The Opinion of a Jock-Nerd Hybrid

As a rare nerd-jock hybrid, I believe I have an interesting perspective on the matter. I have suffered social ridicule for always having the right answer, and I’ve bled and toiled on a track, basketball court, and on both lacrosse and soccer fields. I’ve reaped the benefits of good grades, and felt the confidence of being physically fit. Clearly, I know first hand the strengths and weaknesses of both sides.

A jock is a person specifically dedicated to, and well suited for the world of sports. A nerd is a person who is dedicated to intellectual pursuits and mental development. In unusual cases like mine, the two apparent opposites are manifested in one individual. Some may argue that I am not really a jock since I’m an intellectual, and some may argue I’m not really intellectual because I enjoy developing my body. So what does this have to do with who is more successful, one may ask?

The answer of course, is that a true jock is far less successful in life than a nerd. The reason is that a true jock is regulated to the realm of sports, and I’m sure every child who once had a dream of being a professional athlete fall through is aware of this low success rate. For nerds, however, the world is their playground. Their area of expertise is as expansive as the mind itself and thus, has a far higher probability of success.

Now, what about the apparent jock CEOs that seem to be everywhere? Well, the answer of course is that they’re not true jocks. To acquire such positions of power, a person can’t just slam dunk, run a 4.2 forty yard dash, or cause cheerleaders to swoon with a simple smile. It takes effective organization skills, deep analytical thought, and a thorough understanding of the inner workings of that particular company to succeed. Tom Brady is a great quarterback for example, but that has nothing to do with running a company. Yes, analogies can be drawn between great athletes and great employers, but they are not the same.

Perhaps some CEOs may be hybrids like myself, but in reality, no athletic ability can compare to the sheer power of the mind. No devilish good looks can regularly produce substantial profits. No amount of muscle, aside from brain matter, can lift a company to new heights. No firm handshake can instill as much confidence in a consumer as a firm understanding of the product and its market.

In the end, jocks may rule high school, but nerds rule the world.