All started around 19 years old. My grandfather and grandmother passed away and they were basically like parents to me, especially my grandfather as I don't kn

All started around 19 years old. My grandfather and grandmother passed away and they were basically like parents to me, especially my grandfather as I don't know my real dad and my moms husband was a psychopath. I've never been closer to a person and it really shook me (to be honest I still haven't really confronted the fact he's done, and it's been 12 years). A few months after their deaths (they died very close together after battles with cancer), I got a girl pregnant on spring break. Fell in love, tried to make long distance work (me in Indiana, her in Georgia). Eventually she left me without explanation. I did everything I could to be a part of her life and make sure I was there for the baby. She had the baby, it turned out to not be mine. What followed was depression, alcoholism, contemplating suicide daily, etc... failed out of college 3 times, lost my full ride scholarship, got kicked out of Air Force ROTC, took on $180,000 in debt to the govt, got evicted from my house and sued for rent... Moved in with mom, who also got evicted shortly thereafter (her life is/was a mess at the time too). Was unemployed, got my car repossessed, had nowhere to live. Had negative $1000 in my checking account, $10,000 of credit card debt, and no visible way out. Basically charmed my way into a web developer position as a last resort to try to get some cash. Made $15/hour with no benefits, slowly taught myself to code (I had a little background in it and had studied computer engineering until failing out). Eventually used the web developer position to move up a bit to making $40k/yr with benefits (this is in the midwest). Decided to move to SF to hopefully make it big and somehow landed a 6 figure position without much effort. Worked at that small startup for a year, went under, moved to a much bigger company that had just gotten acquired. Started a company with a friend. Raised nearly $50m. Company is still going strong, I've moved on to senior engineering positions at other top bay area startups and have recruiters up my ass daily. Probably will start another company in the future. 31 years old now. Can't believe how far I've come in the last 10 years. To be honest I'm not really sure how I got here as it seems surreal, but I guess the message is don't give up. You can get through anything as long as you don't call it quits.