I was bullied my entire childhood. Especially in middle school. The story as a kid is that I used to be allergic to everything. Grass, the sun, sometimes even particles in the air.
I couldn't go outside. I was so scrawny. My hands and face were covered in eczema. I basically looked like someone who would get pushed down at school.
I learned to accept that some people can be cruel. You can't control that.
I used that to fuel an ambition. To become someone. I'm a partner at a16z now. I can get a phone call with just about anyone. That feels nice.