THE STORY
When life makes a hard left.
“A raw, funny, and deeply human memoir about surviving life’s wildest left turns.”
Through business failure, illness, career upheaval, and plenty of absurdity along the way, Peter’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and refusing to let setbacks define you.
“A drop of sweat rolled down my forehead. There was really no reason for it. After all, I was sitting by myself on a cool day in Berkeley, surrounded by college students in flannel and sweatshirts, tucked into a relaxed coffee shop. It wasn’t the setting or even the 25 extra pounds I was carrying. No, it was because I was meeting my boss’s boss that day, and my job was in jeopardy.”
EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK HOVER OVER TO READ
A CORPORATE PINK SLIP
“A drop of sweat rolled down my forehead. There was really no reason for it. After all, I was sitting by myself on a cool day in Berkeley, surrounded by college students in flannel and sweatshirts, tucked into a relaxed coffee shop.
It wasn’t the setting or even the 25 extra pounds I was carrying. No, it was because I was meeting my boss’s boss that day, and my job was in jeopardy.”
CANCER AND KIDNEY FAILURE
The sunroof was open, the music was blaring, and I was in a perfect mood, driving to my speaking club on a warm Thursday evening in October 2014. I loved going to Golden Gate Toastmasters. It was a highlight of my week, and I was excited to get there. The club was loaded with the kind of interesting, supportive people I liked being around—everyone sharing the same goal of becoming a better public speaker. Since joining only a few months earlier, it had quickly become a huge part of my life.
My cell phone rang at about 5:30 p.m. as I was driving up Van Ness on my way to the club. The city was bustling all around me, full of life and evening energy.
“Pete, it’s Dr. Cubba. Your test results are back, and I’m concerned.”
A HOTDOG CART IN
SAN FRANCISCO
My cell phone rang. It was my friend Steve returning my call.
“So you want to sell hot dogs, my boy?”
“Hey, bro,” I said. “Yes, hot dogs will soon be my life. Seriously, I’m going to do this.”
“Had it with sales, huh?” Steve asked.
“I just can’t do it anymore,” I replied. “Hell, I probably deserved to get fired. The thing that gets me is that I took their shit for over a year and then groveled for a job I didn’t even want. I will never be humiliated like that again. Never. It’s time for a change.”
ONE MORE UNEXPECTED SETBACK
But it wasn’t going to be the same this time. Ten years earlier, I’d sat in that Berkeley coffee shop, sweaty and desperate, preparing to defend myself. Not this time.
This time, I arrived wearing jeans, an untucked shirt, and sandals, singing along to my music. I pulled into the hotel parking lot, took a few deep breaths, and meditated for a bit before walking toward the lobby.
As I entered the outdoor patio area overlooking the sailboats, I noticed a manager sitting with a woman. He hadn’t told me she was coming, but I knew she would be there.
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