"Can't Hurt Me"
This week, the Shade team is reading “Can’t Hurt Me,” a memoir by David Goggins. “Can't Hurt Me” is an intense and inspiring book that pushes readers to challenge their limits. It’s particularly valuable for those seeking motivation, resilience, and mental toughness. However, it’s not for the faint-hearted—it demands a high level of personal accountability and an embrace of discomfort. If you’re looking for a book that will push you beyond your perceived limits, this is a must-read.
The memoir follows the childhood and early adult life of Goggins, from his struggles as an overweight and abused child to his time as a Navy SEAL. The transformation from a child with a troubled upbringing to one of the toughest endurance athletes and military servicemen in history is one that caused many readers to ask themselves: “How did he do it? Can I do it too?”
Goggins encourages his readers to become the best versions of themselves they can be. His methods for this encouragement have been the subject of much debate, and include ideas like:
- Embracing pain and suffering as a means of growth
- Practical challenges that push readers toward self-improvement at the end of each chapter
- "Callusing the mind," meaning that enduring hardship repeatedly makes a person stronger and more resilient
When this book first hit the shelves, it caused quite a controversy, for many reasons besides those listed above. Along with practical suggestions and harsh, no-nonsense language, Goggins uses several other themes throughout the book that have shown his mindset for discipline, including:
- Harsh Approach: Some readers may find his extreme discipline and relentless mindset unrealistic or even unhealthy.
- The 40% Rule: Goggins suggests that when people feel exhausted, they have only reached about 40% of their full capacity.
- Taking Ownership: He encourages people to confront their excuses, accept responsibility, and take control of their lives.
These themes can be off-putting to some people. However, when taking into account the early life of Goggins, and the harsh training he had to endure to become a SEAL, his ideas and his discipline come across as inspirational to others.
The memoir is a fast and easy read. However, the real work comes after the book is complete. Many readers find themselves captivated by Goggins’ ‘no-nonsense’ approach to discipline. Readers report internalizing the “Goggins Voice” and asking themselves questions that Goggins himself might ask them if they were in a similar situation together.
When surveying readers about the book, common reports include:
- Relating to Goggins’ struggles and adversities
- Liking the idea of mental toughness
- Enjoying practical examples of daily ways to improve the mind or body
- Refreshing authentic voice
- Finding a real-world impact and the importance of being the best self
These ideas (and more!) can be yours to uncover for yourself, simply by reading “Can’t Hurt Me!” This self-improvement guide challenges readers to push beyond their perceived limits. Through Goggins’ personal story of overcoming adversity, relentless discipline, and mental toughness, he provides invaluable lessons on resilience, accountability, and the power of embracing discomfort. His raw honesty and no-excuses mindset inspire readers to take control of their lives and strive for excellence. While his approach may be intense, the book delivers a compelling message: we are all capable of far more than we believe, and true growth comes from pushing through pain and hardship.