If I recall correctly (from his podcast episodes), he has said he knows what is required to get to the top of his field, but he isn’t willing to pay the price.

Perhaps he will point to that in the future to say why he hasn’t won Turing awards. Or perhaps he makes more money from his “side hustles” as an author, blogger, and podcaster.

Or it’s a good match for “finding the hard work you’re willing to do”. He is willing to do the hard work to get tenured, but not the hard work to be the absolute best in the field.