Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

Can’t Hurt Me isn’t just a book—it’s a mindset shift. David Goggins tells his story with brutal honesty, laying out the struggles he faced and the mental toughness he built to overcome them. What makes this book different from other “motivational” reads is that it doesn’t sugarcoat anything. It’s raw, real, and forces you to look at your own excuses straight in the eye. I’ve reread this book multiple times, and each time I take away something new. Whether I’m going through a tough season or just need a reminder to push harder, this book gives me the drive to keep going. The “challenges” at the end of each chapter are a great way to apply his lessons in real life, making it more than just a story—it’s a guide. This book has helped me build discipline, push past limits I thought were unbreakable, and continue improving myself no matter what obstacles show up. If you’re serious about growth and want a kick of motivation that sticks with you long after you close the cover, Can’t Hurt Me is one you’ll want on your shelf forever.

A very inspiring story of will-power and overcoming extreme adversity. And must read for anyone having a desire to face their fears, chase their dream, and walk into their God-given purpose.

I couldn't put this book down. When the pandemic started, I bought a recumbent bike and stretching equipment for my home. I used to go to the gym three times a week. As with Mr Groggins, I, too, am a very driven person. I persevere through many struggles in my life. It has been this way almost all of my life. I am now 65, turning 66 in July. I was married 34 years to a policeman, and I was a court reporter for 24 years, until I was diagnosed with petit mal seizures, which ended my court reporting careerand took away my driving license. My court reporting career created a persona for me. I took incredible pride in what I did. I excelled at my job, and many other reporters look to me as an example. At my retirement, my boss just cried me as the consummate court reporter. I never thought my peers looked at me this way. Of course, I was married to a man that enjoyed the money I made, which he drove me to work even harder and more. The one thing I missed and kept looking for in this book to the end was how Mr. Groggins was going to find that missing Link and his life, and that is the joy of living and not striving to always be the best or better. There is so much more out there in life than striving to be the best and getting better than what you have already accomplished. He seems to have missed part of life that is just plain fun, loving and enjoyable. For example, going out to meals with friends, going to the movies, going on walks, going on vacations, sitting in the backyard and enjoying some good music and a drink. When I left my husband after 34 years, I moved to Lincoln Hills, Sun City. California, in a 55 plus community. I was the youngest one here, yet my vibrance and gregarious nature gave me a lot of friendship. I just totally enjoyed being single and was the happiest single woman that anyone could imagine. I did a missionary in Honduras for 2 weeks, went to Israel and Jordan for two weeks, did two safaris in Africa, three weeks each. This was all by myself. This was true happiness and joy and gave me complete Independence without having to answer to anyone but myself for the first time in my life. Some think I got a little too independent, but I found the real me. I was blessed to have found a man right around the corner, who lost his wife. We were friends before then, as we walked the dogs in the neighborhood and enjoyed that activity. He is a retired captain from San Mateo county fire department. One of the most giving, loving, humble men I have ever met. I never thought at the age of 62 I would be blessed with the life that I have now, because I stopped trying to please everybody else and started pleasing myself. Life has so much more to offer than trying to be the best and pleasing everybody else, especially yourself. It brings so much joy to yourself to please others. I think that is what life is all about. I hope someday Mr Groggins will reach that point in his life. It took me until I was 55 years old, so I suppose you can go back to the old saying, " it's never too late. " When I was working my ass off, trying to please everybody else, trying to prove myself in my career make my husband have become, I neglected to see what life is really all about. My father said to me one day "Ellen, you need to stop and smell the roses.". I never really understood that saying until my husband decided to leave me after 34 years of marriage. Thank you for an incredible work I art in your book, as I am now increasing my drive in a healthier body during this pandemic and always pushing for at least another half a mile a day, and eating wiser. I want to live long, be as happy as I can, knowing that there will be many winding roads and struggles ahead of me, and love from the deepest part of my hesrt that I can. I go by The motto: dance as if no one is watching. Sincerely, Ellen Turinsky. If you choose, you can reach me through my email at eturinsky@yahoo. Great book. I have recommended it too many people. Best of luck!!

This book has made me to take a self assessment of my life, from where I've been to where I want to go. David provides a lot of tools that will be helpful on my journey. I would recommend this book to anyone who is being challenged by something in life.

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins is a raw, relentless memoir that hooked me from the start. Its epic scope—spanning Goggins’ brutal childhood, Navy SEAL training, and ultramarathon feats—delivers grand stakes. From overcoming illiteracy, racial prejudice, and his father’s abuse to facing tragedies like a child’s death under a bus, Goggins’ story is a testament to defying odds. His ability to push past physical limits, like running ultra-distances on sheer will, feels unworldly. “You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft that you will die without ever realizing your true potential,” he writes, a line that fueled my runs and sparked deep reflection. Goggins is compelling, his raw transparency—never sugarcoating failures like repeated military setbacks or broken relationships—making him relatable. His redemption through mental toughness, especially his “40% Rule,” hits hard, but his underprepared attempts and unbalanced life dilute the catharsis. “The most important conversations you’ll ever have are the ones you’ll have with yourself” Goggins is engaging, especially in the audiobook’s unpolished but gripping discussions, though I wished for tighter editing in those interviews to sharpen their impact. The book kept me glued, its intensity and motivational fire perfect for my running sessions, as my friends promised. “Our culture has become hooked on the quick-fix, the life hack, efficiency… The truth is, you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable” The audiobook’s extra content, while insightful, felt rough and needed polish to match the main narrative’s drive. More depth on secondary characters would’ve elevated the stakes, and Goggins’ life—marked by relentless pushing but marred by failed relationships and underpreparation—doesn’t fully reflect the balanced success his message champions, leaving me less inspired by him as a person. Overall, Can’t Hurt Me left me fired up and reflective, its raw honesty and mental strategies resonating deeply. It’s a must-listen for anyone craving stories of grit and self-discovery, even if Goggins’ flaws keep it from masterpiece status. His journey, imperfect but inspiring, lingers like a hard-won finish line.

Perfect to strenght you mind and yourself!

Great book

I have a habit of buying books and not reading them, idk honestly

Livraison à temps, colis en bonne état

Such a nice book honestly. David goggins life story is one to truly appreciate and the amount of detail and life changing ideology that goes into this book is immense. Definitely recommend this if you are looking for enervating ending motivation.