In many ways, this was my story growing up until I got really into soccer.

I started playing late, but loved the game, so clawed my way up through practicing in much of my spare time, whether down by the field or in the street in front of my house.

Soccer pre-season conditioning also was probably the hardest thing I’d ever done, and left me in the best shape of my life. This instilled the feedback loop of effort = reward that was missing due to academics coming so easily.

If you have a gifted child, find a sport they enjoy and encourage the hell out of it.