Can't Hurt Me - A Review Of The Book by David Goggins

David Goggins is destroying the idea that everyone should get a star. This inspiring story of abuse converted into strength will motivate you but hopefully more than that it will show you that there is no excuse not to be better every day. 

I have overcome a lot in my life and most recently quitting caffeine and continuing to push my own mental and physical boundaries found this book at the perfect time. I got the audio book and strongly encourage you to do the same. In between the chapters David and the reader discuss what has happened, giving additional incites, stories, and also getting to hear the voice of the man that has done so many amazing things. 

David Goggins has come from low places to become a navy seal, a world record holder, and an ultra marathon runner along with many other accomplishments. Beyond all that lies his greatest accomplishment: mastering his own mind. This book gives 10 challenges as to how you too can become hard and start to do things that you may have talked yourself out of in the past. 

The first Challenge is to publicly state your bad hand. To write out where you came from and here is mine. 

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​Rob Alexander
20 hrs
My Bad Hand:

• Born to an institutionalized mother with mental illness
• Immediately taken by the state and passed around - renamed for a few years
• Adopted by a suicidal mother and timid father with a mentally ill adopted brother who was very violent
• Parents gave me a lock on my door, sleeping pills and ear plugs to help with violent brother up all night
• Only white kid in my class for a few years and very fat - severely bullied
  
• As a teen began trading sleeping pills for cigarettes and alcohol to numb myself
• Became a full-blown alcoholic and chain smoker by the age of 17
• Lots of health problems - nearly died from metal poisoning from botched dental work along with other issues from addiction
• Massive amounts of anxiety depression
• Wife left and divorced me after 10 years of marriage during health issues

Life was always hard for me, isolating, and challenging to connect with others. I was a weak person.

Now:
11 years sober, fit, and confident.
I now write a weekly blog about health topics and addiction.
I am glad to have this book and to hear everyones success stories.
Stay Hard
#CantHurtMe
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Update- Thanks for all the comments and encouragement. This group is filled with amazing people. I am more committed than ever to continue to push harder despite what others may say about it being "extreme". Fell free to friend request me or reach out. So glad to know there are others out there going hard as this path is not one many people walk.
Share your challenges and your victories!

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So many people are over coming obsticles based on this "no excuses" mentality that the book portrays so strongly. After posting My Bad Hand on a facebook group based on the book, I got hundreds of likes and so many very encouraging comments....zero negativity. Here is the group link. If you get the book or audio version and are on FB I encourage you to join and see the amazing things people just like you and me are doing everyday. 

FB Group 

In my life I have often been called extreme and after reading this book I don't feel extreme or alone in my thirst for self-mastery. I have the motivation to do something everyday that I didn't want to do. For me this book was right after a long withdrawal from caffeine, the last of my chemical addictions (10 weeks today) But I have been pushed even harder. Keeping up with my running and lifting, cold showers, and intermittent fasting, stretches, breathing techniques and a number of other protocols that feed me in my self-mastery quest. But above all I am challenging the thinking that says "why more?". I already do a number of healthy things that a "normal" person would think are too much and not balanced enough. This book reminds me who I am when no one is watching and where I came from. 

I don't want to give away too many details from the book as I am hoping that you go and read or listen to it for yourself. 

There are so many fake people in the health and wellness world. I have been amazed at some of them using religion, steroids, a marketing machine, or any number of other tools to give the impression that they are someone you should listen to. This has turned me off of so many products, people, and programs. Finally a person like David Goggins shows up and says "I'm not special and neither are you". Push your self toward your passion. For me my journey of self-mastery involves my mind and body as I continue to learn about the the things that make me and everyone else tick and I hope to share more people like this with you....if I can find them. 

The limits of human potential are unknown. We have so much inside us that we don't have the energy to power or the knowledge to unlock. Play the slow game and learn or do one more thing every day. Seek out people that celebrate your victories instead of discouraging your process. They are rare but worth it. Quit your addictions to substances, thinking, and laziness. Set a high standard for yourself and others. This will make your life one of quality even though it may be lonely at times. The crowds typically won't do the hard things. If you find yourself doing what everyone else is doing then you have to go harder to be exceptional.

Self esteem is earned.