text: what would you prefer? being a successful athlete or a successful businessman? athlete: you get rich around age 20, which means you are young and rich but by age 30 you would already have finished the prime of your career. over 40 you are a have been but in those 10 years you would make a lot of money and being young, fame and attention.  businessman: you're a nobody at 20, probably still living with your parents. but by age 30 you start making money. you reach your prime between 40 -50, probably making much more money than an athlete and much more power although not much fame. but your youth was not all fame and wealth but building a base for your future.  which scenarios would you prefer? well, your question is a bit ambiguous, kind of a catch 22.  in my case, i would prefer to be the athlete.  i would get lots of money, up-front.  during my athletic career, i would invest it as i would if i were a business man.  once my career was finished i'd have a lot more capital to use and can then approach my new business with more choices.  keep in mind that part of being a successful businessman is in your ability to attract people, and certainly athletes are among the most popular of people.  therefore, when they are done with their career, have a good portion of their income available for business, i would have to say i much prefer being an athlete first!