Effective training, following a well-constructed plan and ignoring all the potential distractions is what separates the best athletes from the rest.
Of course, it's possible to make all kinds of excuses, pointing to the advantages that someone else has - genetics, money, time or even luck - but when it comes down to it, none of these things matter, if you're not willing to put in the consistent effort that it takes to get the result you're after.
I think of training as a blue-collar endeavour. It doesn't matter how much you know. It doesn't matter who you know. There is no way to game the system and get a result regardless.
The only thing that matters is that you turn up and do the work.
It's often boring. It's often repetitive. It's often not very inspiring. You often see no results for a long time.
But the only way you get results is by choosing an effective training plan and executing it consistently.
We live in a world full of hacks. It's a place where it's possible to buy almost everything. There are people who will claim that it's possible to do amazing things on the fitness front with as little as "7 minutes a day" as long as you pay them a lot of money.
We all know the old adage: "If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is too good to be true."
CONSISTENT HARD WORK IS THE ONLY "HACK" THAT IS ACTUALLY EFFECTIVE.
Along with consistent hard work, it's important to remember that success in any physical endeavour seldom consists only of physical aspects.
If your training is going to be as effective as it can be, your training plan has to take into account the technique, tactical and mental aspects of the sport you're taking part in.
Any athlete who works with me will have a plan that includes sessions that address physiology, technique, tactics and psychology.