BOOK CLUB REVIEW REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS
NEVER FINISHED BY DAVID GOGGINS life, the obstacles and how he overcame them. If you’re looking for motivation, this is the book that will have you questioning if you’re doing enough, and more than likely help push you out of your comfort zone. Never Finished is not layered in fairy floss or fluff, and there’s absolutely no BS. If you’ve ever watched a Goggins video, then you’ll know he’s very ‘in your face’ and doesn’t hold back with colourful language; it’s all transferred into this publication too so if you’re not a fan of swear words, you can actually get yourself a non-sweary version.
If you haven’t heard of endurance runner and former Navy SEAL David Goggins, then picking up his latest book Never Finished will blow your mind. It should actually be titled 'How To Be A Savage 101’. Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds (2018) was his debut memoir and an introduction to the power of the mind. Never Finished (2022) is a journey into Goggins’ Mental Lab, where he developed the philosophy, psychology and strategies which enabled him to learn that what he thought was his limit was only his beginning. Many have called it their favourite book of the year, with Goggins recollecting a barrage of stories from his personal
26
Whilst delving into the background of the book and how readers’ related to it, it seems many purchased Never Finished to help lift them out of dark times due to Goggins’ ambitious personality and reputation of having contagious motivation. He doesn’t claim Never Finished to be a self-help book – it’s the first line to his introduction. In fact, he likens it more to a boot camp for the brain; a what-the-f#4k-are-you-doingwith-your-life book; or the wake-up call you don’t want and probably didn’t know you needed. There are some really unforgettable messages in Never Finished. One in particular has become my favourite: You can’t be afraid to disappoint people. You have to live the life you want to live. Sometimes, that means being the motherfucker who can put a middle finger
up to everyone in the room and be totally comfortable with that. And there you have it. One quote, and you can already tell the type of person Goggins is (if you aren’t familiar with him). But he raises so many good points, it’s hard to dislike him simply for his use of language. As runners, we’re always looking to push ourselves further and go beyond what we might think we’re capable of. Some of us have coaches, others don’t. Some of us need someone yelling in our ears to push further and harder, others have the selfmotivation to do it all themselves. Reading Never Finished is, at times, almost like Goggins is speaking directly to you – it’s powerful, it’s inspiring, it’s a book with a unique perspective on the importance of perseverance and determination. Another strength of the publication is Goggins’ honesty. Clearly, he doesn’t shy away from discussing the challenges he faced throughout his life, telling of a troubled childhood and issues with depression and PTSD. But he’s completely and 100% open and candid about the lessons he’s learned, and that’s what makes his work so incredibly appealing to a wide range of audiences. Never Finished is a kick-up-the-bum but I-need-it read.
