Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Trunnis Jr Goggins (also publishes as Trunnis Goggins II / Dr. Trunnis Goggins II) |
| Known For | Older brother of David Goggins; author, podcaster, consultant, educator |
| Signature Work | The 4 P’s of You (2024) |
| Podcast | The 4 P’s of You |
| Education | Public bios list: PhD in Public Policy & Administration (2016), MBA, BBA |
| Military Service | Public bios state U.S. Navy veteran; multiple achievement medals |
| Hometown Roots | Buffalo, New York (family ties to Skateland) |
| Family | Large multi-generational family; father: Trunnis Goggins (Sr., d. 2013); mother: Jackie; brother: David Goggins; daughter: Kayla Noel Goggins (1997–2015) |
| Notability | Writing, speaking on grief and personal development via 4 P’s framework |
| Current Focus | Author, podcast host, business/education consultant |
Origins and Family Ties
Every family story is a tapestry of names, places, and turning points. Trunnis Jr Goggins (who also publishes as Trunnis Goggins II) grew up amid the hum of Buffalo’s east side, where his father, Trunnis Goggins Sr., operated Skateland. The rink was more than a business; it was a beacon for a neighborhood and a backdrop for the formative chapters of the Goggins family. His mother, Jackie, anchors the family lineage remembered in profiles and memoirs, and his younger brother, David Goggins, would become a globally recognized endurance athlete and motivational author.
The family is large and deeply rooted, stretching across generations with siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews who populate a long roster. Names frequently associated with the family include Teresa (Terasa McCarthy Gipson), Salina (Lebris), Anita Goggins, and Marina (David) White. Like many American families, the Goggins story spans different cities, changing circumstances, and resilient returns.
Buffalo Roots and Skateland’s Echoes
To understand Trunnis Jr, it helps to picture Skateland’s polished wood floor and the rhythm of weekend crowds—an entrepreneurial hub run by his father for years. The rink’s pulse was both livelihood and legacy. When Trunnis Sr. died on November 5, 2013, at age 79, it marked a formal closing of a chapter in Buffalo’s community history and an intimate turning point for the Goggins children, including Trunnis Jr and David.
These Buffalo years gave context to grit—early lessons in work, family dynamics, and the balance between personal ambition and family responsibility. The echoes of that time still reverberate through Trunnis Jr’s work, especially his advocacy for purpose-driven planning and persistence.
Education, Service, and Early Career
Public bios describe a path through higher education: a PhD in Public Policy & Administration (noted in 2016), an MBA, and a BBA. Those roles often pair with visiting lectures and educator engagements, crossing business, policy, and personal development. His bios also present him as a U.S. Navy veteran, crediting him with multiple Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medals—part of the narrative he brings to conversations about service, leadership, and transition.
What stands out, beyond titles, is the integrated lens he applies: academic structure meeting the hard-won lessons of family, loss, and rebuilding.
Books, Podcast, and the 4 P’s Framework
Trunnis Jr’s signature message is encapsulated in the book The 4 P’s of You, published in 2024. The framework—Purpose, Passion, Planning, Persistence—reads like a compass, simple enough to remember yet sturdy enough to carry into daily decisions. Purpose clarifies direction. Passion fuels motion. Planning sets the map. Persistence keeps you moving when the road gets rough.
He extends the framework through The 4 P’s of You podcast, drawing stories and insights from guests while exploring practical strategies for growth. Whether discussing entrepreneurship, education, or everyday resilience, the 4 P’s serve as a recurring motif, a set of pillars designed for real-world application.
Grief, Fatherhood, and Community Voice
Grief reshapes the contours of any life, and for Trunnis Jr, one of the sharpest edges came in June 2015. His daughter, Kayla Noel Goggins, was killed at age 18 in Indianapolis—a loss he has addressed openly in interviews and discussions. He often speaks as a father who learned to carry pain without letting it define the future, giving voice to tough truths and practical tools for healing.
Public bios note him as the father of nine children (one deceased) and a grandfather of three. He frequently connects fatherhood to the 4 P’s, emphasizing how planning and persistence play out at home as much as in business. In that way, his platform becomes a bridge: a way to talk about love, loss, and the everyday choices that form a life.
Selected Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1970s–1980s | Childhood years tied to Buffalo; Skateland operated by father, Trunnis Sr. |
| Nov 5, 2013 | Death of Trunnis Goggins Sr. at age 79; family legacy in Buffalo honored. |
| Jun 19, 2015 | Death of daughter Kayla Noel Goggins, age 18, in Indianapolis. |
| 2016 | Public bios note completion of PhD in Public Policy & Administration. |
| 2024 | Publication of The 4 P’s of You; expansion of podcast and speaking work. |
| 2024–2025 | Multiple interviews and episodes discussing grief, education, and community impact. |
Notable Family Roster
| Name | Relation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trunnis Goggins Sr. (d. 2013) | Father | Skateland owner in Buffalo; died at 79 |
| Jackie (“Jacky”) | Mother | Family matriarch mentioned across profiles |
| Trunnis Jr Goggins (Trunnis Goggins II) | Subject | Author, podcaster, consultant, educator |
| David Goggins (b. 1975) | Brother | Endurance athlete, Navy SEAL, author |
| Teresa (Terasa McCarthy Gipson) | Sibling | Listed among the Goggins children |
| Salina (Lebris) | Sibling | Part of extended family roster |
| Anita Goggins | Sibling | Part of extended family roster |
| Marina (David) White | Sibling | Part of extended family roster |
| Kayla Noel Goggins (1997–2015) | Daughter | Passed at age 18 |
The 4 P’s at Work: A Snapshot
| Pillar | Description | Everyday Example |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Your north star—define what matters most | Clarify a 12-month personal mission |
| Passion | Emotional energy that sustains effort | Align projects with values to boost momentum |
| Planning | Strategy, milestones, and accountability | Use weekly sprints and monthly reviews |
| Persistence | Consistent action despite setbacks | Keep moving when results are slow or uneven |
FAQ
Who is Trunnis Jr Goggins?
He is an author, podcaster, consultant, and educator who publishes as Trunnis Goggins II.
Is Trunnis Jr related to David Goggins?
Yes, he is David Goggins’ older brother.
What is The 4 P’s of You?
It’s a personal-development framework and a 2024 book centered on Purpose, Passion, Planning, and Persistence.
Did Trunnis Jr serve in the military?
His public bios state that he is a U.S. Navy veteran with multiple achievement medals.
Does he hold a PhD?
His bios list a PhD in Public Policy & Administration, noted in 2016.
Where did the family grow up?
Their roots are in Buffalo, New York, with strong ties to the Skateland roller rink.
Who are his parents?
His father was Trunnis Goggins Sr., and his mother is Jackie.
What happened to his father?
Trunnis Sr. died on November 5, 2013, at age 79.
What happened to Kayla Noel Goggins?
Kayla, his daughter, died in June 2015 at age 18.
What does his podcast cover?
The 4 P’s of You explores personal growth, planning, and resilience through guest conversations and practical insights.
