Goggins Challenge: Why would anyone do it?

4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours. 48 miles in two days. Sleep deprivation. Intense physical stress. But why? David Goggins, often called the toughest man alive, takes on extreme challenges like this. But why would I(or any regular person) do something so tough? What makes us want to take on challenges that seem impossible, whether it’s pushing through a huge event or simply trying to run a 5K without stopping when walking that distance feels hard?

It took me a lot of reflection (about 12 rounds of 4-hour intervals, to be exact LOL), but I’ve come to realize three key reasons why I love challenging myself. And while I can’t speak for everyone, I believe many people who embrace challenges are guided by similar principles.

1. I do it because I can.
   I know my body won’t always be this capable. One day, I won’t be able to run as fast, as long, or push myself this hard. There will come a time when all I’ll have are thoughts of "I wish I could still do that." So, I choose to do it now, while I can, so I’ll look back and think, "I remember when I did that." I’m the youngest that I will ever be ans I’m grateful for a body that allows me to embrace discomfort on my terms, and that’s one of the reasons I push myself - I do it because I can.

   I do it to build undeniable proof that I am who I say I am.
   I do it to prove to myself that I am who I say I am. As Alex Hormozi says, "You don’t get confident by shouting affirmations in the mirror but by building proof that you are who you say you are." I agree with that. When I say I can stick to my goals (like not hitting snooze or finishing a tough run after little sleep) there’s always a part of me that doubts. Why wouldn’t I hit snooze again? Why wouldn’t I skip the run? That’s why I challenge myself, to prove that I can push through discomfort, to show that I’m on the path to becoming the person I want to be. Even if I’m not there yet, I know I can improve because I’ve shown myself that I can do difficult things. I am who I say I am.

2. I do it because I don’t know my limits.
   We often get stuck in our comfort zones, not realizing what we’re truly capable of. We underestimate ourselves. That’s why I push myself: to discover new limits and prove that I can do things I didn’t think were possible.

I believe everyone has their own "why" when it comes to taking on challenges, whether it's Goggins-level craziness or running their first 5K without stopping. With hard work, commitment, and the right plan, you can achieve extraordinary things. But I truly believe that none of it is possible without first challenging yourself and creating undeniable proof that you're becoming the person you want to be.