Hugh van Cuylenburg Biography
Hugh van Cuylenburg is an Australian educator, speaker, and best-selling author best known as the founder of The Resilience Project. His work primarily focuses on promoting mental health and resilience through the principles of gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness. His journey into this field began during his time volunteering at an underprivileged school in the Himalayas, where he was inspired by the positivity and resilience of the local children, despite their challenging circumstances. This experience deeply influenced him and led to the creation of The Resilience Project, which delivers programs aimed at improving mental well-being in schools, sports teams, and corporate settings.
Since founding The Resilience Project, Hugh has worked with over 1,000 schools and several elite sports teams, including the Australian Cricket Team, AFL clubs, and NRL teams. His practical, evidence-based strategies for promoting mental health have made a significant impact across Australia. In addition to his educational work, Hugh is also a prominent keynote speaker and the co-host of the popular podcast The Imperfects, where he shares stories about embracing vulnerability and imperfection in daily life.
Hugh van Cuylenburg Age
Hugh van Cuylenburg is reported to be in his early 40s.
Hugh van Cuylenburg Hometown
Hugh van Cuylenburg hails from Melbourne, Australia.
Hugh van Cuylenburg Educational Background
Hugh van Cuylenburg has a strong educational background in education and wellbeing. He has been working in education for over 17 years, teaching both primary and secondary students in various settings. e has also completed postgraduate studies focusing on resilience and wellbeing.Â
Hugh van Cuylenburg Career
Hugh van Cuylenburg’s career has been shaped by his commitment to mental health and resilience education. It all began in 2008 when he volunteered at a remote school in the Himalayas, an experience that had a profound impact on his life. Observing the resilience and happiness of children who lived in poverty, despite their challenging circumstances, inspired him to explore the concept of resilience and its connection to mental well-being. He returned to Melbourne, Australia, and with his background in teaching, began developing what would later become The Resilience Project. His goal was to teach individuals, particularly students, the importance of gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness as key pillars for mental health.
By 2013, The Resilience Project had grown significantly, reaching schools across Australia. The program provides practical strategies to improve mental well-being, and its success attracted attention from various sectors, including elite sports teams. In 2015, the National Rugby League (NRL) invited Hugh to deliver workshops to every club in the league. This marked the beginning of his work with high-performance athletes, and since then, he has worked with the Australian Cricket Team, the Australian Netball Team, the Australian Women’s Soccer Team, and several AFL teams.
In addition to his work with sports teams, Hugh expanded The Resilience Project to corporate environments. He began delivering keynote presentations to businesses across Australia, teaching employees and executives how to integrate gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness into their daily routines to reduce stress and improve workplace culture. His presentations are known for being both informative and engaging, blending personal anecdotes, scientific research, and practical advice. By 2018, Hugh had completed several sold-out national tours, bringing his message of resilience to a broader audience​
Hugh’s first book, The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness through Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness, was released in 2019 and became a national bestseller. The book provides practical, evidence-based strategies to improve mental health, particularly during challenging times. The success of the book led to Hugh being invited to share his insights on various media platforms, further establishing his voice in the field of mental health education. His second book, Let’s Go, published in 2022, continued to build on his principles, focusing on helping individuals take actionable steps toward improving their mental well-being​
In 2019, Hugh co-founded the podcast The Imperfects with his brother, Josh van Cuylenburg, and comedian Ryan Shelton. The podcast explores mental health topics through the lens of embracing imperfection. It features candid conversations with guests from different fields, including mental health experts and well-known public figures. The podcast became hugely popular in Australia, and in 2023, The Imperfects embarked on a sold-out live tour, bringing their discussions to the stage. ​
Today, Hugh continues to work with schools, sports teams, and corporate groups across Australia, while also expanding his international reach. His dedication to promoting mental well-being has made him a sought-after speaker and author, with his work positively impacting thousands of people. As he moves forward in his career, Hugh remains focused on helping individuals build resilience in their everyday lives, using the simple but powerful tools of gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness​.
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Hugh van Cuylenburg Books
Hugh van Cuylenburg has authored the following books:
- The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness through Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness (2019)
This book outlines practical strategies to improve mental health by focusing on gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness. It became a national bestseller in Australia, offering readers tools to live happier, more fulfilling lives.
- Let Go (2022)
In his second book, Hugh explores how letting go of control and accepting life’s imperfections can lead to greater happiness. He shares personal experiences and insights into mental health challenges while offering actionable advice for readers.
Hugh van Cuylenburg Wife and Children
Hugh van Cuylenburg is married to Penny Moodie. Penny has been open about her lifelong struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and her experiences have been shared on their popular podcast The Imperfects. Together, they have three children: Benji, Elsie, and Patrick.
Hugh van Cuylenburg Net Worth
Hugh van Cuylenburg has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million as of 2024.
Hugh van Cuylenburg Instagram presence and handle
Hugh van Cuylenburg is active on Instagram under the handle @hughvancuylenburg. He often shares insights related to his work with The Resilience Project, personal experiences, and tips on mental health and resilience.
FAQs
What is Hugh van Cuylenburg known for?
Hugh van Cuylenburg is best known as the founder of The Resilience Project, a program focused on improving mental health and well-being through the principles of gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness.
What inspired Hugh to create The Resilience Project?
While volunteering at a school in the Himalayas, Hugh noticed the incredible resilience and happiness of the children living in poverty. This experience inspired him to create The Resilience Project to help others cultivate mental resilience.
What are Hugh’s main teachings?
Hugh emphasizes three key pillars for mental health: gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness. His programs aim to help people practice these concepts to improve their overall well-being.
Has Hugh written any books?
Yes, Hugh is the author of two best-selling books: The Resilience Project (2019) and Let Go (2022), both of which focus on mental health, resilience, and personal growth.
What is Hugh’s background in education?
Hugh has over 17 years of experience in education, working as a teacher in both primary and secondary schools. His background in education helped shape The Resilience Project, which has reached over 1,000 schools across Australia.
Does Hugh host a podcast?
Yes, Hugh co-hosts The Imperfects podcast with his brother Josh and comedian Ryan Shelton. The podcast discusses mental health, vulnerability, and resilience, featuring a variety of guests.
Has Hugh worked with sports teams?
Yes, Hugh has worked with elite sports teams, including the Australian Cricket Team, the Australian Netball Team, and several AFL and NRL clubs, delivering workshops on mental resilience.
