I was brought up as a Jehovah's Witness in a strict household. At 16 I realised that I had no choice but to accept my sexuality and explore the LGBTQ+ community and for 3 years I lived a double life because I couldn't face telling my parents.

At 18 I befriended a man 37 years my senior but he had other ideas. He fell for me and stalked me for 3 years making my life hell. He was so infatuated with me that he wanted me to live with him and he started writing abusive, hate mail type letters to my parents to out me and to get me thrown out. One day he succeeded and on the 9th February 1993, my parents gave me an ultimatum. Change or leave - I chose to leave!

The next 2 years shaped my life forever to come. I lived on the streets, took drugs and met some very unsavoury people. It took all my might and on 31st October 1994, almost 2 years after I left home, I took my last drug.

I went on to get a junior job in finance and found a home with a housing association. I studied hard and with my ambition and zeal for my new life I got to a senior position within 8 years. I then moved over to HR exclusively in 2005 and have been a senior practitioner since.

For years I suffered from depression and anxiety and eventually in 2010, 16 years of being clean, discovered yoga and mindfulness. I credit these with saving my life as they've helped me piece together the jigsaw pieces in my mind.

Today I am Chief People & Purpose Officer of the agency I dreamed of working at Bicycle London. I feel like a kid in a sweet shop and want to tell everyone about it.

Pav x (aka known as Mark, Mario and Maz)