How I Built This with Guy Raz Headspace: Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson
Sep 23, 2019
Andy Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk, and Rich Pierson, a co-founder of Headspace, share their inspiring journey from meditation practices to a global app phenomenon. They discuss how a chance meeting led to their partnership, the challenges of shifting from live events to digital platforms, and the importance of making meditation accessible worldwide. They reflect on personal growth and the role of diverse voices in enhancing the user experience, showcasing how mindfulness can transform lives and businesses.
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Childhood Meditation
- Andy Puddicombe's mom introduced him to meditation at age 10 after his parents' divorce.
- He attended Transcendental Meditation (TM) group sessions and initially found it hard to focus.
Teenage Years and Trauma
- Andy was part of the UK's drinking culture as a teenager, frequenting pubs with friends.
- At 18, he witnessed a drunk driving accident that killed two people and injured many others, deeply impacting him.
Dropping Out of College
- Andy briefly studied sports science at De Montfort University after working as a personal trainer.
- He dropped out after feeling a strong calling to study Buddhism and become a monk.