I started using Headspace in 2020 when the world changed forever because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was attracted by how the app modernizes meditation, apart from the fact that I’ve always had an affinity with Buddhism, particularly Zen.
I don’t see Buddhism as a religion but rather as a philosophy and a way of life. Ancient wisdom that seems to be converging with neuroscience.
I love how Headspace demystifies meditation, marrying ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science and technology to help more people practice mindfulness.
Origin story
Andy Puddicombe, who is the voice of Headspace and co-founded it in 2010 with Rich Pierson, is a former Buddhist monk. For 10 years, from 1994 to 2004, Puddicombe trained in some of the great Buddhist centers of learning across Asia.
After completing his monastic commitment in 2004, Puddicombe decided to return to the UK with the goal of demystifying meditation and mindfulness, and making them more accessible to the West.
He and Pierson, a former advertising executive, launched Headspace in 2010, starting with books and events, before launching the app. It was in 2013 when the two co-founders decided to move to Venice Beach in California, to set up the Headspace headquarters in the US.
Change and growth
Today, Headspace has 70 million users across 190 countries, who are all benefiting from Puddicombe’s deep knowledge of the ancient tradition of meditation and his uncanny ability to translate this into modern applications backed by science.
In 2020, Headspace launched new features like The Wake Up, Move Mode, and Focus to expand its offerings beyond meditation, so I truly feel that I stumbled upon Headspace at the right time.
Headspace has even spawned a Netflix Original Series on meditation.
It’s been quite a journey, and I’m glad Headspace is around to help me with my own.
How about you? Are you ready to meditate?
