of the book. It almost feels like this is two different books. The running stories and stories about enduring Roth latches and negativity is inspiring. Lesson learned. Definitely worth a read but make sure you ensure until the end. Perhaps Cam did that on purpose?!

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the self-made man story that is Cameron Hanes, only he takes it to another level. His intense motivation to turn around his life and stay focused on pushing himself hard is truly inspiring. He demonstrates with his life how the impossible is possible. Pushing himself beyond the limit in both his Elk hunting and in his running. The embodiment of the ultimate hunter-athlete. This was a great reminder that one has to get comfortable being uncomfortable if you want to experience some of the best that life has to offer.

[Kilian Murphy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written and generally trash

[Anna Kendall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m really disappointed in this book. I couldn’t finish it. It was not at all what I hoped it would be.