I've long been fascinated by how the way we think affects the quality of our lives, so when I had the opportunity to explore this further by undertaking a Fellowship I didn't hesitate. At the time I was pastor of a church and deputy head of a high school with responsibility for personal development and thanks to my Fellowship I was able to visit the USA, Singapore and Canada to meet people active in this field and participate in some life-changing activities.

I began writing my own programmes based on what I learned and was delighted with the positive impact the various strategies made. So much so that in 2003 I quit my job as acting head teacher to start my own personal development company to reach wider audiences and train others to deliver the skills I'd acquired during my Fellowship.

That year I was also helping build a pre-school in Tanzania and I was delighted to see the principles were just as effective in a different culture – indeed the pastor wrote they "not only changed lives within our school and church but changed the whole community … bringing hope where there wasn't any and giving people dreams for the future."

No wonder I'm indebted to the Fellowship. What an organisation! What a vision!