My name is Antonio Edwards and I want to get real with you for a minute.

I’ve always had a big dreams, wanted to make something of my life, and become financially free.

However, as a kid I suffered emotionally from my surroundings. I always felt like I didn’t have what it took to “succeed” and even in school I felt like I was always the slow one in class. It seemed everyone always “got it” faster than I did.

I got teased for not learning as fast as others, got called “little ant head”, joked for being the smallest/shortest boy in each grade, constantly made fun of and never felt I could connect with any real friends until after I graduated from high school. It felt like my relationships in school were always on the surface.

Although math was my best subject, I didn’t read my first book cover to cover until I was 22 years old. Prior to that I hated books and reading. I was insecure, didn’t like talking to people unless I had to and always looked for ways to fit in with the crowd.

There were many moments my motivation and confidence was completely shot. I got cut from my middle and high school basketball team because of my height, and experienced constant financial struggles at home.