The first thing you notice about Marcus Pedro is his size.

Watch online: The Warrior

But it's this Torres Strait Islander's energy and enthusiasm that makes him stand out from the pack.

It's hard to believe his early years were spent struggling with school bullies.

"They used to say to me 'You're stupid, you're dumb, you're ugly, you're never going to go anywhere, you're never going to be anybody'...I had no confidence and my self esteem was very low", he tells Living Black.

So how did he go from this to becoming a motivational speaker, martial artist and the subject of a book on warriors?

Join Living Black to see how one man proved his detractors wrong.

TRANSCRIPT

VOICEOVER: The first thing you notice about Marcus Pedro is his size, but it is the Torres Strait Islander's energy and enthusiasm that makes him stand out from the pack. Looking at him now, it’s hard to believe his early years were spent struggling with school bullies.

MARCUS PEDRO: They used to say to me, “You’re stupid, you’re ugly, you’re dumb. You’re never going to go anywhere. You’re never going to be anybody.” It was very hard. I had no confidence and myself self-esteem was very low. My self-belief was very low, my confidence was very low. In sports, my confidence would go threw the roof.

VOICEOVER: But the taunts stayed with him into his adult life.

MARCUS PEDRO: I used racism there, at one stage, to make an excuse to get out of work because I couldn't read, write and spell.

VOICEOVER: Marcus built up his confidence with martial arts, and later joined the Queensland police.

IAN STEWARD, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER QUEENSLAND POLICE: He has turned out a wonderful example of what people can attain, and all of that is because of his intent, his focus and his efforts.

PROFESSOR NELL ARNOLD, AUTHOR: He’s a giant inside, and that beautiful, quiet strength - he knows who he is and because he knows who he is he can reach out and help other people.

MARCUS PEDRO: She told me what she is doing - she was writing a book, a series, and it was called 'Out of Australia'. She said, “I’m looking for Indigenous people - their stories - to write in a book.” She said, “You have no say in it. I am going write about you!” And because I trust Nell and I love her dearly and she is a great friend and I said, "OK, let's go."

VOICEOVER: The result of Nell writing about Marcus and his inspiring life story is 'Three Warriors Within'.

NELL ARNOLD: A beautiful part in the book is, Marcus looks into the mirror and he finally has to confront that he is who he is, and to recognise that he has greatness and to accept it. And I think that’s what we want to do - that individuals, people, have greatness in them and that they reach for that.

MARCUS PEDRO (TALKING TO STUDENTS): We will talk a little bit about shame and where it got me.

VOICEOVER: Marcus would like people to read his story and have the confidence in themselves that they overcome any obstacle. As a motivational speaker it is a message he shares with schoolchildren.

TEDDY KNOX, STUDENT: I thought how he never gave up there, because he was never smart, like, at school and stuff, being academic. I thought that was really great for young kids who aren't that smart as well.

AMY-LOUISE BLAIR, STUDENT: I just liked how he was saying, “Don't be ashamed, just be yourself. Don’t copy anyone.”

VOICEOVER: Not bad advice from someone who was told they would never do anything with their life.
Source: Living Black SBS