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Writer's pictureAkhilesh Bhuvanendran

How Much Can We Really Push Ourselves?


After reading "Can’t Hurt Me" by David Goggins, I had a moment of deep reflection. How often do we really push ourselves to our true limits? The short answer is, probably never. According to Goggins, most people only push themselves to 40% of what they’re truly capable of. That’s the core idea behind his "40% Rule," and it shook me because, in a way, it made sense. Think about how many times we’ve given up or pulled back at the first sign of discomfort. We’re constantly holding back without realizing that we have so much more to give.


Can't Hurt Me Book review

Goggins' Story: The Journey of Breaking Limits

David Goggins wasn’t born with a superhuman mentality or physical capability. In fact, his life story started in a very different place. As a young man, Goggins struggled with obesity, low self-esteem, and a challenging family life. He had every reason to give up on himself. But what makes Goggins’ story remarkable isn’t just that he overcame his past – it’s how he transformed himself, step by step, into someone capable of enduring some of the toughest physical and mental challenges.


From being an overweight man who worked as a pest control worker, to becoming a Navy SEAL, ultramarathon runner, and world record holder for pull-ups, Goggins pushed beyond every limit society, and even he himself, placed on his abilities. His story teaches us that our limits are mostly self-imposed.


The transformation didn’t happen overnight. Goggins had to dig deep and confront his inner demons – the self-doubt, the fear of failure, and the constant feeling of inadequacy. Through sheer willpower and mental toughness, he broke through those barriers. He trained his mind to see pain and discomfort as part of growth. He didn’t just do it for personal glory; he wanted to show others that if he could do it, so could they.


The 40% Rule: Unlocking Our Hidden Potential

One of the most impactful ideas from "Can’t Hurt Me" is the 40% Rule. Goggins explains that when we feel like we’ve hit our limit – when we think we can’t go any further – we’ve actually only used 40% of our potential. The remaining 60% is still untapped. It’s a powerful concept because it challenges everything we’ve been conditioned to believe about our limitations.

We all have moments when we want to quit. Whether it's during a workout, at work, or in a tough life situation, we reach a point where our mind tells us, “That’s enough. I can’t do this anymore.” Goggins argues that this is simply our mind trying to protect us from discomfort. But the truth is, we have so much more to give. Our bodies are capable of enduring far more than we think, but it’s our mind that quits first. The key to unlocking that remaining 60% lies in mental toughness, not physical strength.


By pushing past that initial urge to quit, we can begin to access the deeper levels of our potential. Goggins didn’t just talk about this; he lived it. During Navy SEAL training, Goggins had to endure the infamous “Hell Week,” a brutal test of endurance and mental fortitude. Most people would drop out after the first few days, but Goggins kept going, even when his body was broken and his mind was screaming for him to stop. He learned that the pain was temporary, but quitting would have been forever. This mindset shift allowed him to push beyond the limits that most people accept as final.


Mental Toughness Over Physical Strength

While many might think "Can’t Hurt Me" is a book about physical endurance, it’s really about mental strength. Goggins repeatedly emphasizes that the mind controls everything. He didn’t become a Navy SEAL or run ultramarathons because of physical talent. In fact, he openly admits that he was not born athletic or gifted. What set him apart was his mental toughness.

Goggins teaches us that mental resilience is a skill we can all develop. It’s about learning to embrace discomfort, to push through the moments when we want to quit, and to reject the idea that we are limited by our past or our current circumstances. It’s easy to look at someone like Goggins and think, “I could never do that.” But that’s precisely the point of his message – we can do it, and we should. We’re all capable of so much more than we think.


This idea applies not just to physical challenges, but to all areas of life. Whether it’s pursuing a career goal, overcoming personal struggles, or improving relationships, we all hit moments where we feel stuck. Goggins’ message is clear: don’t give up when things get hard. Push through that discomfort because that’s where real growth happens. The only way to break through to the next level is to refuse to quit when things get tough.


The Accountability Mirror: Facing the Truth

Another powerful concept from the book is the "Accountability Mirror." Goggins describes this as a tool he used to keep himself in check. Every day, he would look into the mirror and confront the hard truths about himself. If he was slacking off, if he wasn’t living up to his potential, he faced it head-on. No sugar-coating, no excuses. He held himself accountable for his own progress and failures.


The idea behind the Accountability Mirror is simple but profound: the only way to grow is to be brutally honest with ourselves. We have to stop making excuses and start taking responsibility for our own lives. Goggins didn’t blame his circumstances or other people for his struggles. He looked inward, confronted his weaknesses, and worked relentlessly to overcome them.


This practice is something we can all adopt. It’s easy to hide from the truth, to tell ourselves comforting lies about why we haven’t reached our goals. But real growth starts when we face those uncomfortable truths and take responsibility for making the necessary changes.


We’re Capable of More: How Much Can We Really Push Ourselves?

The main takeaway from "Can’t Hurt Me" is that we are all capable of far more than we give ourselves credit for. Goggins’ story is proof that even the most impossible-seeming goals can be achieved with the right mindset. We don’t have to accept the limitations that society or our own minds place on us.


This book challenges us to stop being passive in our own lives. It’s easy to stay in our comfort zone, but that’s not where growth happens. Goggins teaches that pain and discomfort are part of the journey, not something to be avoided. If we want to reach our full potential, we have to be willing to endure hardship, push through the tough times, and refuse to quit when things get hard.


Goggins doesn’t just inspire; he empowers. He shows us that we all have the ability to transform ourselves, no matter where we start. His story is a reminder that the only limits we have are the ones we place on ourselves.


"Can’t Hurt Me" is more than just a motivational book. It’s a blueprint for mental toughness, personal growth, and unlocking our full potential. Goggins’ story is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the incredible things we can achieve when we refuse to quit. If you’re looking for a book that will challenge you, push you, and inspire you to become the best version of yourself, this is it.


The next time you feel like giving up, remember that you’re only at 40%. You have so much more to give. Keep pushing, keep striving, and don’t settle for less than you’re capable of. Can’t Hurt Me isn’t just Goggins’ story – it’s a call to action for all of us to break through our limits and achieve greatness.

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