Retired U.S. Navy SEAL David Goggins is revered for his work as an endurance athlete and motivational speaker, and his athletic achievements have earned him a place in the International Sports Hall of Fame. While fans and athletes are motivated by Goggins, the internet superstar has shaped his mindset by studying Michael Jordan, with whom he shares his birthday.
On the Warrior State of Mind podcast He revealed that the Bulls superstar’s work ethic combined with his incredible mentality drove him to handle difficult situations. He noted that Jordan paired his talent with relentless training and impeccable confidence to become one of the best, if not the best, player of all time.
Goggins claimed he wasn’t as talented as Jordan, but still took inspiration from the six-time NBA champion. He said:
“You go back to Michael Jordan, we’re both on February 17th… courage, character, commitment, discipline. These are things that any human being can develop on their own, you don’t need talent, you need discipline. I said I have that, so I started to gravitate more towards the person who had something for everyone and went way beyond that.”
Goggin added that talent alone is not enough and without an obsessive mindset like Jordan’s, it would be impossible to achieve as much success as he did.
Michael Jordan was a tireless worker
The Bulls icon’s rivals and teammates alike were impressed by his work ethic. He always put in a lot of effort in practice and took it even more seriously than the actual games. This habit reached its peak when Jordan entered the NBA at the age of 22.
Eugene Banks, who was his teammate for two years, revealed that the team’s experienced players would give the young guard a hard time during practice. But he took the beating without complaint and humiliated his teammates with his impeccable skills. During an appearance at Ear influence Podcast in 2020, Banks explained,
“He loved training, he would go at you in training. We took him out, we physically beat him up and he took it.”
Jordan’s mental toughness helped him have one of the best careers in NBA history. His attitude and work ethic took on a life of their own and became a role model for players like Kobe Bryant and athletes like Goggins.
