Ep. 115 - Transforming Trauma: Neil Markey's Journey from Battlefield to Mindfulness and Psychedelics

In this episode of MAX Afterburner, Whiz sits down with Neil Markey, co-founder and CEO of Beckley Retreats. Neil shares his journey from serving as a Captain in the US Army Special Operations 2nd Ranger Battalion, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, to overcoming depression and PTSD during his time as a Columbia University graduate student. This struggle sparked a profound healing journey through mindfulness and psychedelics, which Neil now champions as tools for holistic well-being. Neil talks about finding a meditation practice which led to psychedelic assisted therapy. As a passionate advocate for plant-based therapies, Neil discusses the mission of Beckley Retreats to integrate science-backed psychedelic practices with contemplative traditions. His unique path also includes roles at McKinsey & Co, where he co-led a mindfulness program, and as Chief Growth Officer of a $450M private equity portfolio company. In this insightful conversation with Whiz, he explores the intersection of science, spirituality, and the transformative potential of psychedelics, inspiring listeners to embrace the miraculous in life.

In this episode, Whiz sits down with Chad McLean, an Army veteran who transformed his life after overcoming childhood and military trauma. Chad, driven to the brink by depression and anxiety, turned to Ketamine and plant medicine treatments following a life-altering suicide attempt in 2020. Through a powerful vision during his healing journey, he founded Mental Joe — an apparel company dedicated to raising mental health awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding alternative treatments.Mental Joe’s mission is bold and clear: to spark essential conversations about mental health, provide resources to veterans and others in need, and help fund alternative healing options that transform lives. Recently, Chad’s gear, created for the No Fallen Heroes Foundation, made its debut at the Stanley Cup finals, symbolizing the power of support, healing, and resilience.Tune in to hear Chad’s inspiring story, learn about the impact of Mental Joe, and discover how veterans and mental health advocates are pioneering a new path to healing. Check out https://mentaljoe.com/

In this compelling episode of Max Afterburner, guest host Susie Buckley welcomes life coach Elise Morgan for a deeply personal conversation about healing through ayahuasca ceremonies. Together, they explore Elise’s journey through plant medicine, her struggles with trauma from miscarriages and divorce, and the powerful emotional breakthroughs that helped her reconnect with her children and herself. From navigating her first ayahuasca experience to finding peace and clarity, Elise shares insights on healing, self-discovery, and the transformative power of plant medicine. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on emotional release, spiritual growth, and how these ancient practices can lead to profound personal change.

This week, Suzi sits down with Donna Samaha to delve into her transformative psilocybin journey. Donna lost her son to an overdose and in a chance conversation with Whiz a couple years ago, she learned about potentially healing trauma with psychedelic assisted therapy. Her son was a day away from sitting with the medicine. They discuss the valuable lessons she learned and how the experience reshaped her entire outlook on life. Donna emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and the ongoing growth and learning she embraces, even years after her experience with the medicine.

In this moving episode Whiz speaks with Gold Star sibling Andrew Glasscock. Andrew’s brother Chad was a naval aviator, flying helicopters in Guam, when he was lost a year ago. Andrew details the devasting loss of his brother and the process families go through. He tells of the lack of support for siblings and how he founded a nonprofit – Flags From Chad – to help other Gold Star siblings with their grief. A man of faith, Andrew speaks of wanting to sit with the medicine as part of his healing journey. The No Fallen Heroes Foundation provides healing grants to Gold Star family members – they served too and deserve to heal. 

In this gripping popup podcast Whiz tells of his experience on 911. He takes you from packing that day for his first trip as a pilot for American Airlines to intercepting at supersonic speed an unknown contact that he potentially could’ve shot down. He debriefs this pivotal moment in his life, and in the history of this nation, and how he used this horrific tragedy to eventually find his mission of saving and changing the lives of our nation’s heroes. Some give lip service to the phrase – ‘we will never forget’. For Whiz, he means it.

Michael “Morgs” Morgan is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement who honorably served the citizens of Atlanta, Georgia, and Suffolk County, New York. In this riveting episode Morgs shares some of the  heartbreaking trauma he experienced, starting with his first night as a trainee. As a warrior and law enforcement officer he was forced to compartmentalize and press forward, with each incident adding a layer of pain and trauma. The drowning of a 2-year-old child he ‘helped save’ caused unbelievable grief. Later in his career he is taken off the streets because of a back injury. He got hooked on the pain reliever Tramadol and ended up in rehab. A couple years ago he saw tier one operators on podcasts sharing their healing journeys with psychedelic assisted therapy and felt the call of the medicine. He sat with Ayahuasca in Florida, and it completely saved and changed his life. He was given a new mission to put the ladder down to help save and change the lives of other first responder heroes and their families. Follow Morg on Instagram team_morgs_inc

 Suzi hosts her second MAX Afterburner podcast with Carolina Rifenbury, who comes from an Army family. Coco was part of the first No Fallen Heroes Foundation retreat in the United States held last October in the great state of Colorado. Coco’s journey was whole – loving and comforting while also very challenging at times. She realized that many of her actions in life were driven by fear when there was no need to fear. Spirit manifested itself as a beautiful white horse she rode who guided her along her journey. She briefs how her integration is what allowed her to understand the messages given to her and how she is applying these changes to her everyday life. 

The FDA decision on MDMA is out. It didn’t really matter one way or the other, the psychedelic ship has sailed, and more people will look to heal with these medicines. Now it’s time to attack in parallel by focusing fire on the healing power of plant medicines like iboga (ibogaine) and psilocybin. These medicines come from Mother Earth, not a lab, and have less of a ‘stigma’ associated with them. They are not ‘fun’ or recreational. Whiz maps out next steps in the battle to heal our heroes. Fight’s On!

Jerod Napier is a retired United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer who served honorably as a corpsman on 4 combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, including 50 days in Fallujah as the ‘Doc’ to a Marine unit. Suffering from combat wounds – seen and unseen – he sought to numb his pain with alcohol, drugs, and women. He experienced a dark night of the soul where he sat in his truck with his Sig 229 on his lap with tears streaming onto it. A call from a brother pulled him back from the edge. He began his healing journey by exploring psychedelics intentionally with Plant Medicine and found a path to health and healing. On the medicine he was able to find healing with those he killed. He owns and operates Rising Ridge, a 508 c1a Faith Based Organization focused on healing the collective through value driven behavior and the intentional use of plant medicine. Located in Tulsa Oklahoma, Rising Ridge focuses on raising the Vibration of the collective, as well as providing a safe and sacred space for Veterans to explore alternative modalities to find their health and happiness.