Estimated reading time: 8 mins
Introduction
What would Goggins do? David Goggins, a name synonymous with unparalleled endurance and unwavering determination, has become an emblem of the extraordinary capabilities of the human spirit. As a retired Navy SEAL, ultramarathon runner, and world-record holder, Goggins’ life story is a testament to the power of mental toughness and resilience. His journey from a life filled with hardships to becoming one of the most formidable figures in endurance athletics is nothing short of inspiring. Goggins is not just known for his physical feats; he is equally celebrated for his motivational insights and empowering quotes. His words are a beacon of inspiration for many, offering guidance and strength to those seeking to overcome their own challenges and limitations. For me, much of what he says is inspirational, and perhaps aspirational, but some of what he says denies the effect of collaboration and mutual support (and not for me.)
In this post, we delve into some of the most impactful and motivational quotes by David Goggins, each encapsulating the essence of his indomitable spirit and the profound wisdom he imparts about perseverance, self-discipline, and the relentless pursuit of one’s goals.
What Would Goggins Do? Quotes 1-10
- “The worst thing that can happen to a man is to become civilized.”
- “Mental toughness is a lifestyle.”
- “Never let people who choose the path of least resistance steer you away from your chosen path of most resistance.”
- “The only thing more contagious than a good attitude is a bad one.”
- “Pain unlocks a secret doorway in the mind, one that leads to both peak performance, and beautiful silence.”
- “Seeds burst from the inside out in a self-destructive ritual of new life.”
- “We’re either getting better or we’re getting worse.”
- “You have to build calluses on your brain just like how you build calluses on your hands. Calluses your mind through pain and suffering.”
- “I thought I’d solved a problem when really I was creating new ones by taking the path of least resistance.”
- “The Buddha famously said that life is suffering. I’m not a Buddhist, but I know what he meant and so do you. To exist in this world, we must contend with humiliation, broken dreams, sadness, and loss.”
What Would Goggins Do? Quotes 11-20
- “You may lose the battle of the morning but don’t lose the war of the day.”
- “Believe it or not, most people prefer delusion. They blame others or bad luck or chaotic circumstance.”
- “Life is the most brutal endurance sport of all time!”
- “People take classes on self-help, mental toughness, breathing control – the only way to get tougher is to put yourself in hellacious situations.”
- “You can tolerate doubt as a backseat driver, but if you put doubt in the pilot’s seat, defeat is guaranteed.”
- “It’s easier to accept the fact that you’re just not good enough. We all have a lot more than we think we have.”
- “Suffering is a test. That’s all it is. Suffering is the true of life.”
- “A lot of us don’t know about another world that exists for us because it’s on the other side of suffering. That’s the real growth in life.”
- “If you’re willing to suffer, and I mean suffer, your brain and body once connected together, can do anything.”
- “Be true to whoever or whatever you are, wear it like a badge of honor. Fit in with one person and one person only, yourself.”
What Would Goggins Do? Quotes 21-30
- “There is no more time to waste. Hours and days evaporate like creeks in the desert.”
- “From the time you take your first breath, you become eligible to die. You also become eligible to find your greatness and become the one warrior.”
- “Nobody cares what you did yesterday. What have you done today to better yourself?”
- “You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.”
- “Only you can master your mind, which is what it takes to live a bold life filled with accomplishments most people consider beyond their capability.”
- “The most important conversations you’ll ever have are the ones you’ll have with yourself.”
- “You want to be uncommon amongst uncommon people. Period.”
- “If you’re willing to suffer, and I mean suffer, your brain and body once connected together, can do anything.”
- “A warrior is a guy that goes, I’m here again today. I’ll be here again tomorrow and the next day. It’s a person who puts no limit on what’s possible.”
- “You are giving up instead of getting hard! Tell the truth about the real reasons for your limitations and you will turn that negativity, which is real, into jet fuel. Those odds stacked against you will become a damn runway!”
What Would Goggins Do? Quotes 31-40
- “Like the Taoists say, those that know don’t speak, and those who speak, well, they don’t know jack shit.”
- “When you think that you are done, you’re only 40% into what your body’s capable of doing. That’s just the limits that we put on ourselves.”
- “If you want to be one of the few to defy those trends in our ever-softening society, you will have to be willing to go to war with yourself and create a whole new identity, which requires an open mind.”
- “Know why you’re in the fight to stay in the fight! And never forget that all emotional and physical anguish is finite!”
- “The more things you can do to get outside of that zone that makes you feel good, the stronger your mind is going to get… It’s not fun, but now my mind is used to it.”
- “It’s about what we do with opportunities revoked or presented to us that determine how a story ends.”
- “Your entitled mind is dead weight. Cut it loose. Don’t focus on what you think you deserve. Take aim on what you are willing to earn!”
- “I was the sum total of the obstacles I’d overcome.”
- “It’s funny, humans tend to hatch our most challenging goals and dreams, the ones that demand our greatest effort yet promise absolutely nothing when we are tucked into our comfort zones.”
- “You gotta start your journey. It may suck, but eventually you will come out the other side on top.”
What Would Goggins Do? Quotes 41-50
- “Motivation is a crap. Motivation comes and goes. When you’re driven, whatever is in front of you will get destroyed.”
- “Fear is my ultimate guide.”
- “Become A Savage & Live on Your Own Terms.”
- “I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m done.”
- “Greatness pulls mediocrity into the mud. Get out there and get after it.”
- “If you choose to do something, attack it.”
- “It’s possible to transcend anything that doesn’t kill you.”
- “Denial is the ultimate comfort zone.”
- “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.”
- “In the military we always say we don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.”
What Would Goggins Do? Quotes 51-57
- “No one is going to come help you. No one’s coming to save you.”
- “It’s a lot more than mind over matter. It takes relentless self discipline to schedule suffering into your day, every day.”
- “Everything in life is a mind game! Whenever we get swept under by life’s dramas, large and small, we are forgetting that no matter how bad the pain gets, no matter how harrowing the torture, all bad things end.”
- “If you can get through doing things that you hate to do, on the other side is greatness.”
- “People take classes on self-help, mental toughness, breathing control – the only way to get tougher is to put yourself in hellacious situations.”
- “The hard part is getting to that point, because the ticket to victory often comes down to bringing your very best when you feel your worst.”
- “It’s going to be hard work, discipline, and the non-cognitive skills – hard work, dedication, sacrifice – that will set you apart.”
Final Thoughts
David Goggins’ journey and his words undeniably serve as a powerful source of motivation, embodying the spirit of endurance, self-discipline, and the relentless pursuit of personal goals. His quotes resonate with a raw honesty and an unyielding commitment to self-improvement, pushing the boundaries of what we believe is possible. Goggins’ philosophy of pushing oneself to the absolute limits, often in solitary pursuits, highlights the incredible heights of human potential when fueled by determination and mental toughness. It’s for these reasons that many people ask themselves – What would Goggins do? You can even buy a T-Shirt with this slogan on, if you live in the UK.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that Goggins’ approach, with its emphasis on individual effort and resilience, may not resonate with everyone. His perspective often sidelines the significance of collaboration and mutual support, elements that are integral to many people’s experiences of growth and success. The reality is that not all challenges are best faced alone, and for many, the strength found in community, teamwork, and shared experiences is invaluable.
In essence, while Goggins’ messages of self-empowerment and overcoming personal limitations are undeniably inspirational, they also represent a more solitary journey towards achievement. This approach, while profoundly effective for some, might not align with the values or experiences of others who find equal strength in collective support and collaboration. Goggins’ narrative encourages us to challenge our limits, but it also opens a broader conversation about the diverse paths to personal and professional fulfillment. Ultimately, his story is a reminder of the diverse tapestries of human experience and the myriad ways we can find and define our own success and resilience.
