I believe tenacity can be "learned". I don't know if I'd call it learning though and don't think it's like learning to ride a bike.

Your environment can chisel an "edge" into your personality. Something like a chip on your shoulder. Doesn't this happen a lot in small teams? You against the world? Soldiers in small military units, startups, and again, sports see similar "effects".

Adversity or emotional abuse might produce a similar result. A parent telling a child that something isn't good enough or to not let them down on a task.

Isn't this loosely related to all those posts about not telling kids they're smart?