Bouncing back to deliver happiness to others

Unconditional. Compassionate. Selfless

Julian Pace has severe dyslexia and dropped out of school at the age of thirteen after being bullied.

However, thousands of people around the world are happier because of him and Happiness Co, which he founded to tackle depression and loneliness through face-to-face and online programs.

Happiness Co promotes connection, kindness and contribution to the world. One of the reasons for its success is a focus on personal fulfilment, not just achievements and material objects, says Julian.

“Everyone in life wants and needs to achieve some things, like becoming a parent or having a job. But if we can get the balance right, we have a greater chance of achieving happiness.

“I’ve had the opportunity to impact over fifty thousand lives,” he says, with participants accessing his online programs from countries including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Canada and India.

Julian was inspired to start Happiness Co because of his own mental health issues, and he feels proud and humbled to be voted a Westfield Local Hero.

His lowest point came with the suicide of his father on his twenty-first birthday, and Happiness Co is dedicated to his memory.

“The programs I have created include a twenty-one-day challenge, a ten-week mentorship, workshops and one-on-one coaching,” says Julian, who has branched out into workplace programs and programs that help school students with self-confidence, bullying and body image issues.

Julian was told by school teachers that he would never get an education because he couldn’t read or write. However, he has been teaching himself and aims to read sixty books this year.

“I like to increase awareness that you are in control of your own happiness,” he says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. Happiness Co’s grant will help with youth suicide prevention programs.

“Youth suicide is on the rise,” says Julian. “We want to provide some powerful programs that will give young men and women the resources and tools to use before they face problems with their mental wellbeing.”

If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 13 11 14

__For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here. __