David Goggins - the most inspirational man alive?

I just had to write this post.

Yesterday, after watching Joe Rogan's fantastic podcast interview with David Goggins, I got up off my ass and ran 11 miles straight, the most I have ever run without stopping.

I hadn't run in around two months prior to that, and the last one I did was about four miles long.

There was a point last night, at around the 8/9 mile mark, when I REALLY wanted to quit. The sole of my right foot felt like it had exploded but, rather than quit, I persevered to the finish line (my home) and set a new record for myself. I was completely exhausted and in a considerable amount of pain, but I couldn't stop myself from smiling. My body was broken but my spirit rejuvenated and strengthened. Will power is fuel for the soul.

The only reason I was able to complete that run was because Goggins, "an ultra-marathon runner, ultra-distance cyclist, triathlete and former world record holder for the most pull-ups (2588!) done in 24 hours", awakened something in the very depths of my soul. It wasn't his accomplishments, but rather his story that inspired me to get off my ass and complete what ended up being the most fulfilling and challenging run of my life.

When one thinks of an ultra-marathon runner or trained navy seal, the first thing that comes to mind is 'physically gifted'. But that wasn't the case with Goggins.

Born with a 'hole the size of a quarter' in his heart, Goggins had endured a brutal childhood ("we're going to kill you, n-gger" were the words that haunted him in the classroom) and admitted he was a coward who never stood up for himself. A "dumb motherfucker with learning difficulties" and a history of being bullied, Goggins had no aspirations and no physical gifts. The now 43-year-old weighed a whopping 297 lbs. in his early twenties and worked an unfulfilling, soul-destroying job spraying cockroaches for a living.

After one particular night shift, Goggins had decided to quit his job, turn his life around and become a navy seal. He completed three 'hell weeks' (70 percent failure rate) in one year, which is something unheard of even amongst navy seals. From there, he went on to break world records and obsessively push himself beyond his physical limits.

"The more comfortable I was, the more uncomfortable my mind became."

Unlike many so-called 'motivational' speakers, Goggins teaches us to embrace our suffering and habitually do the things that we hate. Suck at running? Hate the cold weather? Get up off your ass and run through the rain, sleet and snow. It will teach you things you didn't know about yourself. Unlock dormant mental and physical powers you didn't know you had. It is through suffering, hardship, and challenge that we truly get to know ourselves and awaken the dormant faculties of our souls.

I advise everyone to watch the following video, because this article does not do him justice. David Goggins is truly one of the most inspirational men alive.

Thank you for your time and attention.