David Goggins: How to Build Immense Inner Strength

In this episode, my guest is David Goggins, retired Navy SEAL, highly accomplished ultramarathoner, best-selling author, and influential public speaker.

David explains how he mastered his inner dialogue to build extraordinary levels of discipline and mental and physical toughness.

He describes how confronting his early hardships, including physical and mental abuse, learning disorders, and obesity, became a practice of deep and excruciating self-reflection — eventually allowing him to transmute those experiences into a superhuman work ethic.

This conversation is a unique window into David Goggins’ process in that it focuses both on the underlying science and how David manages and directs his inner dialogue.

It’s a conversation that will inform and inspire anyone wondering how exactly to go about building discipline and confidence and reach their potential.

Note: This conversation includes profanity. Some content might not be suitable for all audiences and ages.

For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

(00:00:00) David Goggins

(00:03:39) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up

(00:07:58) Learning, Studying & Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

(00:14:59) Writing & Learning, ADHD & Focus

(00:20:35) Friction, Focus, “Conqueror’s Mindset”

(00:25:16) Early Hardships, “Haunted”

(00:30:48) Anger, Social Media; Growth & Challenges

(00:34:41) Sponsor: AG1

(00:37:11) Stick vs. Carrot, Negative Inner Dialogue, “Stay Hard”

(00:42:39) Inspiration, Characters & Self Image

(00:46:09) Willpower & Anterior Mid-Cingulate Cortex

(00:53:23) Friction & the “Suck”, Willpower

(00:59:14) Building Willpower, Brain & “No Days Off” Mentality 

(01:09:54) Losing Weight, Challenge & Willpower

(01:18:47) Self-Criticism & Discipline; Recovery; Stutter & Building Confidence

(01:26:45) Relationships & Honest Conversations, People Pleasing

(01:34:49) Self-Reflection & Empowerment

(01:39:06) Unseen Work, Real Passion & Purpose, Medicine Cabinet Analogy

(01:46:32) Feeling Lost, Self-Reflection & Individual Process

(01:54:11) Challenges & Two Internal Voices, Misunderstood

(01:59:32) Running, Smoke Jumping; Success; Willpower & Perishable Skills

(02:07:04) Self-Reflection & Action, Distractions

(02:15:27) Inner Dialogue; Failing Properly

(02:24:59) Introspection & Unconscious Mind, Cleaning “Cupboards”

(02:35:19) Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Sponsors,  Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

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