How I Built This with Guy Raz Headspace: Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson (2019)
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Jan 3, 2022 Andy Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk turned co-founder of Headspace, joins forces with marketing expert Rich Pierson to discuss their unconventional journey. They explore how they transformed meditation into a user-friendly app, emphasizing its mental wellness benefits. Personal struggles, from anxiety to cancer diagnoses, shaped their partnership and vision. Andy and Rich also reflect on the challenges of growing a business in a competitive environment while remaining true to their meditative roots and the importance of community support.
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Childhood Meditation
- Andy Puddicombe's parents split when he was ten, and his mom sought solace in meditation.
- He joined her TM classes, finding it hard to focus but ultimately positive.
Tragedy and Escape
- As a teen, Andy embraced the UK pub culture and rugby, but a drunk driver tragically killed two friends.
- This event deeply impacted him and fueled a desire to escape.
Unexpected Calling
- Andy studied sports science after a stint coaching in the US, but felt unfulfilled.
- Inspired by a girlfriend's admiration for Buddhist monks, he abruptly quit college to pursue that path.