At Moving Mindz, we are thrilled to work with industry-leading researchers to deliver real results in the mental health space. In this Q and A, we get to know a bit more about award-winning mindfulness expert Dr Richard Chambers.
1) What’s your professional background?
I am a clinical psychologist and leading authority on mindful leadership and mindful education. I was an early adopter of mindfulness and have been practising, teaching and researching it since 1999. I currently split my time between mindful leadership consulting, high performance coaching and leading a university-wide mindfulness initiative at Monash University.
2) Greatest achievement/career highlight?
I have been lucky to have a really varied career and done some really interesting things along the way, so this is a hard one to answer! I would have to say that my work at Monash embedding mindfulness in the core curriculum for students is a highlight, as were giving a TEDx talk in 2017, helping develop the Smiling Mind meditation app, and winning the Australian Psychological Society’s Sig Contribution Award in 2020.
3) What do you love about your job?
Mindfulness changed my life, saving me from anxiety and depression and making me more focused and productive. It is a pleasure to pass this on to others. I love seeing how even simple things like doing a few minutes meditation each day or turning off smart phone notifications can make a massive difference in people’s lives.
4) How do you feel about being a collaborative researcher with Moving Mindz?
I love the really awesome work Moving Mindz is doing to make mindfulness accessible to people all around the world. The nudge-based approach we are taking is informed by the latest research in behaviour change and I think it is going to be very powerful. I am really looking forward to evaluating what we are doing and getting some hard data (and then using that to make our programs even better)!
5) Hobbies outside work?
Oh, when I’m not working, I just sit around meditating all the time. Ha ha, just kidding! I do love meditation but also LOVE being outdoors, hiking, fly-fishing and camping. I am also getting back into playing guitar now that my partner has started playing ukulele. So cute!!
6) Favourite TV show and book?
I really like the show Alone, where they get 10 survival experts and let them take 10 items and then see who can last the longest in the most inhospitable environments on earth, stalked by wild animals and sleeping in the rain and snow. As a psychologist I really like how it strips people back and shows their true character.
I mostly read business books and (surprise, surprise) books on meditation and mindfulness. My favourite meditation teacher is Adyashanti and his book “The End Of Your World” is pretty epic.
7) If you could spend a day in the life of someone, who would it be?
I would like to be inside Elon Musk’s head, although probably only for a day!
8) Secret vice?
I am a massive green tea fan. I lived in Japan for a year in my early 20s and got a taste for the good stuff, so now I am addicted to imported sencha from Japan’s southern island, Kyushu. It’s an expensive habit!!
9) Your goals for 2021?
Apart from getting enlightened? This year I am focusing on developing corporate programs (like the ones I am making with Moving Mindz) and doing more coaching.
Like to know more about Moving Mindz?
Moving Mindz is a fun corporate wellness challenge that’s designed to help employees stay connected, be active and make positive lifestyle improvements to enhance their mental health and wellbeing.
Designed by leading academics from around the globe, the program encompasses mindfulness, gratitude, sleep, nutrition, laughter, connection, resilience and movement.
We take surveys before and after the program in order to measure changes in participants’ mental and physical health, then we report those findings to the client (all de-identified).
If you would like to see how Moving Mindz can make a difference to your organisation, either reach out via the website or come to contactus@movingmindz.co.