Hi there!

In terms of your question on why I used physical strength, I think I answered that in my article. For instance, here’s how I put it in one paragraph:

“We like to think that business building is different from physical exercise but in many ways, it’s not. We all are born with physical and financial advantages or limitations. Michael Phelps didn’t earn his extraordinary physique that (coupled with super-hard work) helped him be successful, any more than Mark Zuckerberg earned his family background.”

Basically, equating physical strength to business building is a metaphor and all metaphors have their limitations.

Why add an example that is all about physical strength? I will bet most 30, 40, 50 or 60 year old men couldn’t do what Ali did. I also bet that 90 year could start up a business. (I am so tired of ageism.)

Agree that most people couldn’t do what Ali did. I actually said that in the sentence that immediately followed the one you commented on:

“A 90-year old woman wouldn’t be able to do what Muhammad Ali accomplished in his prime boxing days. Even 38-year old Muhammad Ali himself got injured when he tried to do what had so easily come to his past self — according to Sylvester Stallone, Ali’s last fight was like seeing an autopsy on someone who’s still alive.”

I’m also tired of ageism and agree with you that (some) 90-year olds can start a business (although I have yet to hear of a 90-year old who built something as big as Facebook). Some 90-year olds also can (and do) run marathons.

Again, it’s a metaphor and thus has some limitations. :)

I agree most of the advice is we hear is total crap but not because it’s from white guys. Most of the advice it not genuine advice, it’s packaged to create content to stroke the egos of the people creating the content.

I agree that a lot of the advice we see is not genuine advice and for the reasons you mentioned.

Just to clarify, I never said that advice from white guys is crap. In fact, my business coach happens to be a white guy and I very much appreciate his advice.

What I did say is that the advice we’re getting from a very, very select group of people (most of whom happen to be white and American and male and privileged enough to go to Ivy League schools or have their parents invest a large sum in their businesses) is not helpful for most entrepreneurs worldwide.