Many will tell us to ‘follow our heart’ with the best intentions – but this is an illusion. Instead, we must first submit to the work that results in us knowing our heart. Then the path ahead will become absolutely clear.

John Richards was born in Exeter in the UK in 1976, later moving to North Portugal where he studied for an International Baccalaureate at the multi-national OBS; the oldest British School in Europe. John read English Literature at Queen Mary and Westfield College, the University of London, from where he graduated in 1996. In his early twenties, John started his career in Crisis Intervention, working with a vast range of vulnerable people including both the victims and perpetrators of severe abuse, street homeless teenagers, asylum seekers, and numerous other complex client groups in need of safety and change. John's specialism became the leadership and development of 24hr staffed therapeutic communities focused on the healing and growth of vulnerable young people. He has specialised in this area for over 18 years as a practitioner and then operational leader for a national provider. More recently, John founded AwarenessChange.Com, a consultancy for Businesses, Organisations and Individuals focused around a range of transformative personal development offers including Awareness Retreats and Intensive 1:1 work. Currently, he works in partnership with Neil Laughton, the multi-award winning Explorer and Business Coach, and Angus Wingfield, the Director and founder of Africa Wild Trails, to lead The Inspiration Programme. TIP is a development programme in the UK, Africa and the Himalayas, providing individuals and businesses with opportunity for adventure, conservation and personal inspiration in order to achieve their greatest potential. John is a widely read writer who has been published by Action for Happiness and The Goodall Foundation.