But if they fail to horn it to their advantage, it would be a waste.

I think often the failing lay with their parents. A parent or guardian can play a major role in nurturing natural talent in a child. I believe most people appear 'normal' because their talent has been overlooked or ignored when they were young.

Often kids are fed into the status quo (academia, corporate jobs) and expected to flourish when not all are naturally predisposed to such environments.

However there does come a point in life, where regardless of your circumstances, you need to 'breed'/ develop yourself into becoming a champion!