It’s funny how we praise people for being “naturally tough” or resilient, as if it’s something they were just born with. But when you look at endurance whether it’s running, cycling, or even grinding through a tough project it’s clearly a skill built over time. I’ve seen folks in my own life go from struggling with a 5K to finishing marathons, all through consistent training. So why do we still romanticize the idea of innate toughness?
Is it just a storytelling thing? Like in fantasy novels, where the hero’s strength is destiny rather than hard work? Or maybe it’s easier to believe some people are “just built different” than to admit we could push ourselves further. Curious if others have thoughts on this especially from a fitness perspective. Does framing toughness as innate hold us back?