I don’t see this as a false narrative, but instead as an incomplete one. It reminds me of the kid (and parents) who are shouting to the skies about how great the college is that the kid is going off to in the fall before the kid has taken a class yet. Or an article I read last week from a political figure touting his great child rearing skills because he didn’t treat his kids like snowflakes – but his oldest is maybe 14 years old. You don’t know how any of it is going to turn out.
Check back in 10 or 20 years, and it will be a lot clearer whether keeping his head down and plugging along now was the best thing for him (and his brother). I feel sorry for him, but don’t see him as inspirational or heroic. He’s continuing on his former trajectory. It may or may not last, and he may be glad or sorry that he dove right back in. Only time will tell.