[joantune]

The intensity you did it though matters. You probably didn't spend that many years on a specific sport for instance.

And when we're talking about sports, genetics matter as well (depending on each one)

When we're talking brains, while genetics also matter, assuming normal (whatever that is) brain, the plasticity changes a lot how it operates.

So, the 10 years thing is definitely a big if not the biggest part. In my opinion. Would love to see studies if any exist out there on this

[confidantlake]

I did spend years on a specific sport starting as a kid. I was average. There were people that first played the sport as teenagers and within a year were competitive nationally.

I was in the same math classes as some of my peers for a decade+. Some people were great, some were bad and most were somewhere in between. The kids who were exceptional at 9 were exceptional at 17.

Obviously time matters but genetics play a huge role as well. I have a family friend with 2 adopted kids and 2 biological kids. The adopted ones are average but the biological ones are very smart. Just like their parents.