Jay Blades, who is well-known in the UK for his work on TV shows like "The Repair Shop," has frequently discussed how reading has changed his life. Blades, who was raised in a difficult environment with few resources, found that reading was a source of knowledge and an escape that altered his viewpoint.

Blades was raised in a challenging environment, surrounded by poverty and crime. He was able to discover worlds outside of his immediate surroundings through reading. He initially came across concepts related to restoration and repair through books, which would later influence his work. Blades was able to learn and develop via reading, which ultimately made him a person who helps others see the worth in things they might otherwise throw away.

His story demonstrates how even something as basic as a daily routine can have a significant impact on a person's life trajectory. The regular practice of reading quietly changed Blades' perspective and abilities, changing his life in ways he could not have predicted when he first picked up a book, much like water gradually erodes rock over time.