The story of how best selling author Antonio Neves was hiding his internal struggles. We all struggle with stress, worth the read. —— I was once a secret smoker. Camel Crush Menthol cigarettes, to be exact. At the time, the internet would have told you I was "successful." My career was going great a speaker, author, and coach. But behind the scenes, I was stressed to the max with my responsibilities as a new dad, husband, and business owner. Life seemed to be caving in. I spent nights trying to drown my worries with Netflix, too much food, and booze. I gained 30 lbs and even grew a big beard to hide my weight gain (it didn't work). I even began avoiding family and friends The stress was so intense I even had to go to the hospital for cardiac MRIs and wore a heart monitor. Instead of asking for help, I started smoking cigarettes in secret. During the day, I'd sneak off to various Los Angeles alleys and put on a bright green gardening glove. I did this so my wife wouldn’t smell the smoke on my hands. One day, a homeless man approached me while I was smoking and asked for a cigarette. We started talking, as smokers do. When he noticed the bright green gardening glove and asked why I was wearing it, I told him. His reaction was as if I'd committed a crime. Then he said seven words I'll never forget: "You gotta figure that $hit out, man." And then, he walked away. That moment crushed me more than the Camels. He was right. His words hit hard. That moment began my journey to course correct.