David Goggins (born February 17, 1975) is an American retired United States Navy SEAL. He is also an ultramarathon runner, ultra-distance cyclist, triathlete, public speaker, author of two memoirs, and was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements in sports.[5] Goggins was also awarded the VFW Americanism award in 2018[6] for his service in the United States Armed Forces.[7] Goggins also published a New York Times Best Seller book titled Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds.

David Goggins
Born (1975-02-17) February 17, 1975 (age 49)
Known forMotivational speaking
Sports career
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[2]
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
SportUltramarathon, Ultra-distance cycling, Triathlon
Military career
Service / branch
Years of service1994–1999 (USAF)
2001–2015 (USN)
Rank Chief petty officer[3]
UnitUnited States Navy SEALs
  • SEAL Team 5[4]
  • SDV Team 1
Other work
Former Guinness world record holder for Pull ups (4030 in 17 hours)
Websitedavidgoggins.com

Early life and education

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Goggins was born on February 17, 1975, to Trunnis and Jackie Goggins. In 1981, he lived in Williamsville, New York, on a street called Paradise Road with his parents and brother, Trunnis Jr.[8] While Goggins' neighborhood held "model citizens consisting of white people," he describes his home experience as "hell on Earth."[9] Goggins' father owned the roller-skating rink Skateland, located in East Buffalo, New York. At age six, Goggins often worked the night shift at Skateland alongside his family, organizing roller skates.[8] Goggins' mother left his father due to abuse and eventually moved herself and her sons to live with Goggins' grandparents in Brazil, Indiana.

Goggins enrolled in second grade at a small Catholic school and made First Communion.[10] His brother, Trunnis Jr., returned to Buffalo to live with their father.[11] When Goggins enrolled in the third grade, he was diagnosed with a learning disability due to the lack of schooling.[9] Goggins also found it difficult to learn as he was suffering from toxic stress because of the child abuse that he suffered during his early years in Buffalo, New York. Due to the stress, Goggins developed a stutter. He explains how he was constantly in a fight-or-flight response with social anxiety because of his stuttering.[9] In school, Goggins was subjected to racism and the Ku Klux Klan held a local presence at the time in Brazil, Indiana.[9] Goggins recalls he once found "Niger [sic] we're gonna kill you" on his Spanish notebook. When Goggins was 16, a student spray painted "nigger" on the door of his car.[11]

Before his freshman year, Goggins attended a pararescue jump orientation course. Goggins' grandfather had served in the Air Force before him and prompted him to attend.[11]

Career

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Goggins applied to join the United States Air Force Pararescue and was accepted into training. During the training, he was diagnosed with sickle cell trait and was removed from training temporarily.[12][13] Goggins instead participated in United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) training and worked as a TACP from 1994 until 1999 alongside British counterparts FS Jones, FS Nair and Pte Noble,[14][failed verification] when he left the United States Air Force.[8]

Goggins later quit an exterminator job to become a Navy SEAL. He joined the reserves, eventually making the weight requirements to begin training as a SEAL after losing 106 pounds (48 kg) in three months.[citation needed] Goggins graduated from BUD/S training with BUD/S class 235 in 2001. Following SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) and the completion of a probationary period, he received the NEC 5326 as a Combatant Swimmer (SEAL) and was assigned to SEAL Team 5. During his 20-year military career, Goggins served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.[15] In 2004, he graduated from Army Ranger School and earned the "Enlisted Honor Man" award, receiving a 100% peer evaluation.[4][16]

Charity

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After several of his military friends died in Afghanistan in a 2005 helicopter crash during Operation Red Wings,[17] Goggins began long-distance running to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which gives college scholarships and grants to the children of fallen special operations soldiers.[18] Competing in endurance challenges, including the Badwater Ultramarathon three times, Goggins raised more than US$2 million for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.[19]

Marathon and ultramarathon running

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In 2005, Goggins entered the San Diego One Day, a 24-hour ultramarathon in San Diego. He then completed the Las Vegas Marathon in a time to qualify for the Boston Marathon. In 2006, Goggins entered the HURT 100 in Hawaii.[20] He was invited to the 2006 Badwater-135, where he finished 5th overall.[21]

In 2006, Goggins competed in the Ultraman World Championships Triathlon in Hawaii, placing second in the three-day, 320-mile race. He also participated in the Furnace Creek-508 (2009).[22]

In 2007, Goggins placed third overall in the Badwater-135.[23] He competed in the Badwater-135 in 2013 and finished 18th,[24] after a break from the event since 2008.[25]

In 2008, Goggins was named a "Hero of Running" by Runner's World.[26] In 2016, he won the Infinitus 88k in 12 hours. That same year, Goggins won the Music City Ultra 50k, and Strolling Jim 40 Miler.[27] In 2020, he ran the Moab 240 ultramarathon, placing 2nd in the 241-mile event with a time of 63 hours and 21 minutes, approximately 95 minutes behind race winner Michele Graglia.[28][29]

Entrepreneur Jesse Itzler, upon seeing Goggins perform at a 24-hour ultramarathon, hired Goggins to live with him in his house for a month. Itzler wrote about his experience on a blog and later published the story as a book called Living With A SEAL.[30]

Goggins' memoir, Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, was released on December 4, 2018. In the book, he refers to The 40% Rule, his belief that most people, even with considerable effort, only tap into 40% of their capabilities.[31] A follow-up sequel titled Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within was published on December 4, 2022.

Awards and decorations

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Special Warfare insignia
Meritorious Service Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 5/16 inch stars
Army Achievement Medal Air Force Achievement Medal Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Good Conduct Medal with 4 Service Stars National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service star Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 Service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 Service star Rifle Marksmanship Medal with Expert Device Pistol Marksmanship Medal with Expert Device
Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Badge
Ranger Tab

Bibliography

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  • Goggins, David (2018). Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds. Lioncrest Publishing. ISBN 978-1-5445-1228-0.
  • Goggins, David (2022). Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within. Lioncrest Publishing. ISBN 978-1544536828.

References

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  1. ^ "Speaker David Goggins, Book David Goggins, US Navy SEAL – Robinson Speakers Bureau". Robinsonspeakers.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  2. ^ "UItrarunner and Navy SEAL David Goggins Know How to Suffer". April 26, 2017. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  3. ^ "Team Never Quit » David Goggins". Archived from the original on July 31, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "An interview with US Navy Seal David Goggins". Slowtwitch.com. October 20, 2008. Archived from the original on August 30, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
  5. ^ Dr. Robert Goldman (March 14, 2019). "2019 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductees". www.sportshof.org. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  6. ^ "THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 119TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES" (PDF). June 19, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  7. ^ "David Goggins". IAVA. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "David Goggins Defies the Odds". Usveteransmagazine. November 2018. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d #1080 - David Goggins, February 19, 2018, archived from the original on July 16, 2023, retrieved July 16, 2023
  10. ^ Goggins, David. "Instagram post". www.instagram.com. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c "Book | David Goggins". davidgoggins.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  12. ^ Joe Rogan Experience #1080 - David Goggins. Youtube (Video). PowerfulJRE. Event occurs at 7:47. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  13. ^ "An Interview with Goggins". Dvidshub. Austin Rooney. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  14. ^ "Flight Sergeant Henry Jones". www.pegasusarchive.org. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  15. ^ "That Wealthy Entrepreneur's Live-In Navy SEAL Has Been Revealed". November 5, 2015. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  16. ^ Joe Rogan Experience #1080 - David Goggins, February 19, 2018, retrieved August 18, 2023
  17. ^ "He epitomizes what a SEAL is". Stripes.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  18. ^ "Special Operations Warrior Foundation -". Specialops.org. Archived from the original on November 11, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
  19. ^ "Inspiration has the Ability to Change Lives". www.vfw.org. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  20. ^ "2006 HURT 100 Results (100 Miles)". ultrarunning.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  21. ^ Badwater-135 results since 2000 Archived September 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ "The 508 DB - 2009 Furnace Creek 508 - Individual Time Data and Bio for David Goggins, Bib# King Cobra". the508.online. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  23. ^ Cramer, Cathy. "AdventureCORPS Presents :: 2007 Badwater 135 :: Race Results". dbase.adventurecorps.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  24. ^ "2013 Badwater 135 :: Race Results". dbase.adventurecorps.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  25. ^ "A look at 3 service members toeing the line at this year's Badwater Ultramarathon". Military Times. July 12, 2013. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  26. ^ "RW Hero of Running David Goggins at Runner's World.com". December 8, 2008. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  27. ^ "David Goggins Race Results". Ultra Running Magazine. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  28. ^ "Moab 240 2020 live tracker by trackleaders.com". Trackleaders. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  29. ^ "Michele Graglia takes roadside nap, wins Moab 240". Canadian Running Magazine. October 12, 2020. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  30. ^ Itzler, Jesse (2015). Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet (1st ed.). New York, NY: Hachette Book Group. pp. 3–9. ISBN 9781455534678.
  31. ^ Briley, Aaron (March 12, 2021). "David Goggins' Key to Perseverance". Objective Standard Institute. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
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