David Goggins Bio: Career, Athlete, Wife & Net Worth

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American ultramarathon runner, ultradistance biker, triathlete, public speaker, and author David Goggins was born on February 17, 1975. He was a former member of the US Air Force’s Tactical Air Control Party and a retired US Navy SEAL who participated in the Iraq War.

Not many people can take pride in claiming to serve one’s country on the frontline as well as being a reputed sportsman, but David Goggins can. The former military man found prominence and success through his career as an athlete.

David Goggins (Source: The Fittest Experience)
David Goggins (Source: The Fittest Experience)

From rucking to being an author, David has done it all. He has pushed himself beyond his limits and keeps exploring his potential. 

Regarded as the most inspirational man on the planet, however, many people are only aware of the name but not of the man himself.

We can’t claim that either. However, we compiled information on the veteran’s life, and we are eager to share it with you. To get acquainted, check out some quick facts:

Quick Facts

Full Name David Goggins 
Birth Date February 17, 1975
Birth Place Buffalo, New York, the United States
Nick Name Toughest Man Alive, Ultraman
Religion Christian
Nationality American
Ethnicity African American
Education Not Available
Horoscope Aquarius
Father’s Name Trunnis Goggins
Mother’s Name Jackie Goggins
Siblings Trunnis Jr. Goggins
Age 49 Years Old
Height 1.85 m (6 Feet)
Weight 91 kgs (200 lbs)
Hair Color Black
Eye Color Brown
Build Athletic
Profession
  • Ultramarathon Runner
  • Ultra-distance Cyclist
  • Triathlete
  • Public Speaker
  • Author
  • Retired United States Navy SEAL
  • Former the United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party
Rank  Chief Petty Officer
Health Problems Obesity, Asthma, Congenital heart defect, Knee Injury
Charity Special Operations Warrior Foundation 
Marital Status Divorced
Ex-Wife Aleeza Goggins
Kids Not Available
Net Worth $2.5M
Salary $80K
Social Media Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
Last Updated March 2024

Early Life & Family

David Goggins was born in Buffalo, New York, United States, on February 17, 1975. He is the son of Trunnis Goggins and Jackie Goggins.

Although some sources suggest that Goggins’ parents split because of persisting domestic violence.

Despite a troubled childhood, the African American is a lauded role model for men and women of all ages across every nation.

Before his athletic pursuit, Goggins joined to serve in the army. As a result, the harsh training he had to undergo shaped him into the man he is today.

During his time in NAVY, Goggins learned the value of hard work, fitness and developed courage and determination along the way.

Age, Height, & Body Stats

The ultramarathon runner, as of now, is 44 years old. Also, the former SEAL man stands at a staggering height of 6’2″ (188 cm) 1.85 m and, in like manner, weighs a perfect 86 kg (190 lb). Being an athlete comes as no doubt that he has a hunky build.

Formerly struggling with an eating disorder and obesity, Goggins turned the tables in his favor.

Dubbed a human machine, David’s daily routine starts at 3:45 AM; he runs 15 miles and bikes 60 miles every day.

During his initial period of marathon running, David had the support of his wife and mother, and throughout the course, he was subject to many debilitating diseases.

Now a popular name in the sporting world, David doesn’t show signs of stopping even if he swiftly approaches middle age.

“Age is just a number,” a recurring yet motivational saying well labels David, who breaks barriers to achieve greatness.

Being diagnosed with ASD(atrial septal defect) wasn’t mainly a comforting situation for him.

Military & Athletic Career

Military Life

Life in the military is taxing. Upon joining the United States Air Force Pararescue, Goggins failed ASVAB, a form of test to be accepted into “The Pipeline.” When he finally succeeded, one of the doctors diagnosed him and discovered Sickle Cell Trait.

It certainly did not make his life easier. After a week of rest, David returned to the training. However, the commander stated he had to redo every training process.

Hence, Goggins declined and switched to serve in the United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TACP).

Similarly, David’s service lasted until 1999, after which he decided to leave the Air Force. Later on, the marathon runner completed BUD/S training, although it took him three tries.

The details, as mentioned above, show the immense resilience the record holder possessed. Even through sickness and countless failures, Goggins was hungry to earn his place. By this time, he was already a source of inspiration.

After being assigned to SEAL Team FIVE, David served his time throughout the war period in Iraq.

Life Of An Athlete

A raging inferno burned inside him. David had the desire to do something for the children of his fallen warrior friends. Subsequently, he would go on to establish himself as an athlete by starting with Badwater Ultramarathon.

A 135-mile-long run through death valley that led to Whitney Portal awaited David.

Even when his kidneys were shutting down, the man-machine completed an entire 100-mile lap plus one mile more in under 19 hours.

David Goggins Athletic Life (Source: Pinterest)
David Goggins Athletic Life (Source: Pinterest)

However, going to the doctor was not an option for him. In the coming ten days, David ran the Las Vegas in 3:08 minutes. Again, after a month, participating in the HURT 100 put him in a wheelchair.

Did he stop? Not likely. We are talking about human-made machines here. The year was 2006; David ran Badwater 135 and finished fifth.

Above all, the machine man wanted to test how long a body lasts after subjecting it to high-level endurance events. To follow up, the list of his achievements is outstanding.

Later Career

To begin with, in the Ultraman, after three days, in a 320-mile race and cycling for almost 261 miles, David took second place. In like manner, a third-place followed him in 2007 for the Badwater marathon.

Goggins participated in 14 ultra-endurance races landing fifth place in 9 of these with no signs of resting.

Another outstanding record was when the human machine surpassed the previous record by 20 miles as he completed 203.5 miles in a 48-hour national championship.

It was bland compared to what he would go on to accomplish on January 20, 2013. But, then, a record 4,025 pull-ups under 17 hours on live television labeled him with legendary status.

At the same time, David did it while he suffered from heart disease. Later on, he had heart surgery to repair the atrial septal defect in his heart.

Net Worth, Salary & Income | Endorsements & Philanthropic Efforts

After all these years of enduring and challenging himself, Goggins amassed $2.5M. With that, David receives a yearly salary of $80k. Unfortunately, there aren’t other income sources as he is entirely reliant on athletics.

Philanthropist | Charity, Motivational Speaker, & Memoir

When David’s friends perished during a covert operation in Afghanistan in 2005, he hoped to raise funds for Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

As a result, the former NAVY started long-distance running, and Goggins was prompted to compete in many endurance challenges.

For instance, the athlete participated in Badwater Ultramarathon three times in a row, raising almost $2 million for the foundation.

David Goggins' Memoir Can't Hurt Me. (Source: Zedge)
David Goggins’ Memoir Can’t Hurt Me. (Source: Zedge)

Furthermore, understanding the hardships he faced, Goggins was innate in imparting the desire to sustain and motivate him to move on.

Often, the runner traveled to various sports teams, some being Atlanta Hawks and Seattle Seahawks, and college-level athletes who came from Alabama, Tennessee, and Michigan.

A well-renowned entrepreneur Jesse Itzler invited David to live with him for a month at one point in his life.

The sole reason was that he was equally astounded and inspired by Goggins’ resolve. Itzler later went on to publish Living With A SEAL. Likewise, David himself would release two self-help memoirs, Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds.

Here are some famous book quotes to inspire you to keep pushing your limits:

You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.

In the military, we always say we don’t rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training.

Relationship, Wife & Kids

David tied the knot to Aleeza, who worked as a nurse and was a support system during Goggins’ endeavor years. Aleeza, a Japanese resident, returned to her native upon the expiration of her visa.

Nevertheless, her departure was Goggins’ involvement in strenuous activities that put their marriage at risk.

Finally, the couple now lives separately. It is doubtful that David might reconcile with his ex-wife, but we wish him the best personally and professionally.

Meet & Greet of David Goggins 2022

The last Meet & Greet of David Goggins (Meet Your Heroes) HALL 7- NEC BIRMINGHAM Tickets, Fri 23 Sep 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite.

David Goggins- Meet & Greet (Source: eventbrite.co.uk)
David Goggins- Meet & Greet (Source: eventbrite.co.uk)

Inspirational Quotes Of David Goggins

  • “I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m done.”

  • “Greatness pulls mediocrity into the mud. Get out there and get after it.”

  • “Mental toughness is a lifestyle.”

  • “Never let people who choose the path of least resistance steer you away from your chosen path of most resistance.”

  • “Seeds burst from the inside out in a self-destructive ritual of new life.”

Popularity Graph

The Popularity Graph of David Goggin is always on the high rise because of his influence through his leadership and guidance quality.

Popularity-Graph-David Goggins
Popularity-Graph-David Goggins (Source: Google)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Where can I get David Googins’ contact info?

The runner’s contact info is kept private for the moment. However, you can email him at [email protected].

What is David Goggins’ quote on driven?

The public speaker believes that it’s more important to be driven than to be motivated. In a video, he said,

The difference between the people who quit and those of us who earned our tridents was we stayed driven, even though there may have been times we wanted to quit. Being driven keeps you from doing that.

Is David Goggins a wildland firefighter?

Yes, the author can add wildland firefighters to the resume too. The retired US Navy Seal has been a wildland firefighter for a long time now. 

Did David Goggins’ have knee surgery?

As far as our knowledge, Goggins has not had knee surgery. However, while in the Navy, the motivational speaker sustained a serious knee injury. 

He broke his kneecap but did nothing about it. Moreover, David was running and pushing himself continuously with a broken kneecap. 

As of now, the author regrets not taking his knee seriously and has advised people to be kind to their knees and take care of them while they have them.

When did David Goggins break the Guinness 24-hour pull-up record?

The retired US Navy SEAL broke the Guinness 24-hour pull-up world record on  January 20, 2013. He broke the record in his third attempt by doing 4030 repetitions.

What is David Goggins’s Ironman time?

As per the stated record, the triathlete completed the Ironman World Championship in 11 hours. 

Aaditya Bhatta
Aaditya Bhatta

Aaditya Bhatta

Aaditya Bhatta is a dynamic writer and sports enthusiast, whose passion for both realms is reflected in his work. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Aaditya brings a unique perspective to his writing, captivating readers with his engaging content.

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  • Aaditya has consistently delivered insightful analysis and captivating content across various platforms.
  • From in-depth match reports to thought-provoking opinion pieces, Aaditya's versatility shines through in his ability to tackle diverse topics

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Aaditya's journey as a writer and sports aficionado began at a young age when he discovered his passion for both pursuits. Throughout his academic and professional endeavors, Aaditya has honed his skills in content creation and sports analysis, immersing himself in the intricacies of the games he loves.

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