“Can’t Hurt Me” (2018©) — book review | |
Today’s book is an autobiographical / self-help / inspiration book written by David Goggins. Mr. Goggins is a former Navy SEAL (SEa, Air And Land) team member AND a U.S. Army Ranger school graduate (honor graduate). (Note: Mr. Goggins graduated Ranger training and is entitled to wear the “Ranger” Tab, but he never served in a Ranger Unit. Technically, he is Ranger “qualified” but he was never an “actual” Ranger.) He is more famous (world-wide fame) for his exploits as an “ultra”-athlete. He has competed in many ultra-distance running and cycling events and won several. At one time, he was the record holder for most pull-ups in a 24 hour period (although he stopped after breaking the prior record in just under 18 hours). He is currently a professional motivation / inspiration speaker. | |
The book covers the author’s abusive childhood / family life, through his high school years and into his military service and then some of his post-retirement years as a fire-fighter / fire-jumper. I believe the author is strictly a professional motivational speaker now, but he continues to train / workout. (‘Cause that’s what he does…) | |
Background: I first read about David Goggins when I was getting into ultra-distance running. I’ve had a bad heart (AFib) for almost 20 years now and back in the late 2000s I imagined I could train my way out of my heart issues. That never happened, but I did log a couple of thousand miles jogging in the attempt. Elite ultra-athletes (David Goggins, Dean Karnazes and Scott Jurek) became my “new” athletic heroes. I’d seen this book around in book stores, but after heart surgery and continuing “issues”, I didn’t really see much point in buying a copy. My daughter had a copy given to her, so I borrowed it… | |
Is the book interesting? Informative? Entertaining? Inspirational? Is it worth the time to read it? To be honest, the answer to all five of those questions is mostly so-so… | |
I found it a fast read because it touched on several common personal experiences, so I felt like I had a bit in common with the author. The problem is I “really” don’t have ALL that much in common… (LoL) The author wants to be considered the best of the best of the best. I don’t and I don’t believe I have ever wanted to be. I’ve always just wanted to be “good” at whatever I do. I’m a bit of a loner – like the author – but I don’t particularly wallow or glory in that introvert status. It merely is what it is… | |
Goggins repeatedly discusses how he pushes through injury to do what others find unimaginable – like running on broken legs / feet. I’m more of a “never do anything today, that’ll prevent you from doing your workout tomorrow” kind of person. As such, I compete with myself (what’s my personal best) and not against others (“stealing the others soul”). Don’t get me wrong. I’m used to be as competitive as the next person (on average), but I’ve mostly outgrown my egotistical need to prove my “value” by killing myself to win. | |
The author had a terribly abusive childhood (physical and emotional) and he doesn’t seem to have overcome it. Instead, he has channeled childhood abuse into an adulthood based around proving his “manliness” to himself (and others) by abusing himself under the belief this toughens his mind so he can do more and better than anyone thinks possible. I’ve known a few obsessive people in my life, but NOBODY at Mr. Goggins level. | |
What about interesting and entertaining? Again, so-so… The book is interesting as a psychological study in personal motivation / obsession, but I can’t say it was “entertaining”. How the author continually challenged himself and found ways to deal with his personal difficulties – mental (dyslexia, fear of water, fear of public speaking) and physical (taping broken bones, preparing for ultra-events and training for flexibility) were very interesting, but of very little entertainment value. | |
I had two “real” problems with reading this book and they both centered around language. The first was probably the most trivial. The author likes to use the “f**k” word – a lot. I normally don’t mind swearing when it’s in context and / or used for emphasis. I find it distasteful when used because you know how to pronounce it and / or just feel like saying it. How “bad” is it? Well, let’s just say it’s bad enough the publisher has come out with a separate edition which is advertised a “Clean Edition”. LoL | |
The second language issue is the author’s assertion that male weakness makes you female – more specifically a portion of the female genitalia anatomy. Give me a break! I’ve known women who were smarter than me and some who were “better” athletes at some sports. …Just like men are. The ability to endure physical pain is not unique or specific to the male of the human species. I think Mr. Groggins recognizes this (at some level) because he admits to modifying his own running style from being a plodder to being a graceful “floater”. The “floater” kicked his butt in their competition. He also states (near the end of the book) that some of the female fire-jumpers were every bit as tough as he was – endurance wise – when battling mountain fires for multiple hours over multiple days. They (the women) were just as “hard” as the men. Would it have been harder to just say: “committed, dedicated, and tough”? (pun intended) | |
Well, is this book worth your time, then? Yes! It is easy to see why some “wanna-be” tough guys (men and women) would want to hear the author speak and / or read this book. At a certain level, it is an inspirational story – very inspirational. If that’s what you are looking for, you’ll find it in this writing / life story. It’s just a shame and a missed opportunity that the author was not able to demonstrate where the line between compulsion and normalcy is drawn and if it is possible to have one foot in both camps. There is nothing inherently wrong with striving to be the best or world class at any endeavor. The problem I have is there “really” isn’t ALWAYS a next challenge. (IMHO) You can be the greatest warrior in the world, but if you never took an instant to enjoy the past or a poem or the sight of cherry tree blossoming, you have still missed the “best” from living life to the fullest. | |
The few brief paragraphs about the author’s reconciliation with his estranged brother was a hint there is more to the author’s life. It’s a shame he didn’t feel confident enough about himself to go THERE. We might have learned a lot more of value for the time we invested in sharing his pain. | |
Final recommendation: Moderate to Strong recommendation. In spite of my (somewhat) less than positive comments, I enjoyed this book and am not ashamed to admit some of it was vicarious admiration. | |
Disclaimer: I did not purchase and do not own a copy of this book. I borrowed my daughter’s copy. Read it. And have since returned it. I believe she received it as a gift from a friend. | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2023 | New Challenges And New Opportunities |
2022 | But Don’t Be A Rocking Horse |
2021 | Be Interesting |
Wonder What Is Wrong With Me (Here Comes The Night) | |
2020 | To Our #IdiotInChief: Wear A Mask! |
2019 | Silent Purpose |
2018 | Just Bake The Cake, Man |
2017 | Visible Proof |
2016 | Poor Enough Means |
2015 | Still Standing |
Follow Your Heart | |
2014 | Just Reminded |
2013 | A Fine Balance |
2012 | One Measure |
2011 | Seeking The Common Ground |
In Brightest Day… | |
What If?
June 20, 2024 by kmabarrett
interesting story about him and his book. it does seem that he has spent his life, away from the family abuse,, and into a life of self-abuse, all while trying to prove his worth. I feel for him and all that he has endured in his life by no choice of his own, and that he still continues to push himself beyond what a human should have to endure
We are always being pushed to “excel”. Most people live lives of quiet desperation… Some few drive themselves to success in a particular field, yet “fail” at almost everything else and are miserable in “life”. Some (more) drive themselves to failure (in my experience, usually with drugs) and early death. Too few seem to find the happy place where they are more or less happy with their life and are able to balance many of its aspects: family, faith, income, “success”. It’s a strange world we live in… Just saying…
Goggins is an inspirational speaker / individual. His “goals” are just not any I aspire to.