Can't Hurt Me
by David Goggins · first published 2018
78% recommend19% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Blunt, tough-love memoir of overcoming depression, excuses and self-doubt through extreme discipline; recommended for motivation and mental toughness. The audiobook's commentary between chapters adds extra value.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare--poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a US Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force tactical air controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outside magazine to name him the Fittest (Real) Man in America. In
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…survive and move up - be it martial prowess, persuasion, focus. People with strong discipline can grow those skills quicker and farther. A good inspirational example for me was in David Goggins’ book “Can’t Hurt Me”, where he vividly describes his inner fight against his mind that always wants comfort now; he shares that the main reason he tortures himself with physical challenges is not to become physically strong,…
on “Being ‘Indistractable’” ↗If you keep forcing it every day then eventually it gets easier. Listen to the audio book "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins. It will change your perspective on what your animal can take. https://davidgoggins.com/book/
on “The Animal Is Tired” ↗Some books that helped me: - The War of Art by Steven Pressfield - Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins - Indistractable by Nir Eyal - Mastery by Robert Greene
on “How a lazy bitch like me learned to be productive” ↗Not a single advice, but David Goggins "Can't hurt me" was a game changer for me.
on “Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?” ↗1) Man’s Search For Meaning - Viktor Frankl 2) Can’t hurt me - David Goggins 3) Meditations -Marcus Aurelius #LifeChanging
on “Ask HN: What are you reading?” ↗I just finished Can't Hurt Me, it was a solid read though not quite the kind of thing I usually go for. I can't say I want to follow Goggins-level suffering by his example, but reading about his commitment to self-improvement and…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading?” ↗…Following noncoml's advice on bodybuilding, there is a truth in that direction: you need a challenges and victories to get out of your state. Most enlightening reads on that subject are: David Goggins - Can't hurt me Jocko Willink - Discipline equals freedom field manual The center point of your problem lies in a fact that you are measuring your self in comparison to others, while the problem is within you - therefore,…
on “Ask HN: Courses/resources to improve my self-esteem and believe in myself more?” ↗Also just finished Can't Hurt Me. It's probably not for everyone. Goggins has a pretty unhealthy view of himself when he was 'fat' and his relationships with other people are kind of suspect. But it's an intense read and incredibly motivational.…
on “Good Books for a Lousy Year” ↗…better shape? Regular workout will boost key hormones in your body, ultimately leading to increase in your drive. I think you can do it man. Don’t give up and stay strong! Book recommendation: You Can’t Hurt Me - David Goggins
on “Ask HN: Losing the drive to do everything alone” ↗I second David Goggins’ book “Can’t Hurt Me”, inspirational read.
on “Being ‘Indistractable’” ↗…crippling thing. You HAVE to break those patterns and the negative self-talk. Cognitive behavioral therapy is helpful for this. Probably the biggest thing I've found helpful was David Goggins book "Can't hurt me: Master your mind and defy the odds". [1]: >>"For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare — poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline,…
on “Putting Victimhood Behind You” ↗'Can't Hurt Me' by David Goggins - Incredible. It's actually setup like a podcast. Every couple chapters, the narrator and David have a 5 or so minute discussion about what just happened, more insight, etc. It's a really…
on “Ask HN: What are the best audiobooks you have ever listened to?” ↗…PDF: http://math.mit.edu/~dspivak/teaching/sp18/ or if you are, like me, love collecting good titles in paper, a hardcover copy is nice with good paper and colour pictures: https://www.amazon.com/Invitation-Applied-Category-Theory-Co... "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins. https://davidgoggins.com/book/ It helped me to start running, and I keep doing it. It improved my mindset about overcoming physical discomfort, inspired to cultivate a savage mindset…
on “Ask HN: Books You Read in 2019?” ↗…Professional development? Science Fiction? Politics? Can't go wrong with the classics like "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" along with "How to Win Friends and Influence People." For motivation: "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins... it's impossible to read that book and come up with a good excuse why you cannot achieve your goals.
on “Ask HN: What book are you reading at the moment and what do you recommend?” ↗That’s not being drastic, but I would simply read David Goggins Can’t Hurt Me. Your mind is accustomed to a life of leisure therefore to make progress you should get into the daily ritual of doing things you’d hate to do such as running 3 miles in the morning, etc. The other potential…
on “Ask HN: Demotivated, broke, but no crisis. How to light a fire under my butt?” ↗