The Rise of the Nerd Athlete

Unlike traditional athletes, every dollar you make will be because of your brain.

I'm a gigantic sports fan. I love all of the Seattle sports teams, the University of Washington, and Tottenham Hotspur, so I'm well-versed in losing and profound disappointment. When a player makes a mistake, I'm quick to call it "bone-headed" or to scream "what were you thinking?!"

But these profanity-laced outbursts don't appreciate the amazing talent these players have, and the sacrifices they made to get to the top. Pure talent isn't sufficient. The product on the field, even when they're losing, represents decades of dedication, practice, and coaches yelling at them. Countless early mornings to train. Saying no to their friends when they wanted to go out so they could rest. Keeping on a nutrition plan, hours studying plays and their opponents, just to get a bit of …