The problem most people (in my experience) have is that they don't actually start training with any intention of becoming half decent, which both psychologically and physiologically limits their potential outcomes.

This is a silly stance and honestly condescending. Not everyone works the same way you do. I've competed at the national level and I often find the workouts strenuous and boring, not fun. Projecting your own experience onto others is a great way to demotivate, not help them.