That's your biggest hurdle right there. You'll never get anywhere as long as you fear ridicule.
When you're days from dying, it's not going to be what you did and got ridiculed for that you're going to be thinking about. If ridicule is your only obstacle, you're a lucky duck.

Also, I'm 6' 2" and 210 and I think I look kinda cute. Only problem is that it makes it harder to find clothes.