My kid worked hard, but nothing like what you’re describing. One of the biggest things that helped him was being able to read critically and digest info quickly. That’s something that can be worked on even as a young child. Just read. Alot!
Another thing that kept him sane is simply not buying in to the rat race. He had 2 friends who went to U Chicago and another who went to Vandy. Great for them, they earned it! But that wasn’t him. He found what fit him outside of anyone’s expectations.
The one thing he did was take the ACTs alot. He couldn’t fit in private tutors or test prep w/ his athletic schedule so he sat the first test as a Frosh, and then a few more times after that.
Of course HS wasn’t completely stress free, but that had more to do w/ his athletic schedule and being gay in a place decidedly anti-LGBTQIA+.
In the end he’s where he is meant to be and is doing very well.