The Next Level... a Game I Had to Play!

Book excerpt: 'The Next Level' is an autobiography about my life journey. When people look at me and my life from the outside, they say man, "VT has it all"; this guy actually lived the American dream. When people look at me, they see me smiling almost all the time, always with a positive attitude, always with a "glass half full" outlook on everything. But what people don't see is the bad dreams I still have to this day due to events that occurred while I was growing up. No one will ever understand the pain and regret I have inside due to my past...things that will haunt me until the day I die! Yeah, that ole cliche is so true: "The grass is not always greener on the other side." You will read about a young man that went up against some insurmountable odds to save his family and in the process, achieve a childhood dream. If I had to choose a few words to describe my story, they would have to be... sadness, embarrassment, heartbreaking, guilt, regret, anger, fear, determination, triumph and relief. This project was one of the most difficult things I have ever done because it forced me to remember things I had buried in my mind (and heart) for over 30 years. There are some events in this book that my own siblings are not aware of. I truly hope that my book connects with each and every one of you in an inspiring way. Looking back now, I can truly say that I lived an amazing life; it's the kind of life story that needs to be shared! If my story can help one person, then writing 'The Next Level' was worth it!