Never Enough

A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility, and Meaning

By: Mike Hayes

Narrated by: Mike Hayes

This program is read by the author.

In Never Enough, Mike Hayes - former Commander of SEAL Team TWO - helps listeners apply high-stakes lessons about excellence, agility, and meaning across their personal and professional lives.

Mike Hayes has lived a lifetime of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. He has been held at gunpoint and threatened with execution. He’s jumped out of a building rigged to explode, helped amputate a teammate’s leg, and made countless split-second life-and-death decisions. He’s written countless emails to his family, telling them how much he loves them, just in case those were the last words of his they’d ever read. Outside of the SEALs, he’s run meetings in the White House Situation Room, negotiated international arms treaties, and developed high-impact corporate strategies.

Over his many years of leadership, he has always strived to be better, to contribute more, and to put others first. That’s what makes him an effective leader, and it’s the quality that he’s identified in all of the great leaders he’s encountered. That continual striving to lift those around him has filled Mike’s life with meaning and purpose, has made him secure in the knowledge that he brings his best to everything he does, and has made him someone others can rely on.

In Never Enough, Mike Hayes recounts dramatic stories and offers battle- and boardroom-tested advice that will motivate listeners to do work of value, live lives of purpose, and stretch themselves to reach their highest potential.

A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books

©2021 Mike Hayes (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“I was inspired by Never Enough and Mike Hayes’s determination to constantly push himself to achieve excellence. It’s an important lesson brought to life by his unique combination of experiences as a decorated Navy SEAL commander, a senior White House official, and successful business executive. Mike writes with humility, candor, and a sharp sense of humor; this is a must read for anyone hoping to learn how to lead through adversity and bring out the best in themselves and their teams.” (David McCormick, CEO of Bridgewater Associates)

"Never Enough is the ultimate playbook for leading a winning team, whether in a boardroom or on the field. Mike Hayes's leadership style was forged on the frontlines as a Navy SEAL, but the lessons that he's distilled in his book could be applied to every person - players, coaches, and beyond - I work with on a daily basis." (Kirk Ferentz, head football coach, University of Iowa)

"Being an entrepreneur takes guts, grit, and the willingness to take a risk - but it's nothing like the risks Mike Hayes has taken during his extraordinary life. Whether you're building a business or building a life, Never Enough is an incredible manual for getting the best out of yourself, your team, and your community. Just like Mike is a one-of-a-kind achiever, his book is a one-of-a-kind must-read." (Neil Blumenthal, CEO of Warby Parker)

"In business, it's critical to think strategically, move quickly, and be ready to pivot at any moment - in other words, you have to think like a SEAL. In Never Enough, Mike Hayes applies the lessons he's learned as a SEAL to the business world. It's essential reading for anyone looking to reach the next level." (Steve Case, former CEO and chairman of AOL)

Excellent

Excellent and moving book with applicable points that apply to anyone in any field. The author is the narrator which is almost always a plus. Enjoy!

Excellent, agile, and meaningful

I'm inspired by this man's service, amazed at his life, motivated by his stories, and really really impressed at his ability to narrate his own book. What an accomplishment. I suspect that I will read (listen) to parts of the book many times over. So much to be empowered by and reflect on. Kudos Mr. Hayes on a great book.

Vulnerable and somehow Relatable. Amazing!

Hi Mike, thanks for sharing these stories. I can imagine it was challenging to bring this to life. The authenticity shines through and the stories are so relatable. Its such a pleasure to learn of you, and your experiences and perspectives. And it’s teachings.
Thanks,
Ryan

Words to live by

A great read that highlights, with story the important lessons of the battlefield, personal and team trials. Mike relates his experiences to
everyday life no matter your occupation.

A must read.

Michael

Words to live by

A motivational and inspirational book in nicely written and presented words. There are many lessons to be learned from this book but for me the most important is that through service to others our life gains meaning and purpose.
Read/listen to the book, hear carefully what Mike Hayes has to say, and then pass it on to someone else you care about so that they may be inspired.

Excellent book on leadership and striving for better

A really excellent book. Mike Hayes does a great job on narrating a life lead toward public/military service and striving to provide the best performance and leadership he possibly can.

Many interesting stories and examples drawn from his life in the SEAL teams as well as while working as a White House fellow. While the stories are exciting to read and the lessons learned are easy to understand, they do center around jobs that have finite responsibilities. His work was intensity and life altering decisions he made absolutely required the highest level of moral and values, so these stories don’t always translate into the average persons life. But should.

This book was well crafted, well thought out, and identified exactly what the author intended.

This book has forever changed my life…

This book hit home and has impacted me in the most positive and passionate way possible. I typically give it 100% each and every day of my life, but shortly after reading Never Enough, I needed to bring it harder in life. #1, I’m thankful to be alive and I thank God and pray every morning. #2, 110% dedication to My Team, Teammate, and Self in that order. #3, Execution, Persistence, Integrity and Optimism continuously echo the foundation of Never Enough mindset that I’ve now established in my life. But more importantly, it’s never too late to change and bring out the best inside you. Thanks Mike for taking the time to share your stories. I’m forever grateful and forever changed. Never Enough.

How to be HEROIC

First, thank you Mr. Hayes for all your sacrifices, leadership, and service so we can enjoy our freedom!

Your beautifully written stories moved me and inspires me to do more every day. You have written a modern day guide on how to be HEROIC in all facets of life. Well done! It should be required reading in high school. Our students need to learn these lessons more than ever.

I have a 7-year-old daughter and I will certainly pass down your lessons and help her be HEROIC like you, your daughter, and all the heroes portrayed in your book.

Thank you Sir!

Inspiring

All I can say is, I wish I had this kind of commander!
This book tells you the reality of life; we all have tough days. It’s up to you to get up and keep going! Make you want to do things right, to work on leaving a legacy for your family. Living with honor and dedication!

Powerful and important life lessons

Incredible storytelling from Mr. Hayes. He skillfully interweaves his experiences as a Navy Seal Commander with values and attitudes that will allow people to succeed in whatever venture they choose. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to improve themselves, find meaning in their life, or just hear about the life of an incredibly accomplished American.