I think the most depressing thing about it all was that one of the reasons why she didn't make it was not because she was not good enough, but, because as his fas said, the people surrounding her, her environment, her supposed partners, didn't support her willingness to go the distance.
Hard work is not enough, you also have to be in the right place too, with the right people, someplace where your effort is appreciated and can be nurtured.