Embracing Hard Work and Perseverance People often say, “He’s a natural,” when they see athletes perform with such ease it appears effortless, as if talent alone drives them. I used to wonder if this would be my story, too. Throughout my childhood, I tried nearly every sport—T-ball, swimming, soccer, wrestling, track, and football. My dad signed my brother and me up for all of them, often without any prior experience. My older brother seemed to thrive instantly in every sport, quickly becoming a starter and picking up plays by simply watching. For him, athleticism came naturally. For me, however, it wasn’t that simple. While my brother could watch a play once and execute it perfectly, I had to see it, practice it, and repeat it multiple times. My extra weight didn’t help either. In grade school, while my brother was lean and fit, I was heavier. Every year, back-to-school shopping was a painful reminder, as I had to choose clothes in “husky” sizes rather than the slimmer fit jeans I want