During my formative years, the voices I heard were negative and self-loathing. This led me to be anxious, fearful, and awkward. I hated being this way ... and frankly, I hated being me. Then I made a choice. I was not going to be that person anymore-the person that timidly turned his back on everything. 'Pete the Panic,' as I was called, would somehow climb out of the depths of despair. Unique methods and practices were implemented to transform into the man I wanted to be ... 'Icy Pete,' calm, confident and courageous. Change occurred at a snail's pace, with daily obstacles. My mind shrieked at me to stop trying to be someone I wasn't and go back to being a slug. I continued to fight these voices that told me, "I suck," and that, "I couldn't, wouldn't and shouldn't." Little by little I changed. Within these pages you will read the one-of-a-kind story of a boy who hated himself and transformed himself into a man who could ... a husband, father, dental surgeon, and fighter.