How David Goggins went from struggling exterminator to ripped Navy SEAL and TikTok fitness sensation
DAVID Goggins hit rock bottom as an overweight exterminator in 1999 and decided to make massive life change – one which would lead him on a path to fame.
His killer mindset and intense diet and exercise regimes have captivated the world and inspired millions online.
The former Navy SEAL was earning only £800 a month as an exterminator in New York State where he gorged himself on donuts and burgers each evening.
He told CNBC: “I would go in and get a large chocolate milkshake.
“And then I would go across the street to 7-Eleven, get a box of mini donuts.”
David ballooned to 300 pounds when his life changed after hearing an advert on television for Navy SEALs training.
He said: “I got sick of being haunted by being nobody.”
“I didn’t want to sit back and continually watch these shows about great people doing amazing things.
“I wanted that feeling in my head that I believed that they had: of true accomplishment.”
David, 23 at the time, was inspired and began a new mentality which transformed his life.
In order to join the elite force, however, David needed to lose 106 pounds in three months.
He took on an extreme diet which cut 2000 calories out of his diet per day, which he supplemented with only 800 calories of protein rich foods.
His food each day only consisted of a banana, rice, chicken, broccoli and a protein shake.
He stuck to a split of 40 per cent protein, 40 per cent healthy fats, and 20 per cent carbohydrates to stay balanced.
David’s workout routine for three months was intense enough to make any normal person quit.
He would wake at 4:30am, eat one banana, and ride on an exercise bike for an hour.
This was followed by studying for the US Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery exam, then two miles of swimming.
David didn’t stop there: he would do multiple sets of 100-200 reps for three hours, then hop back on the exercise bike for 4 more hours before studying and going to bed at 10:30pm.
After the insane dieting and exercising for three months, he lost the 106 pounds and was accepted into Navy SEALs training.
He refers to his life changing lookout on life as “day one, week one” mentality.
David lives each day as if it’s the first day of the first week of a new job – but although it works, sometimes this mentality can “rub people the wrong way”.
David said: “Before you go to a job interview, you lay your clothes out.
“You’ve got your bowl out for your oatmeal, your protein shake, everything is laid out. You show up 30 minutes early. You’re prepped. You studied.”
He claims this mindset is when people are at their very best, and “fight for everything”.
His intense workout regime 20 years on has continued to shock his friends, family and the world.
David, now 47, rises before the sun at 3am and begins his day with an impressive 20 mile run.
By the time he finishes his first workout, he’s ready to bike 20 miles to his work, according to SportsKeeda.
When he hits the gym, he does three sets of 10 deadlifts, three sets of five pull ups, and a whopping five sets of 25 push ups.
His famous work ethic has made him a legend among fitness fanatics and military personnel.
He remains the only member of the U.S. armed forces ever to complete training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger and Air Force Tactical Air Controller.
He also gained fame for running a staggering 101 miles in just 19 hours and completing 4030 pull-ups in 17 hours.
Clearly, David’s “day one, week one” mentality has yet to fade.
Many people become too comfortable after they reach their goals, David said, and the “day one, week one” mentality is replaced with the “I’ve arrived” mindset.
He said: “Everybody has these bars. You have these bars and once you get there, you’ve made it. There’s a party.
“There’s a big celebration. People are invited. There’s a trophy. Maybe there’s a bonus check. Maybe you wear some big thing on your uniform. Who knows what it is, but it’s a completion of something.
“I don’t have a bar. I feel guilty if I haven’t achieved every day.”
David has inspired generations of people online, with the hashtag “David Goggins” amassing 715.7million views on TikTok alone.
He often posts videos of his impressive endurance training, and provides advice to others who are struggling as he did.
One viewer commented under his video: “I read your book and it changed my life.”
Another said: “You are my idol man, just finished can’t hurt me. I’ve never looked up to someone so much.”
He’s been a guest on podcasts including the Joe Rogan Experience, The Today Show and more.
David now has a net worth of £3million, and has released two books: Can’t Hurt Me in 2019 and sequel Never Finished in 2022
In an interview with Youtuber Tom Bilyeu, he reflected on his life changing mindset: “I’m training my mind, and my body, and my spirit, so it’s all one, so I can handle what life is gonna throw at me.
“Because the life I’ve lived, it throws a whole bunch at you. And if you’re not physically and mentally prepared for that, you’re just going to crumble. And you’re good for nobody.”
