You don't want to read anything else written above, as it takes your argument and throws it to the toilet.

But hey, believe what you want to believe. That is your right. Just don't waste your time trying to bring down someone else who works harder than you and refuses to give up...

Believe it or not, there are plenty who fall into this category. I've been fortunate to work with many in this category, and it has been great to see them fighting on national television. It's a good thing you didn't get in their ear first. Perhaps they would have given up.

Ross

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Wait, isn't ChuckW the guy that said that 96% of us could "Pull all day long and never achieve a 500lb deadlift"? This defeatism is kind of sad.

I work as a manager in a big company. I train grapplers. I train other athletes. I train myself.

I have seen many examples when people with not so good genetics (mentally or physically) have had better success than more gifted ones, becuase of the mentality "to work hard and never give up".

I believe in this to 100%. It is my life-philosphy. It is what I tell my children.

So I think the formula for succeed in anything is simple but hard:

Hard work and never give up

And that mentality you can learn from combat sports and from this site.

There are three main factors that come to mind.


1. Genetics
2. Socioeconomic status (how much $ your family has)
3. Hard work.


Of those three, Hard work is the only one you have complete control over.

Life is not fair

If you have poor genetics, theres nothing you can do to make them better.
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Since hard work is the only thing you have control over, you should spend all your time/effort on hard work.

Hard work isn't what most people will have you believe though. It doesn't simply mean training you ass off.

IMO hard work means analyzing the whole situation. Even though you cant control your genetics and socioeconomic status, you can do things to help out the situation.

1. Know your genetics--- Figure out what type of genetics you have. Are you all fast twitch muscles? Or are you more endurance based? What are your strengths, what are your weaknesses?

For me, i have found that i have a fast metabolism and can not easily pile on loads of muscle. Also, i have found that for me, low reps, high weight, and powerlifting movements benefit me best.

2. Some sports require that you be upper class. If you want to play polo or tennis, your gonna have a really hard time if you dont have money.
Since this is a fighting forum, this really isn't a problem, although more money means you have more resources to help you succeed.


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It all depends on the sport though. For bodybuilding and powerlifting, genetics is probably more important, than a highly skill based sport like soccer or baseball.

So basically skills are not genetic, so genetics dont play a major role on these sports, but its easiest to learn skills when your young, so if your trying to start a sport in high school or college, its almost like you have a genetic disadvantage.

Strength and size is highly controlled by genetics, and thus if you have really "poor" genetics, you probably wont succeed at sports where there is a low skill component and high strength component.

Fighting has a good mix of strength/conditioning and skill.

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A lot of people make the argument that genetics isn't a limiting factor, becaues most people never reach their genetic potential, but I feel this thought is flawed. They never reach their genetic potential, because their genetics are so poor. A young person with good genetics for strength/size is likely to recognize this when young, and is more likely to go into sports where this is an advantage.

Whereas a person recognizing poor genetics when younger will likely avoid sports where they will have a disadvantage.


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Take home point ; You cant change genetics. All you can do is work hard and smart.

Read this VERY closely

1. The genetic argument is GROSSLY over-rated. Those who argue it so fiercely are trying to validate their own failure. It is easier than admitting that someone else put in more work and better work.

2. Good coaching is worth more than gold. You don't learn sports on your own. There is a reason why some coaches continue to win. They know how to develop athletes. You don't coach yourself.

3. Hard work is a vague phrase. Many have much different interpretations of the word. I've put myself to hell and back, and continue to visit. I push myself beyond pain, and then some more. I see so many athletes who think they work hard, who then have a complete change of heart when they start to train with us.

4. Sure, there are some genetic freaks, but MOST athletes are in a very close range. The difference usually boils down to what the individual is made of in terms of his desire to improve, his willingness to continue working through pain and adversary, etc. Good coaching must also be mentioned again.

5. Even those events where genetics are more prevalent (Ex. the 7 foot basketball player) often have positions where genetics are less important. Think of the b-ball player who can nail down 3-pointers all night long. Usually, this is the same guy who was once a kid practicing his shot ALL day and night on the playground. It wasn't genetic that he busted his ass harder than everyone else.

6. Those who fail should spend more time improving themselves, rather than trying to convince others that they can't make it. I know some world champion fighters who were told they didn't have what it took to fight in the amateurs!!! These are CHAMPIONS who would have given up and never turned pro. Their success isn't about genetics.

7. To the stubborn genetic haters, go read through the prior posts. This topic has been beaten down. There is no need to keep beating the dead horse. If you've given up on yourself, take your negative attitude somewhere else. We don't have time for it.

8. I'm closing this thread. There is nothing else to add. Once again, read through the prior posts if you want more information regarding the topic.

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