My own journey with psychedelics began six years ago when I shifted from recreational to intentional use. Growing up in a very unstable single-parent home with drugs sold in the household, I faced significant challenges as a child. There were times where we were homeless, living in shelters and with family friends. I never met my father as he was in and out of prison, and passed away when I was eleven. Despite this adversity, I managed to follow my passion for basketball when I was young, earning a Division I full-ride scholarship to Providence College.
After graduating, I moved to Chicago working with Fortune 500 companies in the medical industry. I was in Executive positions learning neurology, neuroscience and neurovascular for over twelve years. Although these were great opportunities, I was incredibly unfulfilled in my career. An unsatisfying career in combination with unhealed childhood trauma over time presented as depression, anxiety and being on SSRI medications for over seven years.