In this deeply eye-opening episode of the SuperSelf Podcast Series, Pete Ferrari sits down with Heather Lee, licensed therapist and psychedelic healing practitioner with 30+ years of clinical experience, to explore the transformative potential of psilocybin-assisted therapy for trauma, emotional healing, and inner reconnection.

Heather, one of the first certified therapists trained through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute (linked to leading research institutions including Johns Hopkins), shares how plant-based medicine works on the brain’s default mode network, why it’s often described as a “reboot” for the mind, and how guided psychedelic journeys can help people process long-buried memories, grief, and unresolved emotional wounds in a safe, structured, and therapeutic setting.

From trauma release and inner child healing to intuition, integration, and the importance of proper therapeutic containers, this conversation demystifies psychedelic healing and separates clinical, intentional work from recreational use.

This is not about escapism. It’s about reconnection, rewiring, and reclaiming your inner wisdom.

Episode Highlights:

• 03:20 – What psilocybin actually is (fungi, not a plant) and its safety profile

• 10:15 – Natural healing vs. chemical dependency mindset

• 18:20 – The ripple effect: relationships, habits, and emotional regulation shifts

• 23:40 – Fear, anxiety, and constricted vs. expansive emotional states

• 25:40 – Red flags in the psychedelic space (pop-up centers & untrained guides)

• 33:10 – One journey vs. multiple sessions: what’s actually necessary

• 42:40 – Common outcomes: feeling lighter, calmer, and less emotionally triggered

• 43:30 – Do journeys go to one memory or multiple chapters of healing?

Key Takeaways:

• Psilocybin acts like a mental reboot. It loosens rigid brain patterns and allows outdated narratives, trauma, and emotional residue to be revisited and processed.

• The medicine is the catalyst, not the therapist. A trained practitioner creates safety and integration, but the healing insights come from within.

• Trauma is stored until it’s processed. Psychedelic journeys often bring forward unresolved memories, inner child wounds, and emotional imprints for healing.

• Healing is not one-size-fits-all. Some people need one session, others benefit from periodic “psycho-spiritual tune-ups.”

• Ethical guidance matters. Proper training, credentials, preparation sessions, and integration support are critical for safe therapeutic work.

• The ripple effect is powerful. Many report reduced anxiety, healthier habits, improved relationships, and deeper intuition after guided journeys.

• Fear constricts, healing expands. Psilocybin experiences often shift people from fear-based thinking into trust, clarity, and emotional spaciousness.

About the Guest:

Heather Lee is a licensed therapist with over 30 years of experience and one of the first certified psychedelic-assisted therapy practitioners trained through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. She specializes in psilocybin-assisted healing, trauma release, and helping individuals reconnect with their intuition and inner wisdom through safe, structured therapeutic journeys.

Heather is known for her integrative approach that combines preparation, guided journey work, and long-term integration to support deep psycho-spiritual healing.

Connect with Heather Lee:

• Website: https://heatheralee.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherleewellness/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.a.lee.79

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-a-lee-lcsw-2a713567/

This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.

Jaca is a revolutionary rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects. www.jacasugar.com

In this practical, no-nonsense episode of the SuperSelf Podcast Series, Pete Ferrari sits down with Andrew Colsky, licensed mental health clinician, sleep science expert, and founder of the National Sleep Center, to break down what’s really behind modern insomnia and why most “quick fixes” make it worse.

Andrew (aka the Sleep Science Guy) explains why insomnia is often a learned behavioral pattern, how modern life (hello, electricity, inconsistent schedules, stimulants, and sleep trackers) trains the brain to stay alert at the exact moment it needs to power down, and what to do instead.

From “trying to sleep” anxiety, to 3 a.m. wake-ups, to the myth of needing exactly 8 hours, this episode is a straightforward reset on what sleep actually needs: consistency, conditioning, and a calmer relationship with bedtime.

Episode Highlights:

• 06:24 Why insomnia is often “behavioral” (and why modern schedules confuse the brain)

• 11:30 Caffeine, energy drinks, and the hidden sleep debt spiral

• 13:40 Orthosomnia: when sleep trackers create sleep problems

• 14:25 Melatonin explained (what it actually does, and why big doses backfire)

• 23:00 The bed rule: sleep + intimacy only (no scrolling, eating, working)

• 26:17 Why people wake up around 3 a.m. (sleep cycles + lighter stages)

• 30:25 How sleep changes as we age, and why less sleep isn’t always “bad”

• 35:25 The simplest sleep upgrades that actually move the needle

Key Takeaways:

• Insomnia is often behavioral, not mysterious. Your brain learns sleep patterns, good or bad, based on routine.

• “Trying to sleep” is the trap. Worrying, clock-watching, and calculating hours create anxiety that blocks sleep.

• Caffeine has a long tail. That 3–4 p.m. pick-me-up can still be active in your system at bedtime.

• Sleep trackers can backfire. Chasing perfect sleep metrics can create anxiety and worsen sleep (orthosomnia).

• Melatonin isn’t a knockout pill. It’s a “wind-down signal,” and high doses can cause next-day fog and disrupted sleep.

• CBT-I works because it retrains the system. Consistent wake times, stimulus control, and sleep conditioning are the foundation.

• Your bed must mean sleep. If you’re awake and alert, get out of bed. Don’t train your brain that the bed is for stress.

• The “8-hour rule” is a myth. Sleep needs vary by person and change with age. Quality and consistency matter most.

About the Guest:

Andrew Colsky, a distinguished attorney and licensed mental health clinician, is a pioneering force in the field of sleep science, behavioral therapy, and mental health advocacy. Known widely as "The Sleep Science Guy," Andrew brings a unique blend of scientific rigor, therapeutic insight, and compassionate advocacy to his work, making him one of the leading voices in sleep health and wellness. As the host of the “Sleep Science Today” radio show and founder of the National Sleep Center, Andrew’s mission is clear: to democratize access to high-quality sleep science and promote sleep as an essential pillar of well-being.

Andrew's expertise spans multiple dimensions of sleep health, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares (CBT-N), and treatment of various sleep disorders. His commitment to advancing sleep science has led him to complete his behavioral sleep medicine training, including a prestigious mini-fellowship in sleep science from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, further solidifying his credentials.

Connect with Andrew Colsky:

• Website: https://www.thesleepscienceguy.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepsciencetoday/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SleepScienceToday

This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.

Jaca is a revolutionary rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects. www.jacasugar.com

In this episode of the SuperSelf Podcast Series, Pete Ferrari sits down with Dr. Kevin Smith, functional medicine practitioner and founder of the Chronic Conditions Center in Pennsylvania, to unpack what “root-cause healthcare” really looks like, and why so many people stay stuck in fatigue, brain fog, and chronic symptoms even when their labs look “normal.”

Dr. Smith breaks down the key differences between allopathic medicine (symptom suppression) and functional medicine (identifying and correcting root causes), explaining why fatigue is often a cellular energy problem, not simply a sleep problem, and why gut health is central to everything from immune function to cognition and mood.

They also dive into the supplement industry, the hidden quality gaps between what’s sold at big box stores vs. professional-grade products, and why “cheap” supplements can be the most expensive choice if they don’t absorb or work.

If you’re tired of feeling tired, overwhelmed by conflicting health advice, or curious about how a more personalized approach could change your life, this conversation will give you clarity, and a better framework for making decisions about your health.

Episode Highlights:

• 05:35 What functional medicine is, and how it differs from conventional care

• 09:25 Why fatigue is often a cellular/mitochondrial issue (not just sleep)

• 12:40 The 3PM crash, caffeine dependence, and what it can really signal

• 16:45 Why the gut is considered the body’s “second brain”

• 19:40 Supplements: the 4 levels of quality (and why most don’t work)

• 22:05 What “GMP tested” really matters for (purity, heavy metals, accuracy)

• 34:00 Polypharmacy: why mixing multiple drugs creates unknown risks

• 37:55 How long real metabolic change takes (and why it’s not “2-week results”)

Key Takeaways:

• Functional medicine focuses on root cause, not symptom suppression.

• Fatigue is often a cellular energy issue (nutrients, mitochondria, ATP), not simply “lack of sleep.”

• Gut health impacts brain function, mood, sleep, and immunity, it’s not “just digestion.”

• Most supplements fail because they’re low-quality, poorly absorbed, or untested.

• Professional-grade supplements are independently verified for purity and label accuracy.

• Taking multiple medications together creates unknown interactions, and can compound side effects.

• Personalized testing beats guesswork when deciding what your body actually needs.

About the Guest:

Dr. Kevin Smith, DC, is a functional medicine practitioner and founder of the Chronic Conditions Center in Pittsburgh, PA. He specializes in helping people understand and fix the root causes of chronic health problems, including gut issues, autoimmunity, chronic pain, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, insulin resistance, and inflammation, using natural, non-invasive methods.

After years of seeing patients struggle with symptoms that conventional medicine only managed rather than resolved, Dr. Smith dedicated his career to a deeper approach: restoring balance to the gut, nervous system, and metabolic pathways so the body can actually heal.

He blends functional lab testing, nutrition, nervous system regulation, detoxification strategies, structural correction, and lifestyle upgrades to help people get their lives back, especially those who feel like they've “tried everything” without results.

Connect with Dr. Kevin:

• Website: https://www.chronicpa.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cccpa1

• Twitter: https://x.com/kevinsmithdc

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinsmithdc/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsmithdc/

This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.

Jaca is a revolutionary rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects. www.jacasugar.com

In this deeply moving episode of the SuperSelf Podcast Series, Pete Ferrari sits down with Kanika, a former engineer and MBA turned Akashic Records reader and Energy Expansion Coach, for a powerful conversation about grief, awakening, and what it means to rebuild your life from the inside out.

Kanika shares the “before and after” of her transformation: a life that looked perfect on the outside but felt hollow behind closed doors, the devastating loss of her daughter at 31 weeks, and the spiritual surrender that followed. What came next wasn’t just healing, it was purpose.

Together, Pete and Kanika explore the concept of the Soul Blueprint, why your current life may only be one “slice” of a much bigger story, and how clearing energetic imprints can unlock creativity, confidence, self-worth, and even business growth. This episode is raw, spiritual, grounded, and surprisingly practical, especially for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from their spark.

Episode Highlights:

• 04:10 The “perfect life” illusion and what was really happening behind the scenes

• 10:10 Why social media can be a vehicle for denial and how to quiet the noise

• 16:30 Soul Blueprint explained through the “whole apple” analogy

• 24:40 “Next-level version” anchoring: the cheat sheet for alignment and growth

• 32:10 What happens during Akashic healing: archangels, ancestral work, inner child work

• 39:15 Physical signs of energetic clearing (release)

Key Takeaways:

• A life that looks “perfect” externally can still be deeply misaligned internally.

• Grief can be a breaking point, but it can also become a portal to purpose.

• Healing becomes faster when you stop asking “Why me?” as a victim and start asking, “Why me?” with curiosity.

• Your current life may be one small slice of a much bigger soul story and your “whole apple.”

• Flow begins when self-worth becomes internal and is not dependent on validation, outcomes, or approval.

• When you embody your next-level identity, opportunities find you in everyday places.

About the Guest:

Kanika is an Energy Expansion Coach, Akashic Records reader, and former engineer and MBA who blends strategic clarity with deep energetic work to help clients heal, expand, and step into their highest potential.

She supports individuals through personal transformation, grief, identity shifts, self-worth, emotional healing, and helps conscious coaches and spiritual entrepreneurs build profitable, aligned businesses, often reaching consistent 10K+ months through a mix of energy clearing and practical business strategy.

Connect with Kanika

• Website: https://artoflifecenter.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanikaenergycoach/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanikaenergycoach/

• Business Clarity Quiz: artoflifecenter.com/quiz

This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.

Jaca is a revolutionary rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects. www.jacasugar.com

In this high-impact episode of the SuperSelf Podcast Series, Pete Ferrari sits down with Tim Ward, fitness and longevity mentor, author, and founder of the Fitness Quadrant system, to break down what actually moves the needle in health and performance—especially for busy adults who are tired of “trying everything” and getting nowhere.

Tim shares how athletics became his refuge from early trauma, and how hitting repeated training plateaus led him to an exercise scientist who changed everything: the human body doesn’t transform through effort alone—it transforms through the right stimulus, the right mechanics, and the right recovery.

From muscle growth science and biomechanics (and why poor form shuts down muscle activation), to the hidden downside of excessive cardio, to why body composition matters more than scale weight, this episode is a masterclass in cutting through fitness noise and building a sustainable, longevity-focused lifestyle.

Episode Highlights:

• 04:45 Tim’s early athletic life—and why sports became his “safe place”

• 11:40 The Fitness Quadrant explained: Resistance, Nutrition, Cardio, Recovery

• 15:55 Why leading with cardio can sabotage muscle (and fat loss)

• 18:55 Biomechanics 101: why form dictates results (and injury risk)

• 21:35 GTOs + muscle activation: how torque shuts down strength output

• 30:10 Body composition vs scale weight: same weight, totally different body

• 33:50 Bloodwork + custom supplementation: removing guesswork from health

• 39:10 Gym trainer myths, bad programming, and why injuries happen

• 46:05 Why 12 weeks works—and why “quick fixes” fail

Key Takeaways:

• Hard work doesn’t beat bad mechanics—knowledge breaks plateaus.

• Resistance training is the only true stimulus for muscle growth and long-term metabolism.

• Too much cardio can trigger muscle breakdown and stall body composition goals.

• If your form is off, your body protects itself by reducing muscle activation—which limits gains.

• The scale can lie: body composition matters more than body weight.

• Sustainable results come from systems, not motivation spikes or “wedding deadlines.”

• 12 weeks is realistic because it builds momentum—and momentum creates lifestyle change.

• Your fitness practice improves more than your body—it upgrades your mind, mood, patience, and relationships.

About the Guest:

Timothy Ward is a fitness and longevity mentor, founder of The Fitness Quadrant™ and LifeStrong, and the creator of the Fitness Quadrant System™ and M.I.T. (Modified Interval Training) protocols. He helps high-achieving professionals—CEOs, executives, and business owners—push back against aging and reclaim strength, energy, and vitality through science-backed, time-efficient training systems.

With decades of experience in fitness science, Timothy specializes in building strength, mobility, endurance, and metabolic health without ineffective routines or wasted time. His methods have helped countless professionals achieve measurable results in as little as 12 weeks.

Now in his 60s, Timothy is a living example of what’s possible through disciplined training and informed movement. Drawing from a powerful personal journey—from a traumatic childhood to a life rebuilt through fitness—he is also the author of The Goat Within, a call to action for adults over 45 who refuse to fade into weakness and decline.

Connect with Tim Ward

Website: https://fitnessquadrant.net/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-timothy-ward/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitnessquadrant

The GOAT Within: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1969063076

This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.

Jaca is a revolutionary rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects. www.jacasugar.com

In this powerful episode of the SuperSelf Podcast Series, Pete Ferrari sits down with Ty Gipson, entrepreneur, speaker, and resilience-driven leader, to unpack a life story defined not by limitations, but by choice.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, Ty endured multiple organ failures, dialysis, and three life-saving transplants, including kidneys donated by his mother and wife, and a pancreas from an anonymous donor. Instead of adopting a victim mindset, Ty chose a philosophy he now calls “No Options” which is a way of living that rejects excuses, embraces responsibility, and finds purpose through adversity.

This episode is a raw, honest conversation about resilience, mindset, leadership, gratitude, and why helping others may be the most powerful form of healing there is.

Episode Highlights:

• 05:10 Early insulin pump technology

• 11:20 Life without diabetes—12 years of borrowed health

• 16:40 The No Options mindset explained

• 19:30 Ty’s 3-Step Mental Framework

• 27:00 Small wins, momentum, and lifestyle change

• 31:15 Why telling your story matters more than you think

• 34:45 Organ donation & changing lives through vulnerability

• 36:10 Where people really go wrong—and how to reset

Key Takeaways:

• Adversity does not define you, your response does.

• A “No Options” mindset eliminates excuses and forces growth.

• Small steps build momentum, and momentum changes lives.

• Gratitude transforms survival into purpose.

• Sharing your story can save lives - literally.

• Giving back doesn’t require money, status, or perfection, just presence.

• Helping others often heals us more than anything else.

About the Guest:

Ty Gipson is an entrepreneur, public speaker, and resilience-driven leader best known for his No Options philosophy.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, Ty has survived kidney failure, dialysis, and multiple organ transplants, including kidneys donated by his mother and wife, and a pancreas from an anonymous donor. Rather than seeing adversity as a limitation, Ty turned it into fuel for leadership, business ownership, service, and impact.

He is a Small Business Owner of the Year, recipient of the Service to Mankind Award, and an active leader in youth development through the Boys & Girls Club of America. His mission is simple but profound: help people reclaim control of their mindset and realize they are far more capable than they’ve been told.

Connect with Ty Gipson

• Website: https://tygipson.com

• Podcast: No Options

• Twitter: https://x.com/ty_gipson

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-gipson-336b84b/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tygipson1/

This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.

Jaca is a revolutionary rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects. www.jacasugar.com

Pain isn’t “just getting older.” In this episode, Pete Ferrari sits down with Leigh Brandon, functional medicine practitioner, CHEK practitioner, and pain-rehab specialist, to unpack a practical, root-cause approach to chronic pain that goes far beyond symptom management.

Leigh explains why pain is often a message (not the enemy), and how the fastest path to lasting relief usually comes from addressing the three core drivers of pain: structural alignment, nutrition/inflammation, and nervous system sensitivity. You’ll also hear powerful real-world stories, from a dancer reclaiming her career, to a rugby player ending a 3-year injury cycle, to a client whose pain resolved when she healed a long-buried relationship wound.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, stuck on painkillers, or told “it’s just in your head,” this conversation will give you clarity, hope, and a framework you can start applying immediately.

Episode Highlights:

• 03:10 – Why pain is a signal (and what most people get wrong)

• 13:05 – Pain + sleep: why it becomes a vicious cycle

• 23:15 – Nutrition + compliance: replacement strategies that actually work

• 30:20 – Why doctors treat symptoms (and why patients feel gaslit)

• 41:05 – Inflammation triggers: sugar, seed oils, dairy, gluten + gut irritation

• 52:15 – Trauma + pain: reading the body like a map (left side & communication)

• 55:20 – Nonviolent communication & healing a 25-year pain pattern

• 57:00 – Try this first: quiet reflection before you seek outside help

Key Takeaways:

• Pain is information, a message from your subconscious to your conscious mind that something needs attention.

• Chronic pain (often 3+ months) isn’t always about tissue damage, sometimes the nervous system is stuck in overdrive.

• Most people don’t lack time, they lack prioritized systems. Sustainable rehab requires manageable steps and buy-in.

• Behavior change matters as much as the plan. Telling people what to do often triggers resistance; asking and offering options builds ownership.

• Food isn’t just fuel, certain triggers (sugar, seed oils, sensitivities) can amplify nervous system load, making pain feel worse.

• Healing can sometimes be unexpectedly emotional: unresolved conflict, suppressed communication, and chronic stress can manifest physically.

About the Guest:

Leigh Brandon is a functional medicine & CHEK practitioner and long-time pain specialist who helps clients resolve chronic pain by addressing the body as an integrated system surrounding structure, nutrition, and nervous system regulation. He is also the host of the Beyond the Pain podcast and the creator of practical resources (including a free nutrition guide) designed to help people reduce pain without living on medication.

Connect with Leigh Brandon

• Website: www.bodychek.co.uk

• Instagram: @beyondthepainpod

• Free download: The Pain-Free Plate (available on his website)

• Books: https://bodychek.co.uk/books/

Leigh also teased a new online pain-reduction coaching course launching next March—sign up via the free guide to be notified.

This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.

Jaca is a revolutionary rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects. www.jacasugar.com