Books 2021: Training the Mind to Drive Growth and Achievement - GlobalAtlanta

Book: Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

Author: David Goggins

Review by: Jim Whitcomb, longtime global banker in Atlanta

Jim Whitcomb

"Can't Hurt Me" is a truly inspirational book. It chronicles the life of a warrior, David Goggins, who stands as uncommon among the uncommon — the only person ever to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger and Air Force Tactical Air Controller. He is a stud, but his story wasn't inevitably headed in this direction.

Goggins's nightmarish childhood included challenges that most of us have never imagined; as he resolved to grow personally, he took on obstacles that few of us could imagine, let alone turn into reality. Listless, Goggins decided to pursue his dream to become a Navy SEAL, then began raising money for scholarships for the children of fallen veterans. Goggins simply doesn't accept limitations, and now he's one of the world's foremost ultra-endurance athletes.

The book also outlines his philosophy of life, which centers around internal drive. For Goggins, our minds are our most underutilized tools. A change in drive and attitude has helped him achieve seemingly superhuman feats, and he walks readers through some of his methods. Reflections upon his experiences (after action reports) help him learn, grow and plan for future endeavors. Yet Goggins does this with honesty, sharing vulnerabilities and examples of when he failed to rise to or complete a challenge.

Goggins is clear that the mind and physical training (PT) are interconnected. PT helps "callous," or train, the mind. And one's mind must be trained in order to keep negative thoughts at bay and allow you to tap into your "cookie jar" in order to maximize your PT output. Maximum PT output leads to greater efficiency in work, play and life in general.

'Can't Hurt Me" made me think seriously about how I live my life – both personally and professionally. It challenged me with specific action items that can (and should!) be incorporated into one's daily routine. If you agree with the idea that many of us are not reaching our full potential, you will enjoy David Goggins's take on how to make yourself better – in all areas of life.

Read previous reviews by Mr. Whitcomb:

Books 2018: Taming the 'Unquiet Mind'

Books 2016: An Intimate but Objective Account of Life in a Concentration Camp

Editor's notes: Global Atlanta will receive a 10 percent commission on any purchase of this book through the links on this page. Bookshop.org also contributes 10 percent of the purchase price of each book to independent booksellers around the United States.

Each year, Global Atlanta asks influential readers and community leaders to review the most impactful book they read during the course of the year. This endeavor has continued annually since 2010.

See last year's full list of books on BookShop here, and all 2020 reader reviews here.

All books were chosen and reviews written independently, with only mild editing from our staff.

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