I learned a lot from playing those late-night, 1-to-4 A.M. gigs with my band, and playing when no one was listening.

I've always sung in choirs and acapella groups, but when I was in college, I finally started writing songs and playing with a band, and that ignited a desire to do it full time and pour everything I had into it.

I learned that I truly am a fighter and that I cannot give up.

I do a lot of visualisations and meditation and a lot of hippie stuff.

I'm one of those people at the airport holding a pillow like a little kid.

There are a lot of people who give you the message that maybe you are not good enough, and the best thing you can do for yourself is to block out all of that noise.