I was born in Riverside, California, and at 12, we moved to Arkansas and shortly after my parents divorced. I lived with my mom who was addicted to pain meds and other drugs, didn’t work and so we lived below the poverty line. We relied on food stamps, welfare and W.I.C.

For reasons I’m unsure about, I was afraid to get close to people. I played football, but I was also smart, but I also liked heavy metal, so I felt out of place from each particular clique.

My internal response was, ‘Well if I don’t belong, I’ll be the best at everything.’ And I built my life on that premise. I took a position that I’ve got everything covered, that I’m an entity unto myself.