We all stand on the shoulders of giants and so my first thanks need to go to all the excellent thinkers, speakers and adventurers who provide inspiration and evidence to my readers that we can all lead a heroic life.

I'd like to thank all my wonderful family, friends and clients who have acted as sounding boards and champions for this book. Thanks to Jenny and Jonathan at Wiley, for their passion and rigour. Special thanks go to my key readers – Beth T. and Louisa M., for their feedback and encouragement. Thanks also to Francis Briers, Roi Gal-Or and Max Fraser for their inspiration and input. And a big thank you to my darling Peter, without whom this heroine might not have survived the Supreme Ordeal.