Olympian swimmer Michael Phelps is 6 feet 4 inches tall, and olympian long distance runner Hicham El Guerrouj is 5 feet 9 inches tall…but they both have the same inseams! Though this definitely contributed to each of their success, it’s a great example of playing to our strengths (or, what Warren Buffet calls Circle of Competence).

Michael Phelps

Most decorated Olympian of all time

28 total Olympic medals over 5 Olympics

23 Gold medals, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze

Hicham El Guerrouj

World Record Holder – 2000m (since Sept 7, 1999)

World Record Holder – 1500m (since July 7, 1998)

World Record Holder – 1 mile (since July 7, 1999)

Play to your Strengths

Phelps and El Guerrouj’s bodies just so happen to be near-perfectly architected for absolute dominance for for their sports. Let’s consider Phelps:

He’s 6’4. Perfect.

His wingspan is considerable longer that his height. Awesome.

Phelps also has double-jointed elbows, knees, and ankles, which allows him to bend himself like few swimmers can.

And… His torso and feet are incredibly long. Like CRAZY long.

A “normal” 6 foot 4 inch guy has a 34-inch inseam. Phelps? His inseam is 30 inches. (According to Google, this means he would be in the “petite” to “small” range if he were shopping for women’s pants.)

To further capitalize on the Swimming God’s innate blessings, Phelps put in the effort of 10 Olympians—squeezing every drop of potential out of his uniquely shaped body. This helped him uniquely dominate a sport for an inordinate time frame.

But he would have totally failed if he were a runner.

El Guerrouj has incredibly long legs and a short upper body, an ideal frame for distance running.

At peak fitness, Phelps weighed 88 kg, which is 40 percent heavier than El Guerrouj, who competed at an ultralight 62 kg. Taller runners are heavier runners, and every extra kilo is a curse when it comes to distance running. Against elite competition, Phelps would be doomed from the start. Similarly, El Guerrouj might be one of the best runners in history, but it’s doubtful he would ever qualify for the Olympics as a swimmer.

“Play a game where the odds are in your favor…align your ambition with your ability.” – James Clear