Meet the Former Buddhist Monk Who Launched a Successful Meditation App
Headspace has already attracted 31 million users in 190 countries.
-
CategoryExperiences, Makers + Entrepreneurs, Tech, Unwind
After a series of tragedies in his early 20s, British-born Andy Puddicombe made a life-changing decision. Once a personal trainer and competitive gymnast in London, Puddicombe left home for a Buddhist monastery in the Himalayas and initially planned to remain a monk “for life.”
According to CNN, Puddicombe did eventually depart the monastery in 2004 and returned to England with teachings he hopes to shares with a wider audience. He met advertising executive Rich Pierson through mutual friends, and in 2010, they founded Headspace as a meditation events company in London.
“The popularization of mindfulness—a therapeutic technique that helps people acknowledge their feelings while focusing on the present—coincided with a time when many felt under ‘increasing pressure,’ according to Puddicombe.”
The business has raised more than $75 million from investors, and they now have a strong foothold here in California, with offices in San Francisco.
Read more here.
Why This Former Hunter Became the Wildlife Protector of the Sierras
Defending both human guests
and animal residents.
Why Catalina Island Could Be the Future Epicenter for Renewable Energy
Kelp is abundant, grows quickly and may be our next great energy source.
Artist Shirin Neshat Gets a Dramatic Survey Exhibition at the Broad
The acclaimed artist immigrated to Los Angeles before the Iranian Revolution.
