We all have the capacity to be well. We just need to amplify it.

We get out of bed each day – to help you discover your strengths, move beyond your fears, and discover how to truly thrive with confidence as you navigate the highs and lows of life.

as seen in:

Why two heads are better than one.

We believe that helping yourself and others to care for wellbeing is one of the most challenging and rewarding opportunities you can be given. But who knew just how hard it could be some days? It’s why we show up each day – to help you navigate struggle, move beyond your fears, live authentically, and discover how to truly thrive.

Here’s our official story. As best-selling authors, wellbeing coaches, and playful change activators, Dr. Michelle McQuaid and psychologist Danielle Jacobs are passionate about translating cutting-edge research from neuroscience, positive psychology, and wellbeing, into practical strategies that help amplify levels of wellbeing ability, motivation, and psychological safety to supercharge wellbeing and performance.

After spending more than twenty years in senior roles around the world and seeing the challenges many people face to consistently bring out the best in themselves and others, we were each curious about what the latest research in human behavior might offer to help people care for their wellbeing. Separately, we both embarked on learning adventures with leading scientists – Michelle completed her Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology and her Ph.D. in Positive Systems Change, and Danielle completed her psychology study and became a registered psychologist in 2005. Then we teamed up to tackle our greatest challenge – how could we make the science practical, effective, and affordable for even the busiest of people?

Highlights of our work:

1994

Michelle climbs public relations ranks and becomes the youngest general manager for a large advertising firm. Along the way, she loses 100 sheep in the middle of Melbourne.

2001

Michelle travels the world working for IBM and PwC and becomes global brand director in New York. She realizes most efforts to change people’s behavior get compliance, but rarely commitment.

2005

Danielle becomes registered as a psychologist. Along the way, she discovers her passion for assisting people with injuries and/or disabilities to re-enter the work force.

2008

Michelle flies from Melbourne to Philly every three weeks to complete a Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree. Along the way, she loses her passport but still manages to convince customs to let her into the country.

2008

Danielle commences work at Worksafe Victoria. Along the way, thanks to an altercation with a stubborn lawn mower, she ruptures two disks and develops life-long chronic pain.

2009

Michelle joins PwC Australia’s HR team and uses positive psychology to build a thriving firm culture. Along the way, she teaches thousands of accountants and auditors the value of caring for their wellbeing.

2017

Danielle joins forces with positive psychology giant Dr. Tal Ben Shahar. Along the way, training her rescue dog to be a therapy dog and volunteering in palliative and aged care facilties.

2019

Michelle completes her Ph.D. and co-creates The Wellbeing Lab with Danielle. They create The PERMAH Wellbeing Survey with Dr. Peggy Kern from the University of Melbourne’s Center For Wellbeing Science.

HERE'S WHAT INDUSTRY LEADERS SAY ABOUT US:

"Michelle's energy and vision lift everyone around her. She is a high-quality person and I recommend her fully."

Professor David Cooperrider

Founder of Appreciative Inquiry

"Michelle is one of the world's leaders in designing and implementing positive psychology interventions to workplaces."

Professor Martin Seligman

Founder of Positive Psychology

"Michelle offers great insights into how your mindset can turn even the most challenging situations into opportunities."

Professor Carol Dweck

Stanford University

"Michelle is a global leader in using the VIA Survey to boost growth and productivity."

Neal Mayerson

Founder, VIA Institute

Designing and delivering practical strategies that amplify wellbeing.

I bring together over two decades of senior leadership experience in small and large organizations around the world, with the latest wellbeing science to design and deliver practical wellbeing strategies. An honorary fellow at Melbourne University’s Centre for Wellbeing Science, I hold a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania with Professor Martin Seligman and a Ph.D. in Creating Positive Change under the supervision of Professor David Cooperrider and have the privilege of constantly playing with the world’s leading wellbeing researchers. I also blog for Psychology Today, host a top-rated podcast, and am privileged to have my work featured in Forbes, the Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, The Age, and more because of the creative ways I translate the latest research into easy, everyday actions for individuals, teams, workplaces, schools, and communities.

Maximize the return on your wellbeing investments – make your efforts count.

I am a registered psychologist and tiny habits coach, who views people, teams, and organizations as “infinite sources of possibilities” rather than “problems to be fixed”. Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with clients locally, nationally, and globally to help them cross the knowing-to-doing barrier by using the best available science to achieve the outcomes that matter most to them and the people, workplaces, schools, and communities they care most about.