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Ayahuasca gets talked about like a quick fix, but the reality is messier, harder, and a lot more interesting. We sit down in the studio with psychologist and researcher Dave Gallagher to dig into what plant medicine retreats in Peru and Colombia actually look like when the goal is trauma healing, not a “trip.” Building on the conversation around childhood trauma and lived experience, we explore why veterans with PTSD and athletes from combat sports often share the same hidden wound, and why identity can unravel when the structure of service or competition disappears.

Dave walks us through the science that’s finally catching up: psychedelic research history, brain imaging, and what the default mode network can tell us about the “autobiography of self.” We talk about integration as the real work, including a practical rule that can save people from impulsive decisions after a powerful ceremony: wait 30 days before you blow up your life. We also get honest about the risks, from re-living trauma to the need for real screening, real support, and a safe set and setting, especially for anyone on SSRIs or with a predisposition to psychosis.

We also go behind the scenes on what researchers measure on these programs, from depression and quality-of-life scores to EEG, cognitive testing, inflammation markers, epigenetics, and the gut microbiome. If you’re curious about psychedelic-assisted therapy for PTSD, complex trauma, concussion, or traumatic brain injury, this is a grounded conversation that takes both hope and harm seriously. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave us a review with your biggest question about psychedelics and healing.

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He went from being a kid carrying secrets no child should carry to a man trying to turn pain into purpose, and he doesn’t soften a single edge. We’re joined by Matthew Morton, known in the fight world as The Spider, a professional bare knuckle fighter who lays out the real timeline: childhood trauma, sexual abuse, crack and heroin addiction at 12, years of crime and chaos, and the moment it all finally started to shift.

We talk about ADHD traits, shame, and why people often punish symptoms while missing the cause. Matthew explains how structure and discipline became his lifeline after overdose and withdrawal, and how fighting gave him a legal place to burn off energy, stay focused, and prove to himself he wasn’t “too far gone.” Alongside him, our resident psychologist Dave Gallagher adds context on trauma, athlete mental health, and what happens when a combat sports career ends and identity starts to collapse.

Then we get into plant medicine with the detail most conversations skip. Matthew shares what an ayahuasca retreat in Colombia actually felt like, why set and setting matters, what purging and fear can bring up, and why psychedelic integration is where the work really begins. Dave breaks down the emerging science on psychedelics, neuroplasticity, and how field research and brain imaging can capture meaningful changes in wellbeing over time.

If you care about addiction recovery, PTSD healing, ADHD and substance use, combat sports mental health, or psychedelic therapy done responsibly, this one will stick with you. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.

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A 4am bike ride to a boardroom meeting sounds ridiculous until you hear what it does for your head. We sit down with endurance fundraiser Andy North to talk about why the outdoors keeps pulling him back, how he started taking on big challenges at 50, and how training can make you better at work without stealing your whole life.

Andy shares his connection to Candlelighters, the children’s cancer charity in Leeds, and what it means to keep showing up for families years after the headlines fade. From marathons and ultra-style efforts to cycling blocks that would scare most people off, we get honest about the parts nobody posts: the aches that feel like the flu, the moments at night when your mind turns on you, and the simple tools that get you moving again. We also dig into the basics that actually matter for endurance performance and mental health: hydration, nutrition, sleep, and self-praise when you’re tempted to write yourself off.

Then we go big. Andy breaks down standout projects like multi-day run-and-ride charity expeditions, record-setting climbs, and how he builds community around each event with planning, support crews, and fundraising strategy. He also talks setbacks, injuries, and the reality of adapting a training plan when illness hits. Finally, we look ahead to an Ironman-style challenge for Candlelighters and his “Spirit of Rome” vision: a 2,300-mile journey tied to corporate social responsibility and getting more people involved in doing hard things for a good cause.

If you enjoy endurance training, marathon motivation, cycling adventures, and real-world charity fundraising, you’ll get a lot from this conversation. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs a nudge to start, and leave a review with the goal you’re chasing next.

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