Only for some, there are many people who overcame appalling childhoods. Charles Dickens springs readily to mind as does Oprah Winfrey. I am sure their scars bothered them, but it didn't hold them back.

Even mental illness is something that can be overcome. BPD is the mother of mental traumas and 75% of patients make big improvements in a year. All success is about discipline and hardwork and that includes overcoming childhood adversity.

Did Ruiz have a bad childhood or something? An inability to control weight is usually a sign of something deeper and to do it now? It suggests he has skill, some luck, but the hard work isn't quite enough.