David Goggins: The Hardest Man Alive

Born 17 February 1975, David Goggins is an American ultramarathon runner, ultra-distance cyclist, triathlete, public speaker, and author.

He is a retired United States Navy SEAL and former United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party member who served in the Iraq War.

From ultra marathons to Guinness world records, David Goggins is considered by many to be among the world’s best ultra- endurance athletes.

Goggins resume:

• Navy SEAL
• 3 Hell weeks
• 20-year military veteran
• 4030 pull-ups in 24 hours (former WR)
• 60+ ultramarathons (multiple wins)
• 100 million+ YouTube views
• Millions of books sold

In 1999, Goggins was barely able to run down the street.

It’s amazing what we can do in a short period of time if we dedicate ourselves to getting better, finding more, and pushing further.

Jeremy Singh shares 12 key insights on David Goggins you or anyone can use to become the ultimate badass.

1. Take inventory of your excuses.

Write down your:

• bullshit
• bad hand
• heartache
• trauma

“I know it’s hard, but this act [of writing] will empower you.”

2. Look in the accountability mirror.

Write down your:

• insecurities
• dreams
• goals

Use Post-Its and stick them to a mirror.

3. Step outside your comfort zone.

Consistent discomfort will callous your mind.

Write down:

• things you don’t like to do
• things that make you uncomfortable

“Now go do one of them.”

Start with something small.

Small things done consistently will make you stronger.

4. Take their soul.

Identify your opponent (real or imagined).

Choose excellence to prove them wrong.

Use their negativity as fuel to do better, to work harder.

Taking their soul in the moment of extreme pain is a tactic to find energy, not anything malicious.

5. Visualize your goals.

Imagine the things you can change.

Chose any obstacle or goal and visualize conquering it.

Think of the challenges that may come up along the way — and how you will attack them.

Be prepared.

6. Dip into the cookie jar.

Write down your:

• achievements
• obstacles overcome

Big and small.

Each one is a cookie in your jar.

When the pain or desire to stop arrives, reach in and grab a cookie.

“Remember what a badass you are so you can use that energy to succeed.”

7. Remove the governor.

When you have given your maximum effort, when your mind screams to quit.

Do just a little bit more.

Reset the baseline higher.

And then increase it again.

Soon, what you had thought impossible will be the norm.

“Take command of your inner dialogue.”

8. Schedule it.

3-week challenge:

Week 1: Take notes.

• when do you work?
• when do you exercise?
• when do you doomscroll?

Be detailed.

Week 2: Build the optimal schedule.

• 30+ min. blocks
• focus on 1 thing at a time
• avoid excess open-ended time

Week 3+: Execute

9. Be uncommon amongst the uncommon.

You have to sustain greatness.

Surround yourself with people at the top of their game.

How will you stand out?

“Continue to put obstacles in front of yourself because that’s where you’ll find the friction to grow even

stronger.”

10. Learn from failure.

Write down your After Action Reports (AARs):

• what went well?
• how did you handle failure?
• what can you fix?

Be brutally honest.

Study the AAR.

“This is all a mind game.”

11. Find peace.

When you’re beaten down, unable to give any more, you find peace.

You can see your life with clarity.

A profound sense of gratitude rises by letting go of all your negativity.

“Pain unlocks a secret doorway…that leads to peak performance and beautiful silence.”

12. Imagine ‘what if?’

What you tell yourself matters.

You have 1 conversation in life with yourself.

Often it’s filled with self-doubt and fear.

You can neutralize that voice by asking ‘what if?’

What if you could run 100 miles?
What if you could do anything?

Thanks for reading!