“A full-time job, part-time work on the side, three kids including six-month-old twins. He still made time to learn.”

When Fabian signed up to study, people asked him the obvious question.

He was 37. Alongside his full-time job, he had about four part-time jobs at the time. He and his wife have three children, including twins who were just six months old, and his wife was studying too.

“Why are you going to study?”

His answer was simple. “I wanted to switch off and do something for myself.”

He signed up for the Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing bootcamp.

He went in with clear expectations. He wanted to learn from experts, people working in the industry. Over 40 hours, he wanted to pick up new tools and improve his digital skills.

Then came a Wednesday he still remembers. “Normally I’m always sort of late,” he admits. That day, he was early, already on his laptop, when the lecturer appeared on his screen. As soon as he saw him, he followed him on TikTok.

It was Will Francis. “Someone who’s an expert within his field. He’s also a lecturer.”

For Fabian, it was a rare chance. “It’s a sort of once in a lifetime opportunity with such a brain.”

The lectures were online, and that surprised him. “It was almost like the same feeling of in person.” Across the 40 hours, Will didn’t only lecture. He also mentored the group on their own ideas.

The schedule was eight hours a day, rest in the evening, then back and ready for the next day.

He knows which he prefers now. “Nowadays, if I had to choose in person or online, I would choose online, definitely.”

Today, Fabian is a presenter and communication strategist. His message is for anyone who thinks they don’t have the time.