So I have had a very similar experience, with some unique flavoring. I was also quite overweight when I was young, so I experienced a lot of bullying. I missed most classes and graduated high school with truancy, and a 3.8. Ultimately, the thing that installed some hard work and discipline for me was Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

After years of just understanding things with no effort and easily outpacing most peers, I was the worst (by far) person in the room at a mostly intellectual pursuit. I was lucky that this stuck, because a lot of people describe it as decreasing depression (there is a lot of physical content and group dynamic), you meet a lot of people so it helps with enhancing social skills, and the physical exercise goes a long way. Beyond that, knowing how to protect yourself gives you a lot of confidence with strangers, for better and worse.

I hate being the guy that shouts my religion to people who aren’t asking for it, but I really think a lot of people would benefit from this. It’s had such an impact that I donate to some charity that gives free lessons and uniforms to under privileged kids in Oakland. Check out a martial art, it’s a more thoughtful way of exercising, and you may hate being the worst person in the room enough to learn how to get better.