Ever wondered what separates the wheat from the chaff?

What is it that separates the successful from the also-rans? [Aside: How does one become Smart Alec in this world dominated by Joe Average :)]. Is it single-minded focus, passion, hardwork, luck or something else?

Is it a combination of some or all of the above is some proportion which is nature’s best kept secret?

What are men like Lance Armstrong made of? (In case you are wondering he is the 6-time winner of the ‘tour de france’; guys find it tough to win once and he has done it over and over). What drives him? What is it that makes him exceptional? And hey! this guy has BALLS ... serious balls ... for how do you explain the fact that he has gone onto defeat younger competitors after having come out of testicular cancer ... yeah! testicular cancer ...

A brief bio would enlighten some of us who aren’t aware of his exploits and remind the rest of us who do, of just how phenomenal this individual is:

1971 : September 18, Born in Plano, Texas. Raised by mother who was married and divorced twice.

1984 : By age 13, he was competing in triathlons.

1987 : Turns pro.

’87-91 : National Cycling team invites him to train with them while he was still a senior in high school.

1991 : Wins National Amateur Cycling Championship, First Union Grand Prix and Thrift Drug Classic

1992 : Barcelona Olympics, finishes 14^th

1993 : Bounces back, wins US cycling's Triple Crown. Becomes the youngest person to ever capture the World Race Championships in Oslo, Norway.

1994 : Finishes runner-up in the “Tour Du Pont”

1995 : Wins “Tour Du Pont” by the highest margin of victory in the history of the race.

1996 : Indifferent season; ups and downs including fatigue and bronchitis; Atlanta Olympics: 12^th place finish in road race. Lucrative contract with Team Cofidis follows.

1996 : Diagnosed with testicular cancer which has spread to his brain and lungs. Given a 40% chance of recovery.

1997 : Cofidis drops him. US Post picks him up. (Pay goes south from $600K to $200K p.a)

1998 : Post several low-key race wins, goes and gets the big one “Le Tour de France” setting a new average speed.

Has currently won an unprecedented 6 “Tour de France” titles. He is on the discovery channel team this year .... and ready to kick serious butt ...