I was born in London (UK), but followed my parents to Belgium when I was 3. My education was very diverse, in French-speaking Belgian schools, British schools in Belgium and in the UK (O'levels), and finally at the French Lycée in Brussels (French baccalauréat). Thanks to this upbringing I am perfectly fluent in both English and French, and pass for a native in both languages.

I then started university, but quickly realised that I was not set for academic studies, and left overnight to go to France to join the Foreign Legion. I stayed in the Legion for 22 years, reaching the rank of "adjudant-chef", the equivalent of WO2 in the British army. I went to the French army IT school, and served the latter part of my career in IT and HR functions.

I was often called upon to translate documents or interpret for visiting dignitaries, and also passed the French army's English-language exams, both oral and written, and in 1993 I was given the Interpreters diploma.

In 2000 I was serving in the Indian Ocean, where the French forces were organizing an 11-nation seminar and manoeuvre on the theme of multi-national peace-keeping operations. Initially part of a team of three interpreters for the three-day seminar, from the first afternoon on I did all the interpreting as the other two did not have the required skills. I then stayed for the manoeuvre, accompanying the visiting chiefs of staff as they watched the various actions. I was awarded a "Témoignage de satisfaction" for my role, the highest recognition possible for such work.

In 2004 I left the legion and returned to Brussels to work in an advertising agency, where once again my language skills have been very useful and in much demand in working with our international clients and media contacts.