Review

Cameron Hanes is in the same class as David Goggins and Jocko Willink. A rare bread of human able to drive themselves to another level with disciple and consistency. They make daily training tough to summon suffering and the battle between body and mind; conquering pain brings them joy.

Cameron’s routine is a reminder that you can always do more. If you can master time, you can master anything. I subscribe more to Angela Duckworth’s ‘Grit’, than Cameron’s ‘Endure’- choose your own adventure.

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Key Takeaways

The 20% that gave me 80% of the value.

• Weakness is the inability to take action. Master the mind → force the body into action
• The goal is to end the day knowing you’ve done your best - and to do that day after day.
• He has a couple of mantras:
• Nobody cares, work harder
• Keep Hammering
• He runs a marathon a day, bow hunter and weight lifter, 40 hour a week job
• Everything is in service of getting better at bow hunting
• Greatness is easy to give up on. There’s countless excuses that keep you from living an extraordinary life.
• You need tenacity, focus and resilience
• You only have to win today. Don’t worry about tomorrow.
• Made friends with pain → as pain is there at all his meaningful challenges.
• The ability to suffer more is what’s going to separate you from others
• Embrace the struggle. Sweat and be miserable - embrace the pain
• Start with passion, and build from there. Find something you’re passionate about → then apply hard work, dedication and focus.
• You don’t need anyone to believe in you to become exceptional
• Small town thinking → only talking about what you’re going to do tomorrow
• Remove the obstacles and distractions and watch your dreams become a reality
• To build momentum you have to get started. You don’t need new equipment to get started. You just need to take the first step.
• If you’re not obsessed you’re going to be mediocre
• If you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way to make something happen
• Question: Has a man ever done it? If a man had done it before, we thought we could do it to.
• We wanted to find the limit of what was possible
• Find your edge. I go where others wont or can’t go, because it’s too far or too difficult. I limit the competition - I go to places where it’s almost impossible to reach
• Success is all about what I do, and what I don’t do.
• I don’t drink, fish, golf, play poker, go on vacation - this makes a lot of room
• The harder you push - the more people you leave behind
• Not taking a day off is my only edge. There are no rest days on my schedule . Everybody has an excuse. Never care what the excuse is.
• Do something everyday for a year. That’s how you build a work ethic.
• Try to make training as hard as possible → and you’ll go a long way toward succeeding
• The reps that really count are when I’m tired or exhausted.
• Do something special people can’t ignore or one up.
• Yesterday means nothing. Worry about tomorrow tomorrow
• Not talented → my secret is time → everything takes time
• Always look for a bigger tougher test
• During an ultramarathon - there was a stretch that was uphill, where everyone could see you. Made a point of doing that really quickly, so he looked unbeatable. He had to pretend he looked fine after that (no hands on hips, or head).
• Pain is temporary → quitting lasts forever
• Cry in training → laugh in battle
• What sets me apart is my ability to suffer
• I’d rather be dead than have unfulfilled potential
• People you spend time with → do they inspire you? They should inspire you!
• Follows other obsessed people, outliers, freaks, winners
• Mindset → To see if you can reach another level. The challenge is to keep up with them.
• They enjoy training through pain - because it makes them feel invincible.
• Carried the rock - turning a 15 minute run into a 2 hour challenge
• People asked why → he’d say trying to get tough
• I want to do what nobody else wants to do → that’s the only value I have
• Rock weighed 60 kg
• The best ability you can learn → is to not care what others think
• When Arnold went to the gym, everyone else worked harder (But nobody could keep up)
• To haters → why don’t you do something to change your life? Rather than pulling others into your misery?
• The more people who are following him → the more he doesn’t want to let people down → the harder he tries (mentioned knowing Joe Rogan was following online)
• Run everyday, if I’m sick, I just run less.
• Be obsessed or be average.
• Give more and work harder than others
• I endure → 5AM to 8PM everyday he gives his best
• Start early, train more, work hard, excel. Overtime you’ll create separation.
• You create a bond with people if you go through something with them. Sharing the moment is meaningful.

Deep Summary

Longer form notes, typically condensed, reworded and de-duplicated.

Forward

• Weakness → the inability to take action
• Weakness haunts us all
• The true art of a full life is to minimise the moments when your inner bitch wins the battle
• Master the mind → force the body into action
• Rare person who can end the day knowing they have done their best - and do that consistently day after day
• He is a master of the art of a maximised life (it is an art form)
• #KeepHammering

Nobody cares, work harder Cameron Hanes

• He runs a marathon a day, bow hunter and weight lifter, 40 hour a week job
• Physical work is about getting better at bow hunting. 10% is the average success rate - but Cameron has never left a hunt unsuccessful

Prologue Answering the Call

• Every epic adventure begins with a call
• I’ve always been attracted to the people who are the best at what they do
• Shit the bed on his first chance to hit a bull (missed by 7ft)
• Bowhunting - 10% success rate, really hard, he is at 100%
• This is a book about endurance
• Greatness is easy to give up on - there’s countless excuses that keep you from living an extraordinary life
• Keep Hammering = tenacity, focus and resilience. Pound away at the impossible.
• You only have to worry about today - win the day. Worry about tomorrow tomorrow

Chapter 1: life is suffering

• Ran from 5 years old - made him feel free
• Dad was a drunk - parents got divorced
• Had a paper round. Picked beans in a field. Tried to earn $10 a day for bmx stuff
• Why run? → what you learn about yourself
• Step dad took him and his brother hunting
• Eliminate all the excuses as to why you are the way you are. What are you going to do now?
• Had to do things for himself - push himself - there was nobody else to do that
• I’ve become a good friend to pain over the years, he’s been with me on all of my meaningful challenges
• What are you passionate about? You need a passion and a will to sacrifice.
• Ability to suffer more is what’s going to separate you from others
• Sweat and be miserable - embrace the pain
• I’ve come to long for and embrace the struggle - without it I’m not me

Chapter 2: Pushing above average

• Success comes with confidence
• Small town → no expectations
• Wanted to work hard, to be the best athlete he could be
• Tomorrow is not guaranteed
• Anything less than winning is failure
• You have to push yourself
• Bow Hunting - gave him something to focus on
• Preparation can help you take your passion to the next level
• Start with passion, and build from there
• You don’t need anyone to believe in you, and you can still become exceptional (be grateful for this)

Chapter 3: Diving into a deep home

• What if? → two haunting words
• Small town thinking → only talking about what you’re going to do tomorrow
• Bow hunting gave him the purpose → Just had to find the strength and purpose to pursue it
• When people decide bow hunting isn’t for them → I encourage them to stick at, be patient, stay in the hunt
• Failure is humbling.
• Remembers every detail of his earliest hunts. “The beast is dead, long live the mighty beast”
• Was still drinking too much. Crashed and rolled his truck whilst drunk.
• Working in the week and partying at the weekend.
• Being a loser isn’t cook, but being a loser dad really isn’t.
• Had to be an example.
• DIdn’t want to die in a DUI crash - Alcohol is poison.
• Alcohol wasn’t going to help him in any area of his life. He had to quit drinking.
• Ask yourself future What ifs?
• Don’t leave your family wondering about what your true potential could have been
• Alcohol, toxic people, lack of confidence
• Remove the obstacles and distractions and watch your dreams become a reality
• Dream bigger, achieve more
• To build momentum you have to get started. You don’t need new equipment to get started. You just need to take the first step.
• Find something you’re passionate about → then apply hard work, dedication and focus

Part 2 - Predator

If you’re not obsessed you’re going to be mediocre

Chapter 4: Strange and unexplored territory

• Train, hunt, provide and honour
• Likes going up into the mountain and coming back with an elk
• Something magical about the wild countryside
• If you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way to make something happen
• Question: Has a man ever done it? If a man had done it before, we thought we could do it to.
• We wanted to find the limit of what was possible
• Mountains were the great equaliser in life → your wealth doesn’t matter → you need to be in good shape
• Ran his first 100 mile race in 22 hours
• The fitter and stronger he got - the smaller the wilderness seemed, now it seems manageable
• I never feel stronger or more capable when running in the mountains
• What’s the biggest challenge you need to overcome to reach your goals?
• Find your edge. I go where others wont or can’t go, because it’s too far or too difficult
• I limit the competition - I go to places where it’s almost impossible to reach
• In the mountains - you’re just another human - in the mountains I call the shots
• Began a regiment to get an edge in the mountains. Run, lift weights, shoot my bow
• What’s your edge? What are you doing to keep it?

Chapter 5: Don’t let them outwork you

• Success is all about what I do, and what I don’t do.
• I don’t drink, fish, golf, play poker, go on vacation
• Couldn’t find anyone to go with him. After Roy moved to Alaska.
• Couldn’t rely on anyone but myself - went alone.
• Learnt more about myself on those solo hunts than at any other time
• It comes down to how bad do you want it
• The harder you push - the more people you leave behind
• Go alone - or don’t go at all.
• Life is a test. What was going to be my legacy?
• There’s never been a grand plan. Just doing what I can, day by day
• All I had to offer is hard work. I had some leadership opportunities.
• Could only go hunting at the weekend because of his job
• Risked his job for the passion - asked his supervisors had he not earned their trust by now? Could have more time to hunt if he made up the hours/ work?
• Don’t make excuses. Give it your all. Show up. Admit your mistakes.
• Mindset was us vs everyone else. Everyone was good at something.
• Makes more money from bow hunting than his job - doesn’t quit things - still works there
• He’s a worker - works really hard because he feels he doesn’t have any natural skills or talent
• Grind it out at training, grind it out at work.
• Not taking a day off is my only edge.
• Everybody has an excuse. Never care what the excuse is. It’s never valid. That’s my edge.
• There are no rest days on my schedule
• Decide to do everyday for a year. That’s how you build a work ethic.
• In the highlights you’re missing the blood, sweat and tears
• Doubts, and fears set in. The question becomes. Do you love hunting enough to endure?
• All rewards have to be earnt - get to work.
• What will you sacrifice?
• Show up → Work → Sacrifice → Achieve
• Easy does nothing for my spirit
• Try to make training as hard as possible → and you’ll go a long way toward succeeding
• The reps that really count are when I’m tired or exhausted.

Chapter 6: Obsessed or Average

• Get better and grow or throw in the towel
• Everybody needs feedback
• On better writing → What does it feel like to be there?
• Got an article into the Bow Hunter magazine
• What are you willing to sacrifice?
• Attitude → to go, to take a chance
• You don’t need anyone else to believe in your dream
• Decided to write his first book
• It would cost $50k to print 5k copies
• Decided to go ahead
• Borrowed money from everyone
• Sold them all, paid them all back
• Wrote a second book, had a publisher and that one blew up
• Wrote lots or articles. Got a regular column
• Feeling like an imposter made him work harder at what he does
• What is your dream? Mine is to be a bow hunter.
• Nobody cares → Work harder.
• You won the Super Bowl?. Nobody cares, work harder.
• Do something special people can’t ignore or one up.
• Yesterday means nothing. Worry about tomorrow tomorrow

Chapter 7 - Ramp it up

• Why keep running → Self satisfaction and achievement
• People who work the hardest and sacrifice the most → get the best results
• You have to put in consistent work
• First you must start.
• Not talented → my secret is time → everything takes time
• Always look for a bigger tougher test
• Bow hunting is all about preparation
• Share what you’re doing - don’t tell anyone what they should do
• During an ultramarathon - there was a stretch that was uphill, where everyone could see you. Made a point of doing that really quickly, so he looked unbeatable. He had to pretend he looked fine after that (no hands on hips, or head).
• Success finds those who prepare the most, work the hardest and are the strongest mentally

Chapter 8 - Believe to Achieve

• Believe it → Then achieve it
• Racing Lance Armstrong during a Marathon.
• Pain is temporary → quitting lasts forever
• Chased him down
• Ran together
• Beat him by 12 seconds
• Visualise success → expect it → anything is possible
• Cry in training → laugh in battle
• Lance Armstrong: Physical suffering → good for you → clears my mind. My job is to suffer.
• Nobody trains like me, I live for this jersey, nobody is taking it from me, this is fucking mine
• The best athletes are mutants → they are athletes
• What sets me apart is my ability to suffer

Chapter 9 - Train Hard, Hunt Easy

• 100m Run → It was one day - I can get through anything for a day
• Big Horn 100 (4th hardest in the world)
• Shouldn’t have been thinking about pace.
• Didn’t do it with pacers or friends
• Is this necessary → yes it is, I need to be out of my comfort zone
• You can’t fake your way through 100 miles.
• No matter how bad things are gong - smiling always helps
• Proved I’m tougher than I thought
• It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees
• 29 hours 20 mins → 100 miles
• Learnt a lot from the race
• Earn your breaks, hone your skills, develop your talent
• Life is all about endurance.
• Words can be fuel.
• I’d rather be dead than have unfulfilled potential

Chapter 10 - Last Load

• How is the world better with you in it?
• While he battled → We bonded (about talking to his dad when he was dying from cancer)
• Pain of losing his dad was worse than anything he’d experience racing
• Strength of character is more important than anything
• After he died → had to succeed, do everything in his honour

Part 3 - The Ultimate Predator

Chapter 11 - The Best Never Rest

• People you spend time with → do they inspire you? They should inspire you!
• Keep moving.
• Follows other obsessed people, outliers, freaks
• Obsessed with the winners
• Learn, experience, share, value, teach and build
• Goggins→ most of us stay within our limits
• We need fucking savages
• No time for mediocrity
• Courtney Ultra Runner → It’s all about the head, mentally override the day
• Sometimes your body says not this time (Even if you’re an outlier)
• Good is the enemy of great. They’re always working and learning.
• I run to put in work, I know I’m putting in work
• I love following great people
• Mindset → To see if you can reach another level. The challenge is to keep up with them.
• Don’t train to make decisions, train to win
• They enjoy training through pain - because it makes them feel invincible.
• If you do well - you just did what you’re supposed to do
• I want to out work everybody → hang out with outliers and train with freaks
• Who inspires you? How can you learn from them?
• There’s nothing nice about it.

Chapter 12 - Beast Mode

• All you need for a good workout is a mountain and a rock
• Carried the rock - turning a 15 minute run into a 2 hour challenge
• People asked why → he’d say trying to get tough
• I want to do what nobody else wants to do → that’s the only value I have
• Rock weighed 60 kg
• Beast mode → lift, run, eat, shoot (Every single day)
• There are no rest days
• The harder the workout the happier we are
• You have to be willing to stick to the habit no matter work
• If you’re not the hardest working person you know, you’re not working hard enough
• Running is therapeutic
• Reaching the summit is always a win
• Your body will respond to whatever you ask of it
• Mindset of a winner is unbeatable
• Manufacturing misery, help me not lose my head on a hunt
• Believe and you will achieve
• Know your worth.
• I don’t need anything. Happy with a shit house, shit car, normal good.
• My goal is to work so hard for everyone that’s paying me, that I’m the last person they would let go
• Get to work and do it with a smile → everyday is a gift.
• There is no blueprint → but there are 1000 wrong ways
• Focus on your strengths → his is that he puts in work everyday and won’t quit

Chapter 13 - Hating me won’t help you win

• Ask a lot of your body and it will give you a lot
• The best ability you can learn → is to not care what others think
• Arnold S → Everybody patties the weak, jealousy you have to learn
• When Arnold went to the gym, everyone else worked harder (But nobody could keep up)
• Learn to love the hate. Haters are a good problem to have.
• If I’ve done it, anyone can
• To haters → why don’t you do something to change your life? Rather than pulling others into your misery?
• The more people who are following him → the more he doesn’t want to let people down → the harder he tries (mentioned knowing Joe Rogan was following online)
• Feed off others hate

Chapter 14 - Fickle Winds of Fate

• You have to buy tags to hunt - some cost $100, some cost $70k
• Feels like an imposter, like he doesn’t belong.
• Strength and honour.
• Train, hunt, provide, honour.
• Doesn’t enjoy killing. Enjoys providing.
• Bad shot → had to tell the apache. Heart fell heavy.
• Went back and killed the bull the next day.
• Hunters have a respect for the animals that they pursue
• Death by hunter is about the best death wild animals are going to get
• Joe Rogan → there’s enough cake for everyone.

Chapter 15 - Legends Never Die

• The mountains never lie
• Best friend Roy → fallen 700ft → died
• Positive attitude.
• We spoke about the success stories
• If you love somebody, or value their friendship, tell them

Chapter 16 - The Invincible Imposter

• I’m invincible - get up at 4:45AM - out the door for a run before 5AM
• Getting up in the 4’s sounds better than the 5’s
• Greater the sacrifice, greater the reward
• Run everyday, if I’m sick, I just run less.
• The more training the more confidence in the mountains
• Tomorrow is guaranteed, do the best you can with today.
• Be obsessed or be average.
• Give more and work harder than others
• Taught his boys how to be tough. Should have told them that average is shit.
• I endure → 5AM to 8PM everyday he gives his best
• What dream do you hold, that you’re not going to give up on?
• Start early, train more, work hard, excel. Overtime you’ll create separation.

Epilogue: Relentless

• You create a bond with people if you go through something with them. Sharing the moment is meaningful.
• Work hard, do it right, and you’ll earn those just rewards
• The journey is everything. You have to start.
• The journey is the reward - whatever path you choose - own it

Afterword

• Goggins → Cameron stands out amount all the savages
• Says keep hammering to everyone that passes him
• He forces you to look at yourself. Leaves by example.
• I used to think I was out here alone - now I know there’s one other.
• We’re both trying to break the other one
• He spot checked me → I’m coming to town, do you want to go for a run?
• The more I tried to break him, the better he started to run.