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. Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman 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 Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Insight in to goggins

Great insight in to an amazing fella. Goggins !!!!!

“All stick no carrot “ words to live by

Incredible view into how one of the greatest mental strength developments has launched himself and continues to propel himself.

Goggins and Huberman created the most impressive and memorable podcasts on mental fortitude and resilience, along with a massive scoop of grit and wisdom. It’s not nice and full or rainbows, but scary and dark, but that’s where you find the True answer. Thank you for sharing David. Thank you for organizing this Andrew.

Love him!

I was hoping he would be on your podcast! thank you both for this!

Just do it

Sometimes you need those hard truths. You have excuses or you have progress. I choose progress!