Trauma and Resilience in David Goggins Can't Hurt Me (2018)
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Date
2023
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Mouloud Mammeri University
Abstract
This dissertation examines the close relationship between trauma and resilience as depicted in David Goggins' memoir, Can't Hurt Me (2018). More precisely, it investigates how Goggins' harrowing experiences of childhood abuse, poverty, and racial discrimination not only shaped his psychological development but also propelled his remarkable journey of personal transformation. By analyzing the themes of trauma and resilience within Goggins' narrative, this study aims to illuminate the enduring impact of childhood trauma on mental health and explore pathways to building resilience and inner strength. The dissertation highlights Goggins' own struggles with academic failure, toxic stress, and anxiety, illustrating how he transcended these challenges by transforming mental weaknesses into motivation and sources of strength. Each character in Goggins' story, like the author himself, endures similar adversities, mirroring the writer's own experiences with violence of an abusive father. This exploration of trauma and resilience employs theoretical frameworks from Norman Granz and Judith Lewis Herman, focusing specifically on their concepts of "Trauma" and "Resilience." Through this lens, the study critically examines the traumatic experiences faced by Goggins and how he reframes and transforms these challenges as catalysts for growth. Particular emphasis is placed on Goggins' philosophy of "embracing suffering," which serves as a foundational element in his approach to overcoming adversity. The dissertation also underscores the necessity of timely and effective treatment to cope as well as to heal from a long-term mental health consequence, advocating for a balanced approach to personal excellence that incorporates self-care. Ultimately, this work seeks to understand how individuals can transform adversity into a driving force for both personal and professional achievement while recognizing the importance of maintaining equilibrium amidst the pursuit of greatness.
Description
53p. ; 30cm(+CD-Rom)
Keywords
Can’t Hurt Me, trauma, resilience, anxiety, childhood abuse, catalysts
Citation
Literature and Interdisciplinary Approaches