Episode #150: The Meditative Marine & The Mission Within

No matter what has happened, you can heal.

We are excited to welcome Jay Kopelman, a retired lieutenant colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps, current Interim Executive Director of the Mission Within Foundation, and business advisor for veteran entrepreneurs with Semper Fi & America’s Fund.

Jay brings a wealth of experience as a 21-year U.S. Navy and Marine Corps veteran, with two combat deployments to Iraq. He has served alongside the highest levels of U.S. Special Operations, collaborated with the Iraqi army and border forces, and held executive roles in healthcare focused on improving patient outcomes. Jay is also a participant in The Mission Within’s psychedelic-assisted therapy retreat, which uses ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT to support healing.

As a best-selling author of From Baghdad with Love and From Baghdad to America, Jay’s stories and insights bring a unique perspective to our conversation. His current work with the Mission Within Foundation focuses on raising funds to provide scholarships for veterans and first responders to attend psychedelic-assisted therapy retreats.

Listen in for a powerful and thought-provoking episode!

In this episode:

• Lt. Col. Jay Coleman and his background in the military and transition to advocacy work
• Difficult realities of combat and its impacts like PTSD and traumatic brain injury
• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how they can contribute to PTSD development in the military
• Finding The Mission Within organization and the transformative psychedelic-assisted therapy retreat
• The unique properties of Ibogaine
• Preparation, safety protocols, and experience of the psychedelic retreat
• The importance of self-love and how it enables deeper connections with others

We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences after listening. Share with us on social media @christinemariemason on Instagram.