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The Human Machine
Below is a video that was recently emailed to me. The video is of David Goggins, a Navy SEAL and Ultramarathon runner who runs to raise money for children of soldiers killed in combat.
I strongly suggest that you take a few minutes to watch the video and hear what he has to say. His words are both inspirational and educational. You’ll find that his message carries over to many facets of life.
At one point he says the following,
“I like to see what I’m made of… See exactly if there is a limit to the human soul.”
He goes on to say,
“If you can see yourself doing something, you can do it. If you can’t see yourself doing it, usually you can’t achieve it.”
He then says,
“When you think you are done, you’re only 40 percent into what your body is capable of doing. That’s just a limit that we put on ourselves.”
These are powerful words from a powerful man. So many people in this world put limits on themselves based on what someone else has told them they could do. Goggins doesn’t listen to anyone. He wakes up every day and finds out for himself.
A similar message was passed on by Richard Marcinko (another well known Navy SEAL). As stated in a past blog entry,
“Conventional wisdom is no wisdom at all. Conventional wisdom is taking somebody else’s word for the way things are… It’s the followers of this world who rely on assumption. Not the leaders.”
More people in this world should live by these words. I’d rather find out for myself what I can or cannot do. Naysayers and critics only add fuel to the fire. No one lives inside me or you. No one knows exactly what another man or woman is capable of achieving. We all have the ability to find our for ourselves, so don’t let a dream snatcher determine your future. It hasn’t been written, no matter what others might like you to believe.
Be your own pen and write it yourself.
Ross
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That is intense. Very cool. I have only run a couple of marathons and 2 ultras, nothing beyond 50 miles, but I definitely can relate to the “multiple walls”….remember hitting one once at mile 43….felt unpleasant…..still finished……..However, nothing even close to what this guy gets done before breakfast….
‘keep on going…….
The crazy thing about this whole thing is that he actually hates running. He does all this to raise money for the families. All the pain and suffering and his self sacrifice. A true hero to look to
Hell yeah, you only live once, live it to the fullest.
I’m amazed that David has such a muscular physique when he does such phenomenal amount of cardiovascular work, something we are told by the bodybuilding world destroys muscle. I guess this is proof that it’s not that simple – I know he is including weights in his routine, so presumably that signals to his body that the muscle is required. But even so, I am still suprprised. Perhaps he has his diet really dialled in, and also employs careful cycles of recovery time?
what an intense individual.
He’s definitely on my radar.
Awesome. Conventional wisdom is wisdom for sheeple. Training is a way to get inside of your head and find a new place to exist. Good stuff. I love this video.
That was awesome. I love how he doesn’t pretend he finds it easy. He is just human like the rest of us. Truly inspirational. Thanks.
Hey Ross!!! It’s your boy Chuck!!!
Wow that was very impressive 150 miles Holy S**t. He was very inspirationla and very well spoken. And that fact that he keeps his emotions to himself n feelings and remains humble is astounding. Very good post n video Ross. Thanks again man.
I like videos like this but no matter how many of them I watch, the ‘mesage’ just never sinks in. Is there something that I am missing? I want to take the flag and run with it, but I just can’t muster the stuff.
I wish I could be like that, no limits, never say die, never quit, but for some reason I just don’t think I have “it”.
Anyone know what I am saying?
great video! It motivated me to do 5 sets of the sequential challenge for the first time. I finished the first 3 sets 1 minute faster too.
Thanks!
Now THAT is what I call a blog post, good effort Ross
Thanks for posting this. This post came right on time for me. I’m thinking about what I want to accomplish in 2009, and my main goal is to basically see what I’m made of. I’m working to become the fittest I have ever been in my life, even fitter than when I was playing D-I soccer in college. Thanks again. Maybe I’ll be able to use some of my Christmas money to buy your books (I hope so)!
wow…awesome video Ross…thank you for this motivational piece
Man what an inspiration.
I like to push through workouts to achieve greater things, but not like this guy!
Jeremy Reeves
http://www.fitness-product-reviews.com
Best Quote
“I would rather leave it all out there…. or not go out there at all.”
That was a great story!!!!
When I was in Infantry training in the U.S.M.C. we had the honor of speaking with then Commandant General Charles Krulak. He told us about the “limits” of the human soul with the following story he witnessed while in Vietnam.
Krulak and a Platoon had been helio dropped onto an open field. Once the helicopters were out of range (sight) they began making their way to a dry river bed when they began taking heavy fire from an enemy machine gun nest. Once in the river bed Krulak began calling for air support as many of his men were still in the open and some were being killed. Suddenly the RTO (radio telephone operator) pulled on his sleeve and pointed toward the field. They both watched in amazement as a Marine, corporal Smith, charged the nest, while zigging and zagging drawing the enemy fire away from his fellow Marines and giving them time to get to the river bed and under cover. While watching, and continuing to call for air support and ordering men up the river bed to flank the enemy position the saw Corporal Smith’s body jerk and fall. He had been hit by enemy fire from a .60 caliber heavy machine gun. Yet his actions had saved the remaining lives of his squad. Back to yelling for air support and flanking the enemy Krulak’s attention was on other tasks when the RTO jerked on his sleeve and pointed again to that open field. Smith was up again! His M-16 A-1 was shouldered and he was marching, slowly, toward the enemy! 2 steps. CRACK! CRACK! on and on keeping the enemy focused on him alone. 2 steps. CRACK! CRACK!
Krulak and his men maneuvered up the river bed all the while Smith marched, 2 steps. CRACK! CRACK!
When Krulak and the rest of the platoon finally got to the machine gun nest what they found would live in their memories forever. 3 dead viet-cong lie in shambles around the nest and Smith was sprawled, face down, over the .60 caliber machine gun. The medic pulled him off but it was too late, Smith was already dead. When he opened his flack vest he discovered Smith had taken so much damage that his vest was the only thing keeping his body together! Ross you often pose the question, in so many words, “What is the limit to the human soul.” And the answer is NONE!!!
Next time any of you feel you can’t take another step remember Corporal Smith, body torn, fellow Marines, brothers, dying and JUST KEEP MARCHING!!! OOH RAH!!!
Truly Amazing and Inspirational!
The most powerful thing in the world will continue to be the human mind…
I’ve now watched that video about 5 times. It’s inspirational.
I love the bit when he talks about hitting walls, and you go left or right looking for a door, when you find that door you must open it or forever regret that opportunity.
Good life lessons in this video, and of course in the blog Ross.
Merry Xmas , Happy new year to all, hope 2009 is a great one.
Wow. Great little inspiring video. I’d like to add one of my favorite quotes to his above: Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re probably right.
Good stuff, and thanks for posting it.
In this IronMan interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eltcS-qXr2k&NR=1 he states that he used to weigh 280! He’s now. This man is intense.
very inspirational video, it has motivated me more into working out harder, thanks for posting the video
I am awestruck and this has been an eye-opener to me. A true inspiration.
It’s people and posts like this that inspire us all to do more than we think we can and be more than we think we are. Thanks!
[...] Goggins was featured here in a previous entry. The video below is as inspiring as the first. He’s obviously taken his body and mind [...]