I began my career as an apprentice toolmaker at Cummins Diesel Engines before joining the British Army in 1989 as an aircraft technician. Over the course of my service, I worked in a range of demanding environments, including Germany, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Guatemala, where I supported the local army in operations against drug cartels. My final seven years in uniform were spent stationed in Northern Ireland.

Alongside military service, I developed a strong connection towards outdoor activities, first as a winter mountaineer and later as a qualified canoe and kayak instructor. In 2003, a serious spinal injury brought my military career to an unexpected end, resulting in medical retirement. The recovery process was long and challenging, but through determination and resilience, I eventually learned to walk again. This experience reshaped my outlook and laid the foundations for the next chapter of my professional life.