David Goggins: Motivation or Madness? Why He’s the Worst “Guru” Out There (And Just Plain Mean) ????

As someone who loves both exercise and reading, I naturally picked up David Goggins’ book. I thought, “Why not see what this ultra-motivated, extreme athlete has to say?” I’ve always been curious about different ways to stay motivated and push myself, so Goggins seemed like the perfect person to learn from. But as I dug deeper into his story, I found myself raising more eyebrows than dumbbells. ??

Here’s why Goggins, despite his impressive feats, might be one of the worst motivational figures out there—and yes, sometimes, he’s just plain mean. ??

1. The F-Bomb, Goggins’ Favorite Word ??

First, let’s talk about how Goggins uses the F-bomb like it’s going out of style. If you’ve watched any of his videos or read his book, you know the guy cannot go more than a few sentences without dropping one. Sure, swearing can sometimes be cathartic or motivating, but Goggins takes it to another level. It’s like he’s angry at the universe all the time.

But here’s the thing—people who are constantly on edge, like Goggins, sometimes remind me of those on... certain substances (wink wink ??). Ever notice how some people on performance enhancers can be a little more aggressive than usual? Makes you wonder what’s really fueling that fire. ??

2. Steroid Side Effects: Let’s Talk About It ??

Okay, let me be clear: I’m not accusing anyone of anything. But I’ve been on legally prescribed steroids before, and let me tell you, it felt amazing. I was motivated, focused, and ready to take on the world. ?? But here’s the catch—those same substances also come with a few side effects. Increased aggression, mood swings, and an insatiable need to keep pushing harder and harder. Sound familiar? ??

Goggins’ relentless intensity and aggression make me wonder if there’s more going on behind the scenes. His “no rest, push harder” attitude and constant rage-filled speeches? It just screams... something. Not saying it directly, but you get the idea. ??

3. He Claims He Was “Fat” – Yeah, Right

One of Goggins’ biggest selling points is his transformation from being “fat” to becoming an ultramarathoner. But let’s be real: Goggins wasn’t really fat. He was a weightlifter. Sure, he might’ve carried some extra weight for his sport, but calling himself fat is a bit of a stretch. His transformation is more about switching from lifting to long-distance running, not going from couch potato to elite athlete.

And for those who are genuinely overweight? His advice is pretty much, “Just suffer more.” ?? Thanks, Dave, super helpful. The reality is, his advice can be downright dangerous for people who are out of shape. You can’t just jump into Goggins-style training and expect results. For most, it’ll just lead to injuries or burnout. ??

4. When Pushing Too Hard Has Real Consequences

One of the most eye-opening moments in Goggins' book is the tragic story from his Navy SEAL Hell Week training. During this brutal and infamous part of SEAL training, which pushes candidates to their absolute limits with sleep deprivation, cold exposure, and intense physical activity, one of the trainees collapsed and died. The environment was so extreme that it didn’t just break people mentally—it claimed lives. ??

This moment should have been a sobering reminder that pushing too far has real consequences. But for Goggins, it seemed to fit into his narrative of “no excuses” and embracing suffering. It’s easy to see why someone might find this motivating, but it’s also a chilling example of what happens when “pushing through” goes too far. Not every motivational story has a happy ending. ??

5. Goggins is Riddled with Injuries, But He Has the Best Access to Medical Care ??

Let’s be real: Goggins constantly preaches about pushing through pain and injuries, but have you noticed how frequently he gets injured? Here’s just a short list of the injuries he’s racked up over the years:

• Stress fractures in his legs from running endless miles on hard surfaces.
• Multiple torn muscles (including in his legs and back) from overtraining.
• Severe knee damage, requiring surgery to repair the damage.
• Broken toes and lost toenails, which might sound small but are extremely painful and can cause lasting issues.
• Heart issues, including an abnormal heart valve condition (patent foramen ovale, or PFO), which he continued to push through before eventually having surgery.

Now, here’s where it gets tricky. Goggins is wealthy from selling books and giving speeches, meaning he has access to the best medical care in the country. ?? He can fly across the country to see top doctors and specialists for every injury, and he gets the best rehab money can buy. For example, he had surgery for his heart issue and top-tier rehabilitation for his knee damage. That’s all well and good—for him.

But let’s talk about the average person who gets a stress fracture or severe knee injury following Goggins' advice. They’re not flying to the best sports surgeons in the country. They’re more likely to end up in physical therapy, or worse—crippled for life without the proper care. Surgery and recovery for severe injuries like these can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars:

• A single knee surgery can cost upwards of $30,000.
• Specialized rehab or physical therapy can add another $5,000–$10,000 depending on the severity of the injury.
• Treatment for a heart condition like PFO? That can cost anywhere between $20,000 to $100,000, depending on the procedures and follow-ups required.

For someone who doesn’t have Goggins' level of wealth and access, these kinds of injuries can be life-changing—and not in a good way. ?? Goggins can push through because he has the safety net of the best doctors money can buy, but ordinary people trying to follow his advice? They could end up seriously hurt, or even disabled, without ever recovering. ??

6. Steroids and Health Issues: Are There Parallels?

Now, here’s where things get even more interesting. Some of Goggins’ injuries and health issues align with known side effects of long-term steroid use. For example:

• Heart issues (PFO) could be exacerbated by steroid use, which can lead to cardiovascular strain and increase the risk of heart-related problems.
• Tendon and muscle injuries—Goggins has torn multiple muscles over the years, and steroids are known to weaken tendons, making them more prone to injury as muscles grow stronger faster than tendons can adapt.
• Joint damage—Long-term steroid use can contribute to joint and ligament damage, which might explain Goggins’ severe knee injuries and need for surgery.
• Aggression and mood swings—Goggins is famous for his rage-fueled speeches, and steroids can cause aggression and irritability (also known as “roid rage”).

It’s hard not to draw some parallels here. While Goggins attributes his intensity to mental toughness, his medical history has some interesting overlaps with the known effects of performance enhancers. Just something to think about. ??

7. Publicly Shaming People Who Quit

Goggins doesn’t stop at just pushing himself—he makes sure to shame others who don’t live up to his impossible standards. Whether it’s on social media or in interviews, he’s been known to publicly call out those who quit or don’t meet his idea of toughness. Instead of offering support or advice, he just labels them as weak. ??

There’s a fine line between tough love and being a bully, and Goggins often crosses it. Calling someone out publicly? That’s not motivation—it’s humiliation. ??

8. Mocking a Fellow Navy SEAL Candidate

One of Goggins’ well-known stories from SEAL training involves him mocking another candidate who was struggling during Hell Week. Instead of supporting him, Goggins laid into him, calling him weak and saying he didn’t belong there. Navy SEAL training is brutal, sure, but there’s a difference between pushing someone and outright tearing them down. ??

9. Berating People for Not Training Like Him

Goggins seems to think that if you’re not running 100 miles or pushing yourself to the brink of collapse, you’re just making excuses. Injuries? Busy schedule? He doesn’t care. You’re “soft” if you’re not grinding like him. ??

But guess what, Dave? Not everyone has the luxury (or desire) to destroy their bodies the way you do. For most people, juggling daily responsibilities and getting a decent workout in is a victory. Goggins doesn’t seem to get that. ??♂?

10. Mocking Rest and Recovery

In Goggins’ world, rest and recovery are for the weak. He openly mocks people who take time off to recover, claiming they’re not working hard enough. But anyone who’s serious about fitness knows that recovery is just as important as training. If you don’t rest, you burn out or get injured