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  • The Resilience Project

  • Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness
  • By: Hugh van Cuylenburg
  • Narrated by: Hugh van Cuylenburg
  • Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (8,205 ratings)

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The Resilience Project

By: Hugh van Cuylenburg
Narrated by: Hugh van Cuylenburg
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Editorial Reviews

In The Resilience Project, a teacher shares the life-changing lessons he learned from his underprivileged students — including the three keys to happiness.

Whilst volunteering as a primary school teacher in northern India, author Hugh van Cuylenburg found himself wondering why his students were so overwhelmingly positive. These children lived in poverty, hunger and hardship. Yet, they did not seem to suffer like many children back home in Australia, who, despite being well taken care of, struggled with depression, social anxieties and eating disorders. Gradually, he uncovered the secret to his students’ contentment and resilience. They possessed three remarkable traits: gratitude, empathy and mindfulness.    

In The Resilience Project, van Cuylenburg shares this revelation and the tools he’s identified to live a happier and more fulfilling life. In this audiobook, which he narrates himself, the author explains his findings with a lighthearted and humorous delivery much like his live-talk presentations. 

The Resilience Project and its teachings are integrated in Australian school curriculums, sporting institutions such as the National Rugby League and large corporations. Download and hear van Cuylenburg talk about his personal experiences and shed light on evidence-based research that informed the title and lessons within. 

As you listen to this thought-provoking audiobook and absorb its epiphanies, you will be inspired to take a step towards living each day with gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. The authenticity of van Cuylenburg’s voice in narrating his work adds another dimension to this personal development title, turning it into a deeply personal experience.

Publisher's Summary

Hugh van Cuylenburg was a primary school teacher volunteering in northern India when he had a life-changing realisation: despite the underprivileged community the children were from, they were remarkably positive.

By contrast, back in Australia Hugh knew that all too many children struggled with depression, social anxieties and mental illness. His own little sister had been ravaged by anorexia nervosa.

How was it that young people he knew at home, who had food, shelter, friends and a loving family, struggled with their mental health, while these kids seemed so contented and resilient? He set about finding the answer and in time came to recognise the key traits and behaviours these children possessed were gratitude, empathy and mindfulness.

In the ensuing years Hugh worked tirelessly to study and share this revelation with the world. He launched The Resilience Project, which has become part of the curriculum in many schools and he tours Australia talking to parents, educators, corporations, CEOs and sporting elite. 

Now, with the same blend of humour, poignancy and clear-eyed insight that The Resilience Project has become renowned for, Hugh explains how we can all get the necessary tools to live a happier, more contented and fulfilling life.

©2019 Hugh van Cuylenburg (P)2019 Penguin Random House Australia

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What listeners say about The Resilience Project

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Hugh keep up the great work.

I suffer terrible anxiety from a workplace injury 5 years ago that has shattered what my life once was.
it's so difficult to do the most simple daily tasks at times, I find I'm leaving the dinner table to hide and have a cry without my 5yo or wife noticing.
This book I finnished in 2 sittings, just did not want to stop and bought me to tears more than once.
I really feel this is a movement that will change everything.
There is hope.
DIS.

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87 people found this helpful

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  • Jo
  • 06-12-2019

I don't like self-help books

But this isn't like that. The author doesn't purport to be a guru, just a regular bloke with a message.

I can tell you this book will change you. That's all I can say. You need to download it. Now.

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61 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not for me.

No doubt he is a great guy who’s done great work with his talks and is super passionate but the book doesn’t deliver what it promises. The book is really just a whole bunch of life stories, lots of boring sport stories, lots of name dropping and some humble style patting himself on the back. Very generalised in the content and I still don’t actually know the nuts and bolts of ‘GEM’. Probably could have been delivered in 30 mins.

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53 people found this helpful

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  • DDD
  • 24-03-2020

Good but not what I expected

If you are looking for a history of the resilience program based in Australia or more stories from of its founder, this book is for you.
However if you are someone looking for help with developing resilience or a teacher wanting to find more strategies to implement it, maybe consider another book.

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35 people found this helpful

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A 5 hour promotion of the project

This is a five hour promotion of The Resilience Project and how good and important they are. It has quite a bit of name dropping to support this! It didn't feel authentic and as a sufferer of anxiety and depression I was looking forward to learning real skills and tips to take away.. apparently I will have to also pay to attend a resilience project presentation to receive that detail. Appreciate the good work the project is doing but I think I misunderstood the point of the book.. I couldn't say it helped me if that was in fact the purpose.

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32 people found this helpful

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Wow

Such an incredible story....I laughed, nodded, and cried. Most of all, I’m inspired all over again to help make a difference to the students I teach.

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24 people found this helpful

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Simply life changing

This book has had a seismic positive impact on mine and my family’s life. I have just ordered 20 copies of the paperback as gifts. Listen to it again and again.

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22 people found this helpful

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must read

This is a powerful, heart warming guide for how to live life better. It is something I will read again.

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12 people found this helpful

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Best book for personal development

engaging from the start, inspirational throughout and entertaining right to the ebd. couldnt recommend more. was disappointed when it was over!

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12 people found this helpful

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A very long advertisement

This book was a fun listen. Inspiring stories and all that but in the end, it seems to be an advert for a product. He discusses how his techniques are awesome but doesn't actually give you anything to work with. That costs extra. So if you want to pay for an inspiring advertisement, get this book.

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8 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 25-01-2020

The Greatest Book of All Time..

In terms of influence this book will achieve the status of Atlas Shrugged. I would highly recommend it.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 26-08-2021

READ dis!

Wonderful truths birthed in a humble heart of openness. Walked away with many gems and am grateful in particular for his sharing on how he adapts grateful and wanting to help others phikosphy onto his business projections. "Be in the moment, grateful and look after now and give it 100%, the future is one now at a time!" I'm paraphrasing, but that's the point. Each of us takes what we need from this exceptional book.

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1 person found this helpful

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  • Eric
  • 12-07-2021

A good autobiography about the author's journey

This book is more of an autobiography by the author about his journey in building the resilience project. It is less about how to implement the underlying principles of the project itself offers. The author narrated the book well and delivered many heartfelt sentimental stories. Even if you're not a big sports fan, or don't understand the game of cricket, the stories are still relatable.

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  • Simone B.
  • 18-01-2021

Good lesson

Great message that I take to heart, aspire to practice in my life daily, and will share with others. Glad I enjoyed this as an audiobook, as I would likely not have had the patience to read the predominantly sport related anecdotes of the author, and the many testaments of how much the authors speeches have impacted his audience. I recommend this audiobook to others.

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  • Kalyan Voruganti
  • 04-08-2020

Wow what a book

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. It was recommended by a neighbour. I was slightly worried it would be full of hippy stuff.

I could not have been more wrong. It involves simple acts to improve your happiness and wellbeing and more importantly to help give your children tools to prevent/manage anxiety and depression. As a parent of two this is something that important in how I raise them.

It is a simple read through a series of stories which makes it easily relatable.

My only criticism would be where to go
next. I know there are workbooks etc and that he is trying to avoid selling but some more info at the end would have been useful.

Highly recommended. There are people who this book will actually change their lives.

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  • Judith Young
  • 21-07-2020

Authentic & from the Heart

Hugh is an incredible storyteller & inspires as he informs. As a resilience based mindfulness trainer & coach, I got a lot from this book, and I also feel that I can recommend it to the people with whom I work and also friends & family who are interested. It's that approachable & enjoyable. Thanks for the work you're doing, Hugh!

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  • C.Platanos
  • 03-12-2023

Beautiful!

If you are exploring listening to an authentic and inspiring book, here it is! The author is an amazing being sharing his journey with the reader. His stories draw you in and leave you in awe and inspired. It also allows you to reflect on your own wellbeing practices along with sharing with others. Wonderful!

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  • Angus Pyke
  • 06-01-2023

Moved me to tears!

Loved this book.
Listened to it in one sitting over a long drive.
A powerful message that is beautiful delivered by the author.
Loads of stunning stories.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 11-08-2022

This audible will change your life!!

Thank you for such an incredible story that made me reflect and make some awesome changes moving forward that I look forward to also sharing with the people around me.

Very inspiring.

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  • Troy
  • 21-07-2022

Wow this book is incredible

I loved the information in this book. GEM is a fantastic system. Fully enjoyed the read and the way it was presented was great. I highly recommend listening to this book.

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  • J
  • 29-07-2023

Definitely worth your time

An honest, thought-provoking and encouraging book, that was also enjoyable to listen to. Thank you

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  • stacey
  • 17-06-2023

Vital reminders for modern life.

Really enjoyable, engaging, and thought provoking read. Hugh helps to simplify modern life with valuable observations promoting humanity. Recommended to friends and acquaintances.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 14-05-2023

An inspiring book

What a wonderful account of suffering and friendship. Hugh’s book is inspiring. Let the story continue

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  • Kate
  • 08-04-2023

An excellent read, total game changer

I thought this was an inspiring read. I'd highly recommend it. It really gets you to reevaluate where you are in life and gets you to try a new approach using GEM. It was a nice quick read too. My only single critique is that the author praised the hard work and efforts of his new colleague saying that he even sacrificed time away from his young family - I think that's a desperate thing to praise. The biggest regret people habe in life is not spending enough time with their young kids, absolutely no job (even one working with the resilience project) is worth loosing valuable time with your young kids, they need you most.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 26-02-2023

Check it out

Very good listen and not too long.
Incredible journey and some powerful stories. Definitely worth a listen.

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  • greg Stevens
  • 18-01-2023

very useful book to point to help

I don't think this is a self help book: It is more his story about bringing resilience learning to a wider audience, and as such is a good listen. I got the book because resilience is something I need to work on but there wasn't enough information to be comprehensive. It might have been nice to have included the journals mentioned in the book with the audiobook, as these might be useful. on the whole I am glad to have read this inspiring book

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  • RF
  • 10-01-2023

riveting

I'd not heard of Hugh before this and I'm not interested in sport, but this didn't matter at all, his story was riveting. Told beautifully with really valuable content. His program should be taught to everyone, we all need gratitude, empathy and mindfulness.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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  • Amazon Customer
  • 03-01-2023

Not what I expected

I’d have loved more about what the Resilience Project actually is. It felt like a pleasant boast.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 15-12-2022

Fantastic

Great honest listen through the origin of the resilience project as well as detailed examples throughout the book. Vulnerability at its best. Highly recommend any to read this book as you will get something out if it.

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  • Ms. A. Roberts
  • 07-07-2022

Quite repetitive all in the title

I didn't like this book, I listened to all but an hour and a half.
It is quite repetitive, and seems to be born from his guilt for not being the best brother, and his quest to put the world right, then boasting about his accomplishments.

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