World-famous Navy SEAL turned fitness expert shares shocking video that’s supposed to be motivational – but many have branded it ‘child abuse’
A former Navy SEAL turned fitness expert has been criticized by social media users after he appeared to share a video of a child balancing a log on his shoulders while undergoing a physical training exercise.
David Goggins, 49, is known for his excellent endurance and fitness and wants to inspire others on his Instagram.
The American ultramarathoner and public speaker regularly uses his Instagram to highlight his exceptional physical condition and provide life updates.
Goggins has also trained top athletes, including MMA star Tony Ferguson, ahead of his fight against Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett at UFC296.
Ferguson had claimed that Goggins ‘damn near destroyed me’ MMAWeekly.comduring his preparation for the fight.
In 2006, he finished second at the 320-mile Ultraman Triathlon World Championships in Hawaii. He would later run the Moab 240 ultramarathon, placing second in the event, and has written two books about his life story while encouraging others to reach their full potential.
On Thursday, the American, who has 12.6 million followers on Instagram, shared on his Instagram a video of a child undergoing intensive training.
In the video, the child appeared to have his feet spread between two posts dug into the ground.
The child had sat between the posts and had a large piece of wood balanced over his shoulders.
Ex-Navy SEAL David Goggins has received criticism online after posting a video of a child undergoing an intense exercise regimen
The American ultramarathon runner and speaker regularly posts inspiring messages on his Instagram and encourages others to stay fit and healthy
Tony Ferguson teamed up with Goggins ahead of his fight with Paddy Pimblett
He was accompanied by what appeared to be his trainer, who appeared to be shouting words of encouragement to the young child.
Under the weight of the tree trunk, the child was seen grimacing and shouting back at the man as he balanced on the two poles.
Below the video, Goggins added a caption praising the child for their resilience.
“I love this damn kid!” Goggins began.
“While most of you won’t agree with the mental and physical training this kid is going through, what will come out on the other side will be a bastard you don’t want to fuck with!
“Any obstacle placed in front of this child, he will be able to navigate and overcome with ease!
‘This is the epitome of who will carry the boats and logs!
Goggins took to Instagram to praise the young child and praise the child for his resilience
“I would pick that young boy to be on my team, over 99% of the men in this world today! Stay hard!’
It appears Goggins intended the clip as a motivational post for many of his social media followers, but some fans remained divided in the comments.
“No, this is child abuse,” one person wrote. Another said: ‘I disagree David and I respect you. This is trauma, not building trust.”
“He’s too young for this kind of ‘training’,” another added.
Another said: ‘This is child abuse!!! WTF.’
‘This is bloody scandalous child abuse!!!’ wrote one Instagram user. ‘As a psychologist I can tell you that this is NOT okay. And it does NOT build resilience. This is completely unacceptable behavior from an adult towards a child.
‘This is terrible and it is equally terrible that you admire it, which only shows that you have not understood the trauma, nor the trauma that you yourself have experienced and that fuels your internal dialogue.
‘I don’t think you understand what children need if you applaud this. Nor how to create resilient children. Please don’t glorify this. It’s child abuse.’
But some hit out at Goggins on Instagram, claiming the video was “child abuse.”
Instagram user @richiehardcore added, “Yes no, we can have resilient sons and daughters without literally torturing our children. This is too much.’
Mail Sport has contacted Goggins for comment.
Others pushed back on comments claiming the video showed child abuse.
“LOVE IT,” one person wrote with two fire emojis. ‘STAY HARD. I am criticized for the way I educate my students. People think it’s child abuse, but the reality is that those people say that… that’s what’s wrong with today’s society and that they’re making children weak.”
One wrote: ‘Never give up,’ while an Instagram user wrote: ‘Unbreakable. Most people won’t understand it.’
Another Instagram user left a lengthy comment on the clip, writing, “As long as the kid has the ability to put the log down and get help with it if he asks, I think it’s fair game assuming he agreed to participate in the clip. this training.
However, others joined Goggins in praising the young child in the comments section
“Doing difficult things does not translate into abuse unless the individual, young or old, is coerced or maliciously manipulated into doing something they don’t want to do. According to translators, there does not appear to be any malicious intent or trauma here.
“Unless it is revealed in a longer feature film that the child is forced to perform this action, this appears to be a child testing his strength and endurance. Go, boy! Don’t forget to take a break every now and then.’