The Next Layer: Can Grit Be Grown?
Now that we’ve explored the meaning of grit, we’re left with more questions than answers:
How much of an individual’s grit is nature versus nurture, and can it be developed like any other skill?
What types of activities best cultivate it? And perhaps most importantly, is grit universal?
Does the grit we build in the gym or on the field translate to the classroom or the workplace – or vice versa?
Inside Out: Passion as the Foundation
Angela Duckworth approaches these questions from two angles: inside out and outside in.
From the inside out, she makes a compelling case for passion as the foundation of perseverance. Without passion, grit can’t sustain itself.
I’ll admit that I’ve wandered from my passion for sports performance and fitness more than once, only to find myself drawn back in.
To paraphrase, in my best Al Pacino voice: “Just when I think I’m out, it pulls me back in.”
Yes, I spent a couple of years dabbling in real estate. And while real estate investing still interests me, it doesn’t light a fire the way training does. Bring me a kid with D1 potential – held back by poor movement mechanics and stuck in a chronic injury cycle – and I’m instantly locked in. That’s my zone.
- I’ve lived it, so it’s easy to relate and connect.
- The ripple effect of the lessons learned in a single training phase can be life-changing.
- And after years of study, practice, and mentorship, I’ve earned the right to pass that knowledge forward.
That’s the inside out approach: finding what fuels you, then pouring your energy into it consistently over time.
Outside In: Building Grit Through Structure and Support
From the outside in, Duckworth highlights the power of demanding yet supportive environments.
“Parenting,” as she points out, is derived from Latin meaning to bring forth.
If our goal is to bring forth grit in our children, students, athletes, or employees, then the key is to hold high standards while helping them understand why those standards exist.
That might mean extra work, uncomfortable rules, or delayed gratification. But, when those challenges are paired with support and explanation, they become tools for growth rather than punishment.
Enter the Extracurriculars
So how does grit cross disciplines?
Duckworth’s research, including her “Grit Grid,” suggests that requiring students to take on a challenging extracurricular activity – especially one they choose – has a strong likelihood of helping them develop grit that carries into other areas of life.
That’s where sports, arts, and creative pursuits become proving grounds for character. Each rep, routine, or rehearsal is a micro-lesson in resilience.
A Teammate’s Take: Matt Casey on Nature vs. Nurture
I interviewed Matt Casey on this topic, one of my former teammates from the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse. We were two of the few players that came from division 3 programs in a league primarily composed of division 1 all americans.
Here’s Matt: a versatile, athletic two-way midfielder with a basketball/football background; and your beloved author: a 35 year rookie and lifelong gym rat, who grew up playing soccer and hockey, and refused to let two different head coaches cut him from the roster that season. We both picked up the game in high school, which is several years later than the majority of our guys at the pro level. We couldn’t be more different as players stylistically, yet we shared one unmistakeable quality: grit.
When I broached the topic of whether it could be developed, Matt seemed vehemently opposed to the idea based on his experience playing and coaching for so many years. We both have sons a year apart from each other in high school, and we both have coached hundreds of kids beyond our own personal litmus tests. I presented some of my own thoughts as well as Duckworth’s research which seemed to, at the very least, open him up to the possibility of cultivating grit. Then, Matt responded with an intriguing quote:
“It’s harder for a gritty athlete to lose it than it is for an athlete without grit to develop it.”
Hard to argue with that. Grit shouldn’t be easy to build—it’s forged through time, consistency, and persistence in the face of adversity.
The Question That Remains
Matt’s point leaves us with an even more important question:
If grit can fade, what does it take to keep it alive over the long term?
That’s what we’ll explore next in Part 3: Sustaining the Edge.
Let’s Move the Needle
If you’re an athlete, parent, or coach looking to help your team or your child develop grit the right way—brick by brick—book a free call with me.
We’ll discuss simple steps toward building consistency, resilience, and balance in your daily routine to help you gain a long-term performance advantage.
Move The Needle 
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