"I don't want people at all to, you know, have a pity party for me These tough circumstances in my life Are what gave me the opportunity to persevere and not quit," he says. "Those tragedies and trials that you go through in life ... They push you to the limit to see what you can endure And when you don't give up, when you persevere and when you have that attitude Man, that's what prepared me for the toughest day."