35: Bringing Mindfulness & Compassion Skills to 11,000 Kids with JG Larochette

Welcome to The Mindful FIRE Podcast, where we explore living mindfully on the path to financial independence and beyond. I’m your host Adam Coelho and I’m so glad you’re here.

On today’s episode of the podcast, I’m joined by my new friend JG Larochette, the founder of Mindful Life Project, a direct service mindfulness non-profit teaching mindfulness and compassion to over 11,000 kids across 25 schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the US. 

I am so blown away by the work that JG and Mindful Life Project are doing to support young people with mindfulness and compassion, that I’ll be matching all donations up to $500. And because of the generosity of my employer, Google, my $500 will be matched as well, effectively tripling the impact of your donation. All donations are tax deductible and will go directly to bringing mindfulness and compassion to more students across the country. 

Please follow these instructions to ensure JG knows how many donations they received that will be matched by me (up to $500) and which will also be matched by Google as well. 

Steps to 3X your donation to Mindful Life Project online:

1. Go directly to Mindful Life Project’s Donate Page
2. Select your donation amount
3. Check the box “Add a dedication” 
4. Choose “On Behalf Of” and enter “Mindful FIRE”
5. Enter your payment information
6. Submit your donation

If you prefer to mail a check:

1. Make the check out to “Mindful Life Project”
2. Include “Mindful FIRE” on the memo line.
3. Mail your check to:
   • Mindful Life Project
   • 124 Washington Avenue, Suite B 
   • Richmond, California 94801

In today’s episode JG shares how he came to mindfulness in his own life after finding himself burned out after teaching for a number of years in the Richmond public schools, which he absolutely loved. And he shares how finding the practice inspired him to bring it into his classroom and how he, together with his third graders came up with the idea that grew into the Mindful Life Project. 

JG also goes into detail about the two main programs Mindful LIfe Project of

Join the Mindful FIRE Legends community at MindfulFIRE.org/join.

PS: Introducing the… 🔥 FIRE Starter Group Coaching Program

You did the “money” part. You saved, invested, and built real options. But if you’re being honest… FU money alone isn’t enough—and you might still feel stuck in “one more year syndrome,” unclear on what you actually want next.

In 10 weeks or less, we’ll help you get clear on what you want—and start living it now—using envisioning, mindfulness, and practical mini-experiments (not endless overthinking).

Interested? Let’s chat: https://mindfulfire.org/chat

🔥 WHO I’m creating this for

This is for you if you’re at or near FI (Coast FI or full FIRE) and:

• You feel stuck after “doing everything right,” but you’re not sure what you’re optimizing for anymore.
• You’re caught between freedom and overwhelm (“I could do anything… so I do nothing”).
• You want clarity and momentum—but you don’t want someone to tell you what to do.

🔥 WHAT we’ll do together (over 10 weeks)

In a small group (mastermind-style), you’ll:

• Get clear on what you actually want (beyond expectations, comparison, and “shoulds”).
• Create a big, meaningful vision for your next chapter—one that fits who you are now.
• Learn the brain science behind envisioning (why it works, and how to use it).
• Turn yo...