The phrase "Who's gonna carry the boats?" originates from Navy SEAL Hell Week training, where recruits must carry heavy inflatable boats—each weighing over 200 pounds—across difficult terrain for hours, often with little sleep and extreme exhaustion
. As teammates drop out, the remaining members face an increasingly heavier burden, both physically and mentally. David Goggins, a former Navy SEAL and motivational figure, would yell "Who's gonna carry the boats?" to challenge his team to push through the pain and fatigue, inspiring them to keep going and not quit
. The phrase symbolizes taking responsibility for difficult tasks that others might abandon. It serves as a metaphor for leadership and mental toughness—asking who will step up and bear the burden when things get tough. Goggins himself led by example, showing strength and resilience to motivate others
. The question is a call to action: the only right answer is "I will. Who's with me?"
. In summary, "Who's gonna carry the boats?" is a motivational challenge from Navy SEAL training popularized by David Goggins, encouraging perseverance, teamwork, and leadership under extreme adversity