David Goggins - How To Break Free From Your Old Self (4K)

David Goggins, known for his extreme endurance feats, discusses his journey of personal growth, emphasizing resilience and the importance of mastering one's mind. He shares insights from his experiences as a smokejumper, tackling wildland fires in remote areas, and the lessons learned from enduring physical and mental challenges, such as the Moab 240 race. Goggins highlights the significance of overcoming personal demons, building self-belief, and evolving continuously. He also reflects on his relationship with his past, including a difficult childhood, and how confronting these experiences has shaped his mission to inspire others.

• The world is a challenging adversary that seeks to exploit weaknesses, requiring individuals to build belief and confidence to withstand its pressures.
• Growth and self-discovery often require stepping away from comfort zones and engaging in actions rather than just talking.
• Smoke jumping is used as a metaphor for tackling difficult situations head-on, requiring preparation, endurance, and teamwork.

"I'm trying to build people up. I'm trying to armor their mind. I'm trying to get them the belief because this world we live in is tough."

• Emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude to withstand life's challenges.

"I'm about action, and action means less talking and more doing."

• Highlights the value of actions over words in personal growth.

"Smoke jumpers jump out of airplanes and we'll land in these really tight small Drop Zones with all of our gear, and we'll put the fire out."

• Illustrates the concept of confronting challenges directly and the necessity of teamwork.

• Personal growth is found in challenging and uncomfortable situations, not in comfort or financial gain.
• Success and personal evolution require continuous self-improvement and avoiding complacency.
• The pursuit of growth involves capping success and returning to fundamental challenges to gain new insights.

"There's no growth in that, so I decided to go out and do this."

• Growth is achieved through seeking new challenges rather than resting on past successes.

"For me, the whole money part of it, it's not what it's about. I'm all about that growth."

• Personal fulfillment and growth are prioritized over financial incentives.

"I have to cap My Success because for me to help people out, I can't just say I did it once and I'm good."

• Continuous self-improvement is essential to remain effective in helping others.

• Success can lead to complacency, requiring individuals to cap their achievements and strive for continual improvement.
• Trained humility is crucial in maintaining a grounded perspective despite external success or recognition.
• The story of William Crawford illustrates the importance of humility and service despite significant personal achievements.

"You have to cap it. You have to learn to cap success."

• Success must be managed to avoid becoming complacent and losing the drive for improvement.

"Humility is everything."

• Humility is vital in staying grounded and continuing personal development.

"For this man to be at the level he was and had that kind of humility to go, 'I'm a Medal of Honor winner, but I'm gonna put that in my closet and I'm gonna pick up my broom and dustpan.'"

• Demonstrates the power of humility in achieving personal growth and maintaining perspective.

• Extreme challenges, such as Navy SEAL training, require a unique mindset that is often misunderstood by those not in that environment.
• There is a need for individuals with exceptional mental toughness and resilience to perform demanding roles.
• The one-second decision is a critical moment where individuals choose to persist despite overwhelming adversity.

"It takes a different kind of mindset."

• Extreme challenges require a mindset that is not easily understood by the majority.

"You need people like that. You need the Elon Musks. You need the David Goggins."

• Highlights the necessity of individuals with exceptional resilience and drive.

"The one-second decision is just that you're in a situation where life is sucking."

• The one-second decision represents the critical moment of choice in the face of adversity.

• The Moab 240 race exemplifies pushing beyond perceived physical and mental limits to achieve personal milestones.
• Persistence and resilience are key in overcoming setbacks and achieving goals despite challenges.
• The experience of completing the race, despite not officially finishing, provided profound personal insights and growth.

"I started getting, you know, a little bit injuries, a little bit this, a little that, things that back in the day never slowed me down."

• Acknowledges the challenges faced in maintaining physical and mental toughness.

"I end up finishing on a road on, you know, by a telephone pole, and that was my official finish."

• Completing the race, despite setbacks, was a significant personal achievement.

"Can I take one more step? And usually, the answer is yes."

• Highlights the importance of perseverance and taking incremental steps toward goals.

• The concept of the "one second decision" is about gaining control over your mind and making split-second decisions that can have long-term consequences.
• It's essential to project yourself forward to see the consequences of failing or stopping, which can lead to long-term shame and regret.
• Success in challenging endeavors, like becoming a SEAL, hinges on mastering these critical moments.

"It's about gaining control of your mind, putting things back in the proper perspective, and then saying, 'I really do want to be here.'"

• This quote highlights the importance of mental control and perspective in making pivotal decisions.

"Most people fail those one seconds, and then that one second leads to 20 years, 30 years, 40 years of regret."

• This quote emphasizes the long-term impact of failing to make the right decision in crucial moments.

• Failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success; it's seen as the first, second, and third attempt.
• Revisiting past challenges, like the Moab race, shows resilience and the importance of persistence.
• Physical and mental endurance are tested in extreme conditions, revealing personal limits and growth.

"Failure is the ultimate thing, man. I failed so many times before, that's why I don't look at failure anymore as failure."

• This quote illustrates the transformative view of failure as part of the learning process.

"I am exactly what I should have been, and that's where people start to lose it because now I realize that in that one second."

• This quote underscores the realization and acceptance of one's journey and the importance of seizing pivotal moments.

• Extreme physical challenges, such as ultra-marathons, test the limits of human endurance and resilience.
• The first 100-mile race was a pivotal experience, teaching what is possible through sheer willpower and mental strength.
• The story of enduring severe physical pain during races illustrates the mental fortitude required to overcome physical limitations.

"My first 100-mile race by far was the most painful. That last 30 miles was something that I can't even describe to people."

• This quote highlights the intensity and difficulty of pushing physical boundaries.

"I had just climbed a mental wall that was amazing, and I didn't want anybody to take that pain away from me."

• This quote reflects the profound personal achievement and mental breakthrough experienced through extreme physical challenges.

• Motivation is not a permanent fix; it is fleeting and should not be relied upon solely for achieving goals.
• Discipline and mental training are crucial for performing without motivation or purpose.
• The necessity of training the mind to function beyond motivation is emphasized as a key to success.

"They think it's something that is a constant. They think that maybe once I get it, I'm gonna hold on to it."

• This quote addresses the misconception that motivation is a constant state.

"You have to learn to be your best self when you're least motivated, and that's the tricky part about all that."

• This quote stresses the importance of self-discipline and mental resilience in the absence of motivation.

• Criticism often comes from those not achieving at the same level, and it should be used as motivation rather than discouragement.
• Creating "mixtapes" of negative comments can serve as a source of fuel and reflection on past insecurities.
• Understanding the source of criticism helps in not taking it personally and using it constructively.

"I started making these mixtapes with all of these hate messages, and it became such a source of fuel."

• This quote illustrates the use of negativity as a motivational tool.

"I've learned to study people before I react because there's no successful person in the world who's in a good head space that's going to ever attack anyone in that kind of manner."

• This quote highlights the importance of understanding the motivations behind criticism and reacting thoughtfully.

• Observing negative role models can be as instructive as positive ones, teaching what behaviors and choices to avoid.
• Success can often be achieved by avoiding the pitfalls and failures observed in others.
• Reflecting on negative influences can provide valuable insights and guidance for personal development.

"I sat back and watched my dad, definitely don't want to do that, my mom, my brother, whoever it may be."

• This quote emphasizes the value of learning from the negative examples set by others.

"I think you'd pity them. And that's a realization that's taken a long time for me to come up with."

• This quote reflects the understanding and empathy gained from recognizing the struggles of those who criticize.

• Being present in the moment is crucial for meaningful interactions and personal growth.
• Distractions, such as phones, can hinder the ability to be fully engaged and present.
• The choice to be present reflects a commitment to personal and professional relationships.

"That phone is the biggest distraction in the world. When it comes time for the phone, I'm on the phone. When not, I don't use it."

• This quote underscores the importance of limiting distractions to maintain focus and presence.

"I'm all about being present where I'm at."

• This quote highlights the commitment to being fully engaged in the moment and interactions.

• The importance of organizing one's mind to maintain discipline and consistency.
• Mental clutter can hinder the ability to stay disciplined in various aspects of life.
• Meditation is a critical tool for mental organization and discipline.

"Your mind has to always be clear; that's why I meditate two hours every single night because I refresh, I reorganize the garage which is my mind every night."

• Meditation helps clear the mind, allowing for better discipline and organization.

• The speaker follows a strict morning routine that includes running, gym, and cycling.
• Physical exercise is used as a form of mental preparation and self-discipline.
• The routine is a form of "armor" against daily challenges.

"Every morning starts with a run and that's because that's the one thing I hate to do more than anything in the world."

• Running is used as a discipline tool, tackling the hardest task first to build mental strength.

• Confidence is built through competence and undeniable proof of accomplishments.
• Affirmations alone are not sufficient for building true confidence.
• There is a necessary relationship between confidence and competence.

"You don't become confident by shouting affirmations in the mirror but by having a stack of undeniable proof that you are who you say you are."

• True confidence is rooted in real achievements and efforts, not just verbal affirmations.

• The concept of not letting dreams become your master but rather mastering them through action.
• Achieving dreams requires a detailed plan and execution, not just wishful thinking.

"When you become the master of your dream is when you say I want to go be a Navy SEAL and you say okay, I'm gonna lose 106 pounds in less than three months."

• Mastery of dreams involves turning aspirations into actionable plans and tasks.

• The speaker discusses the journey of overcoming personal and familial trauma.
• Facing past demons is necessary for personal growth and moving forward.
• The importance of not being ashamed of one's past and using it for self-improvement.

"I'm trying to build people up. I'm trying to armor their mind. I'm trying to get the belief because this world we live in is tough."

• Building mental resilience and self-belief is crucial for overcoming life's challenges.

• The speaker's journey of understanding and breaking the cycle of generational trauma.
• The significance of confronting and understanding one's past to prevent passing trauma to future generations.

"I had to understand who my father was, understand where he came from, understand why were you so brutal to us."

• Understanding the roots of trauma helps in breaking the cycle and fostering personal healing.

• The speaker and his mother publicly discuss their traumatic past to own their narrative.
• Sharing personal stories is seen as a way to heal and inspire others.

"It's hard, but it's necessary to be able to own your trauma, to be able to own everything about you and look it in the eye."

• Publicly sharing personal struggles can be empowering and help others facing similar issues.

• The speaker reflects on the implications of his past on his role as a parent.
• Acknowledges the importance of self-awareness and growth in becoming a better parent.

"I actually have a daughter right now... when you're in a bad place, you're not going to meet a Kish, you're going to meet a person that's very similar to who you are at that time."

• Personal growth and self-awareness are crucial for positive parenting and breaking negative cycles.

• Discusses the challenges of personal growth and how it can affect relationships, particularly when one person is not willing to grow alongside.
• Reflects on the impact of trauma and isolation during school years, emphasizing loneliness over bullying as a primary issue.
• Shares a story about receiving an apology from a former bully, highlighting the transformative power of reflection and remorse.

"And then you bring a child into this world and as you start to move up in this world and get better and you realize I need to get better you try to pull that person along with you a lot of times they don't want to come where you're going and it creates a bad environment."

• This quote illustrates the friction that can occur in relationships when one person is evolving and the other is resistant to change.

"I do this interview for the BBC and I mention a little bit about bullying in school and so why don't you mention it I haven't got around to it yet I maybe still feel like it detracts from the man that I want to be."

• Highlights the internal conflict of sharing past vulnerabilities and the fear of appearing weak.

"I wanted to let you know that my daughter is going to be raised in a way that will never treat anybody like that again."

• Demonstrates the bully's realization and commitment to breaking the cycle of harmful behavior.

• Emphasizes the importance of building resilience to face life's inevitable challenges.
• Advocates for experiencing "chosen suffering" as preparation for unchosen suffering.
• Discusses the necessity of developing toughness to maneuver through life's traumas and devastations.

"You have to build a person that can withstand the pressures of whatever they're going to be dealing with in life and we don't do that."

• Stresses the need to develop personal resilience to handle life's pressures effectively.

"Unchosen suffering is going to happen right so the only thing that you can do is have some chosen suffering to prepare for it."

• Suggests that intentionally facing difficult situations can prepare individuals for unforeseen challenges.

• Highlights the importance of dealing with reality and understanding oneself.
• Critiques the effectiveness of virtual reality experiences in preparing for real-life situations.
• Emphasizes the continuous process of self-improvement and accountability.

"One thing about me is I deal in reality you put me in VR as VR it's a fake thing and I work in reality I only work in reality."

• Asserts the value of focusing on real-world experiences over simulated ones.

"Everything I need is in my mental lab because I'm in constant study of myself."

• Emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and personal accountability in personal development.

• Discusses the concept of performing at a high level even in the absence of external goals or motivations.
• Encourages finding intrinsic motivation and pride in oneself as the primary purpose for action.

"You need to get to a point in your life where there's nothing on the docket there's no 5K there's no I'm going to get into school to be this or that and still perform to the highest level."

• Advocates for maintaining high performance driven by self-pride rather than external goals.

"The very purpose is you you are always the purpose."

• Highlights the idea that self-improvement and personal pride should be the core motivators for one's actions.

• Reflects on the transformative power of loneliness and solitude in personal growth.
• Suggests that traits developed in solitude can become strengths in adulthood.

"Growing up as a lonely kid what you realize is a lot of the things that you feared or hated or embarrassed about as a child end up being the Genesis of the things that you're most proud about as an adult."

• Acknowledges how past challenges can evolve into future strengths.

"The fact that you can work and thrive in solitude gives you the opportunity to be able to move to America and start a podcast."

• Suggests that the ability to thrive in solitude can lead to significant personal achievements.

• Encourages the creation of a personal mission statement to guide actions and maintain accountability.
• Emphasizes the role of self-pride in achieving personal goals and overcoming challenges.

"If people can make up a mission statement an ethos and which they want to live by and every morning you wake up you hold yourself accountable to that mission."

• Advocates for having a personal ethos as a guiding principle for daily actions.

"You have to have pride in yourself you have to have there's something about you whether it's your last name whether it's just the smallest thing you have to be proud of yourself."

• Highlights the necessity of self-pride in driving personal accountability and success.

• Discusses the importance of supporting others and sharing success.
• Highlights the role of influential figures in promoting the success of others.

"There's enough food enough cake for everybody out here to eat."

• Emphasizes the abundance mindset in sharing success and opportunities with others.

"He's all about people making it and that's something that a lot of us can learn from."

• Suggests that helping others succeed is a valuable trait to emulate.

• Describes the ongoing journey of self-discovery and personal mastery.
• Emphasizes the importance of exploring untapped potential and striving for continuous improvement.

"I love mastering self I love it there's nothing more because I know where I came from."

• Expresses passion for self-mastery and the transformative journey from past to present.

"There's still more there's still more still a lot more."

• Acknowledges the endless potential for personal growth and self-improvement.