David Goggins grew up in a challenging environment, facing numerous hardships during his childhood. Born in 1975 in Buffalo, New York, he experienced extreme poverty, racism, and a troubled home life. His father was abusive, and David, along with his mother, had to endure a constant atmosphere of fear and violence. In addition to the abuse, Goggins faced racial discrimination at school and in his community, which made him feel isolated and insecure. He struggled academically due to a learning disability, which further impacted his self-esteem. These early life challenges shaped Goggins' perspective, fostering a sense of resilience and determination. He realized early on that no one was going to save him and that he had to overcome his circumstances through sheer will and hard work. These experiences laid the foundation for his relentless drive later in life.