jessejamesright230WM.jpgJesse James is opening up about his life following his highly-publicized split from Sandra Bullock.

James tells People:

    "Everything got ripped to shreds. I was at my breaking point."


The 42-year-old bad boy biker, who spent 30-days at Sierra Tucson treatment center in Arizona, also reveals details on his difficult upbringing ... including an abusive childhood.

Bullock's ex adds:

    "I always felt out of place my whole life. I never felt successful, never felt I deserved anything. I'm moving forward, thinking clearly and becoming a better person. ... I have started life over ... I've made my world pretty small. Now I can focus on what's important: making sure [my] kids get good grades and are happy and healthy."


Find out what James had to say about baby Louis ... after the jump.