One of the reasons I'm an actor is because I was no physical specimen as a child. I wasn't athletic and didn't have any prowess in that regard. Growing up in Kentucky most little boys were trying to get into sports and it was very competitive so that was not to be. But I did want to do something.
When you take a stand out of deep conviction people know. They may not even agree but they ask 'Do I want someone who is willing to take a hard stand and someone I can trust to do that when the chips are down?' They want that.