This is a GREAT post. I agree with a lot of the commentators saying it takes a lot focus, determination, and sheer will to be great. There are some people born with "tools" others do not have. For example I am 5'10 and a buck 50 weight with a weak arm. It is highly unlikely I could ever be a professional football player unless I trained to kick. Some guys are born to be 6'6 260 pounds. They have an advantage but you have to have the will.
JJ Watt the star defensive lineman for Texans and widely considered one of the best players in football was a Tight End in college. He was undersized. But he worked his ASS to get to where he is.
I also unlikely would be an NBA player for my size. I understand you have the rare Spud Webb's of the world and NBA all star Isaiah Thomas of the Celtics is 5'9. But I do not have the athleticism to run as fast and jump as high. Spud Webb was RIDICULOUS with those hops.
Anyhow great post. Really makes you think what you can accomplish if you really believe you can do it and go ALL IN.
So train to kick :-)
Bet you a cent to a dollar he was not born being able to jump that high. He probably thought "I wanna play in the NBA, I can't make myself taller, but I can learn to jump higher"
:-)
The trick is, not to follow the script; always leave off that t from the end of can't, and turn it to can.
Cg
I love this post and I love topics that make me think. But if I look at historic facts. When was the last time you saw a 5'6 to 5'9 white, European or Asian in the NBA with superior vertical leap winning slam dunk contests?
I LOVE watching the Olympics. Usain Bolt is the greatest runner of all time. When was the last time you saw a white, European, or Asian person win the 100, the 200 or even place in the top 3?
Do you think the majority of the planet just does not think they can compete or do it? Or could there be genetic advantage in regards to athleticism?
I agree to a point that will and determination can make a person a great. But if someone is born with a genetic physical advantage that same will and determination will trump that of the person who was born with less.
Who knows for sure. But great topic of discussion.
Hey Eric!
You raise some very interesting points, and it's hard to argue about genetic advantages, they are very real. I think what I was trying to get at was that even if someone is genetically predisposed to do an event like 100m, that doesn't mean that without the work they will be a champion.
So you can take two people who are both so-called natural athletes, they are both great in high school, however one progresses while the other does not. One accepts that they are a natural, the other does not.
I guess that was my point, however I will address this more fully in the follow up, which I'm about to start writing right this second! :-)
Thanks
Cg
Looking forward to your post. I LOVE well thought out issues. And its fun to see what other people think. I LOVE reading other peoples opinions. There is NO right or wrong, Just great perspective. Which I value. I really like reading other peoples thoughts on a subject. I respect it and sometimes changes my opinion, GREAT post.