“I really admired people who could act small and humble. So I tried acting like that. But when I watched it back on the video there was this big, larger than life character. Look at me! Look at me!

I just started getting work giving talks and things. And after about 10 years, when people asked, I’d say, well, I’m guess I’m a comedian. Then I realised I was getting paid for it. And that I loved it. So I threw myself into it.

I don’t think you become one (a comedian), I think you are one. I can teach you the craft, but I can’t teach you how. I can create the opportunity to use the techiques in other parts of your life – with friends, public speaking.

It’s a pretty egotistical career. It’s you and your point of view, what you choose to make people laugh at. But you’re also offering people a chance to think about things in a different way. Outside the box.”

Mandy tells her students that you’re just reflecting the life around you. And that often your worst times are the ones, later, that your best material comes from.