Is there a clever way to seek love? John Williams, founder of The Ideas Lab, vows to find out in a special Psychologies project. He chats to Ali Roff about what brought him here, and what’s next, as he launches The Love Challenge…

Dossier

Q+A

Q You’re embarking on an exciting mission to help yourself and Psychologies readers find partners in a more intelligent manner. What is your inspiration for this?

I’ve undertaken all sorts of projects in my business, but dating and love has never been the focus of any of them. I’ve had relationships but never met anyone I want to spend my life with. My dad died when I was a baby, so I grew up without a father figure, which made the issue of masculinity complex for me because I’ve never had a role model. I also had low self-esteem, which I’ve worked on, but that has influenced my dating life.

I’m OK once I’m in a relationship, but I find it difficult to meet people. It becomes harder as you get older because others your age are coupled up. When I was struggling with low self-esteem, I felt as if I was always on the back foot. After my last relationship ended, I realised something’s got to change if I’m going to find somebody who I want to be with long term. I thought, ‘I can’t be the only person, man or woman, who has this problem!’ That’s when I decided to create The Love Challenge. I’ve been talking to top experts for a podcast for Psychologies to learn innovative ways to approach dating. I’m applying what I learn to my own life and reporting on the process. I’m also inviting the experts to help me create a transformational online experience for people to take their own Love Challenge in 30 days this November.