I like to set myself a new adventure challenge at least once or twice a year because I love that side of my life. I love getting fit and training for it.

I never learned the rules in the first place. To change the game is at the heart of what Virgin stands for, so the company culture has always been: "Don't sweat it: rules were meant to be broken."

I truly believe that capitalism was created to help people live better lives, but sadly over the years it has lost its way a bit. The short-term focus on profit has driven most businesses to forget about the important long-term role they have in taking care of people and the planet.

When people warn me against doing something once my mind is made up, I grow increasingly determined to try it.

If you find yourself stuck in the middle there is only one way to go, forward.

As we drifted to earth I sat up on the glass roof of the capsule, watching the beauty of the golden dawn as it broke over the desert. This was a day I never thought I'd see and the rising sun and growing warmth of the day seemed very precious. It made me aware that hard-won things are more valuable than those that come too easily. It reminded me to always enjoy the moment.

Most "necessary evils" are far more evil than necessary.