From hustling at fifteen, to pulling stick ups at sixteen, Shellman found himself at the age of seventeen being sentenced to four to twelve years in prison. In an honest and brutal way Shellman tells his life story from a powerless child to a power crazed misdirected youth, survival of the fittest on the streets and life within some of the roughest prisons in New York State. Throughout the story you witness his search for self peace and spiritual growth as he sought to balance his troubled life which would ultimately lead him through life threatening situations where by chance and little wit he would overcome time and time again. And finally some way, some how an awakening rose within him to change his life and write stories which would help others. Survivor I Changed the Rules is not just a memoir or autobiography, it is a testament about how strong the human spirit is and the ability within all of us to rise above the chains that imprison us.