David Goggins, born in 1975, is a retired Navy SEAL, ultramarathon runner, author, and public speaker. He was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame and received the VFW Americanism award in 2018.
David Goggins, an American retired United States Navy SEAL, ultramarathon runner, and author, was born on February 17, 1975.
When David Goggins was 8 years old, his mother made the courageous decision to leave his abusive father, taking David and his older brother to her parents' house in rural Indiana.
In 1990, David Goggins decided to make a change in his life by improving his personal grooming, focusing on his education, and starting a rigorous exercise routine of running and weightlifting. This marked the beginning of his journey towards self-improvement and resilience.
In 1994, David Goggins had to drop out of the Air Force Pararescue Team training due to his diagnosis of sickle cell anemia. Despite the possibility of returning to training later, he decided not to, mainly because of his aversion to the swimming aspect of the program. He later admitted using the diagnosis as an excuse to avoid the swimming element of training.
Inspired by a show on the Discovery Channel about Hell Week, David Goggins, weighing 297 pounds and older than the typical Navy SEAL candidate, decides to pursue his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL. Despite facing initial rejection from recruiters due to his weight, he perseveres and finds a recruiter who gives him a chance under the condition of losing enough weight within three months.
After successfully completing Hell Week with BUD/s Class 235, David Goggins earned his Navy SEAL trident on August 10, 2001.
In 2004, David Goggins was the only Navy SEAL in his class to successfully complete the Army Ranger School, showcasing his exceptional determination and endurance.
David Goggins, unaware of the extreme nature of the Badwater 135 race, learns about its reputation as one of the toughest races globally, spanning 135 miles across three mountain ranges in scorching heat. Competitors must prove their ability by running 100 miles in 24 hours or less to qualify.
In 2006, David Goggins completed the HURT 100 ultra marathon for the first time, finishing in ninth place with a time of 33 hours, 23 minutes. This event inspired his 40% rule, emphasizing the body's ability to push further when the mind wants to quit.
In 2008, David Goggins was honored with the title 'Hero of Running' by Runner's World, recognizing his exceptional achievements in the running community.
In 2009, David Goggins finished the HURT 100 ultra marathon in fourth place, showcasing his consistent improvement and endurance in the brutal race. He completed the race in a time of 25 hours, 28 minutes.
On September 27, 2012, David Goggins aimed to break the world record for the most pull-ups done in 24 hours as a fundraiser for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, despite facing a severe injury during the challenge.
David Goggins completed the Badwater Ultramarathon in 2013, finishing in 18th place after two failed attempts. He completed the race in 32 hours, 44 minutes, demonstrating his perseverance and determination.
On January 19, 2013, in Brentwood, Tennessee, David Goggins shattered the world record for the most pull-ups done in 24 hours by completing 4,030 pull-ups in 17 hours, showcasing his incredible strength and determination.
In 2016, David Goggins achieved first place in the Infinitus 88k race, known as one of the most challenging races globally.
David Goggins broke the record by completing over 67,000 pull-ups in nine months, achieved two months after his attempt in Nashville, Tennessee.
David Goggins published his self-help memoir 'Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds' on December 4, 2018, sharing his inspirational journey and philosophy on overcoming challenges.
In 2019, David Goggins was honored by being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his remarkable achievements in ultramarathon running, cycling, triathlons, and fundraising for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
David Goggins popularized the 4x4x48 challenge, where participants are dared to complete four miles every four hours over a 48-hour period. The challenge was initially promoted in March 2020 by Goggins to raise money for charity and has since become an annual event with global participation.
David Goggins released the follow-up sequel to his memoir, titled 'Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within', on December 4, 2022, continuing to inspire readers with his motivational insights.
David Goggins completed the iconic Badwater 135 race in Death Valley for the third time, showcasing his endurance and determination.
David Goggins experienced hallucinations during the Moab 240 race, which fueled his determination to finish the race after a previous Did Not Finish (DNF) attempt.