In his highly anticipated memoir, "Flip Your Life," Tarek El Moussa, renowned HGTV star, delves into his troubled past, recounting the pivotal moments that led him to change the course of his life. The 42-year-old reality TV personality reflects on his involvement in a gang fight during his sophomore year in high school, which ultimately resulted in his arrest for attempted murder and a brief stay in a juvenile detention center.

El Moussa, who grew up in what he describes as the "least rough neighborhood in a very rough area" of California, candidly acknowledges the heavy influence of gang culture during his youth. He reveals that he and his friends took matters into their own hands when a rival gang began dating his buddy's girlfriend, leading them to confront the situation.

Arriving at a predetermined location in a park, El Moussa and his friends found themselves facing members of the rival gang armed with baseball bats and crowbars. During the ensuing fight, El Moussa suffered broken ribs from a swing of a baseball bat. However, in a moment of self-defense, he managed to disarm his opponent and unintentionally struck him on the head, rendering him unconscious.

The situation escalated when older members of the rival gang advanced towards El Moussa with intentions of inflicting severe harm or even causing his demise. Fortunately, the police arrived at the scene, arresting El Moussa and potentially saving his life. He details feeling both terrified and relieved as he was handcuffed and thrown into a cell, facing charges of assault and battery, aggravated assault, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon.

In an excerpt shared from "Flip Your Life," El Moussa affirms that this particular fight was not the most extreme encounter he had experienced during his troubled youth. He admits to having been involved in shootings, knife fights, and being struck in the face with a bat, highlighting the chaotic environment he grew up in.

El Moussa's decision to openly discuss this harrowing tale in his memoir stems from a desire to shed light on an experience that profoundly shaped his character and journey. Despite the adversity he faced, El Moussa managed to rebuild his life over two decades, becoming a household name through his hosting gigs on various shows and accumulating wealth as a successful entrepreneur.

"I'll never forget," El Moussa shared with People, reflecting on the fear he experienced during his arrest. The charges against him were severe, and he remained uncertain about the duration of his confinement. However, the incident caused him to deeply ponder his choices and set him on a path of self-reflection.

Today, El Moussa is a loving father to three children. He shares his eldest daughter Taylor, aged 13, and son Brayden, aged eight, with his ex-wife Christina Hall, and celebrates the first birthday of his youngest son Tristan with his current wife, Heather Rae El Moussa, whom he married in 2021.

In his upcoming memoir, Tarek El Moussa demonstrates through his own personal journey the potential for transformation and redemption. By sharing his story, he hopes to inspire others facing similar challenges to believe that change is possible, no matter their circumstances.