I grew up in South Africa, where opportunities were few, and every day felt like a struggle to make ends meet. My journey started at the age of 14, working with my grandfather in his courier company. I would wake up at 3 AM every weekend to help deliver packages, earning just $3 a day for 7-9 hours of work. It was tough—long hours that left me too tired to enjoy the rest of the weekend like other kids my age. But I knew I had to keep going, that every dollar counted.

Next, I found a job at a gadget shop, selling gadgets and cellphone accessories during my school holidays. The pay was slightly better at $5 a day, but the hours were long—9 hours a day, every day of my holidays. This job was my way of making sure I had some money to support myself and have a little extra to spend with friends.

When I was old enough, I started delivering pizzas. Without a car of my own, I borrowed my grandmother’s old Chevy Spark. The pay was based entirely on tips, which meant if I didn’t get any tips, I didn’t make any money that day. I’d work from 5 PM to 11 PM, often staying out as late as possible to maximize what I could earn, which was usually around $150-$200 a month. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

Hoping for a better future, I landed a job in the fitness industry, promoting bodybuilding products in supermarkets. This was my first job with a steady salary, bringing in around $400 a month, along with a pension. I thought I was finally on the right track, but after a year, I realized I wanted more. I took a job as a plumber, hoping to learn a trade that could lead to my own business. But the work was grueling—9-10 hours a day, sometimes on weekends, for only $150 a month. It was manual labor at its toughest, and after nearly two years, I knew this wasn’t the path for me.

I switched gears again and started working at a well-known restaurant. I excelled there, earning between $800 and $1,000 a month. This was the best pay I had ever earned, and I used it to fund my dream of working abroad on super yachts. But after spending $2,000 on the necessary course, I found myself stuck—unable to gather the $7,000 I needed to support myself overseas for three months. This left me devastated, sinking into debt and struggling with the weight of failure.

In my lowest moment, I took a chance on a recruitment company that offered me a job in Dubai. Despite my doubts, I moved to Dubai and started working as a butler in a prestigious hotel, earning $500 a month. The hours were brutal—17-20 hours a day, sometimes working for three days straight with no sleep. It was exhausting, but I kept pushing forward.

Then, I met a man named Owen, who saw potential in me that I hadn’t seen in myself. He was involved in businesses that I found intriguing, and we began talking regularly. Owen believed I could do more, and when he offered me a job in Malta as his personal assistant, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. This move allowed me to focus on my passions, surrounded by like-minded people who encouraged my growth.

Today, I’m in a place where I’m constantly learning new skills and becoming more self-reliant. My journey has been anything but easy, filled with long hours, low pay, and countless setbacks. But every challenge has taught me resilience and the importance of staying committed to myself, no matter how tough things get. After 5 years of learning and refining my trading strategies, I am now a profitable trader earning six figures annually. It's a testament to the power of perseverance and believing in the process, even when the road feels endless.

This is my story. It’s a testament to perseverance and a reminder that success doesn’t come easy. If you’re facing tough times, know that every struggle is just a step on the path to something greater. Keep pushing forward, staying committed to yourself.