Adam’s Story

One year ago, Adam could barely climb a flight of stairs. Today, he’s nearly unrecognizable, living a life transformed in ways he could never have imagined.

The Turning Point

Adam’s story begins in a deeply challenging place. “I was truly not ok” he recalls. After serving almost 13 years as an Army infantryman, including four combat deployments, Adam found himself struggling to adjust to civilian life. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was ready to check out of life,” he admits. The weight of his experiences had taken a heavy toll, leaving him battling anger, depression, and an unhealthy lifestyle. He turned to food for comfort, leading to significant weight gain, and had stopped caring for his body altogether.

Working on a sod farm to make ends meet while waiting for flight school paperwork, Adam found solace in podcasts and audiobooks. It was during this period that he stumbled upon the Sean Ryan Show, where he first heard about the transformative potential of psychedelic treatments like Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT.

Desperate for change and skeptical of the traditional medications offered by the VA, Adam sought out programs that could provide similar treatments. “Many programs only cater to the Special Forces community, which was a hard pill to swallow. There are so many more regular veterans who have no way of accessing this kind of treatment.”  His search led him to the Heroic Hearts Project, an organization dedicated to helping veterans from all branches access psychedelic healing. Adam decided to take the plunge, hoping for a transformation he couldn’t yet fathom.

The Retreat Experience

Adam’s journey took him to a retreat in Tarapoto, Peru, where he participated in three Ayahuasca ceremonies. This experience, set in a deep traditional environment, was nothing short of life-changing. “I don’t think that I had even an inkling of what this was gonna be able to do for me,” he admits.

Adam describes his first ceremony as a rebirth, a journey that took him from the heights of bliss to the depths of darkness and back again, ultimately rebuilding his sense of self from the ground up. “That first night was like going through hell,” Adam shares. “But by the end of it, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. I stood under the full moon for what felt like 30 minutes, just breathing and, for the first time, truly accepting the balance between light and dark within me.”

While the ayahuasca provided profound healing, Adam’s transformation came from so much more than just the experiences he had during the ceremonies. Throughout the retreat, Adam connected deeply with the other participants, all veterans with their own stories of struggle and hope. The sense of community and shared purpose added a profound layer to the healing process. “Being with others who understood my pain and seeing their transformations was incredibly powerful,” Adam reflects.

The retreat also introduced Adam to a range of holistic practices, and he was connected with his body in a new way. He became more mindful and intentional about what he consumed, learned breathwork and yoga, and practiced mindfulness. The skills he built preparing for and experiencing the retreat lifestyle laid a foundation for a whole new way of being in the world.

A New Beginning

The immediate effects of the retreat were undeniable. “If I showed you a picture of what I looked like a year ago at that retreat, you’d be like, it’s not the same person,” Adam recalls. The changes were not just physical but deeply emotional and psychological. He emerged with a renewed sense of purpose, self-respect, and the realization that he was capable of so much more than he had believed.

Adam’s transformation didn’t end with the retreat. The integration process played a crucial role in solidifying the changes he experienced. He adopted a disciplined routine that included intermittent fasting, daily walks, mindfulness practices, and a commitment to holistic health. Over the past year, these practices have not only helped him achieve the profound physical transformation that comes with nearly 100lbs of weight loss, they’ve helped him adopt and maintain a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

Impact and Outreach

The impact of Adam’s journey extends beyond his personal transformation. He has channeled his newfound energy into helping others through initiatives like the Strategic Veteran, a community and podcast he founded aimed at supporting veterans in their own journeys to purpose through entrepreneurship and holistic healing. Adam is also actively involved a nonprofit that provides immediate mental health support to veterans in crisis.

Reflecting on his journey, Adam emphasizes the importance of openness and seeking help. “Get out of your own way and open your mind to alternatives that are out there,” he advises fellow veterans. He stresses that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and can open doors to profound healing and transformation.

A Grateful Heart

Adam’s gratitude for the Heroic Hearts Project is immense. “If you’re donating to Heroic Hearts, know that it is genuinely saving lives,” he affirms. The support he received has not only transformed his life but has also inspired him to give back and help others find their path to healing.

Adam’s story is a testament to the power of psychedelic treatments and holistic healing practices in transforming lives. His journey from despair to health and purpose serves as an inspiration to veterans and supporters alike, showcasing the profound impact of programs like the Heroic Hearts Project.

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Written By: Hannah Kimyon