Let me tell you, never has a book made me feel like such a loser. I have worked hard in my life, but honestly, I can be lazy, and sometimes I just give up. This was such an inspiring novel. Truly, not in the way that makes me want to make such extreme changes in my life, because I still am a little lazy, but mostly so tired from trying to survive everyday life. A friend recommended this book to me, and I told him, “God, I’m such a loser…” His reply? “No kidding… me, too.”
In Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins shares his life story and philosophy of mental toughness. Raised in an abusive household and struggling with racism, poverty, and learning disabilities, Goggins faced enormous early hardships. As an adult, he transformed himself from an overweight, depressed exterminator into a Navy SEAL, ultramarathon runner, and record-setting endurance athlete.
Goggins argues that most people only tap into 40% of their potential — what he calls the “40% rule.” He emphasizes the power of embracing pain, pushing through suffering, mastering the mind, and seeking personal accountability to unlock true potential. Throughout the book, he offers challenges to the reader, encouraging self-discipline, resilience, and relentless self-improvement.
At its core, Can’t Hurt Me is a tough-love manual for overcoming self-doubt and achieving greatness through extreme mental resilience.
Time management has never been my strong suit. Exhausted and pressed for time, I opted for the audiobook version of Can’t Hurt Me — a decision that proved unexpectedly rewarding.
Narrated by Adam Skolnick, with frequent appearances by David Goggins himself, the audiobook blurs the line between memoir and podcast. Between chapters, Skolnick and Goggins engage in candid conversations that dive deeper into the former Navy SEAL’s harrowing life story, grueling training, and unyielding survival instincts. These interludes offer a richer, more intimate portrait of Goggins, transforming the listening experience into something far more expansive than the printed page alone.
Whether you prefer to read or listen, Can’t Hurt Me deserves a place on your reading list.