Wes P
Level 4 Valued Member
Here is a question I posed to one of our brothers on another thread...
I think it is generally accepted that genetics play a role in physical attributes. If you want to be great... pick great parents.
Are things like motivation, willpower, or whatever we choose to call it genetically determined?
Genetics is the dirty word of the sports and fitness world. Because everyone wants to believe in the Rocky-esque "eye of the tiger" where you can just work and train harder than everyone else and be a champion.
The truth is champions are born, not trained. The top level of every (strength or power based, anyway) sport and endeavor is filled with the top .1% of 1%. Genetic outliers. Freaks. We all know em. I went to high school with a guy who deadlifted 405, double overhand with no warmup the 1st time he ever touched a weight. I know another who power cleaned over 400 as a junior in high school before he moved on to be a D1 thrower.
More than 99% of people on Earth no matter how hard they train, how well they eat or how many drugs they take will never be champions.
I firmly believe drive is developed in early life and not genetically gifted, however.
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