Ep 13: Healing With Plant Medicine. Trauma Recovery, Integration & The Power of Community

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this deeply moving episode of The Vitality Collective Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Bettle sits down with Kevin Vance—former Navy SEAL, firefighter, and advocate for healing through plant medicine. Kevin opens up about his powerful journey through elite military service, injury, and burnout, leading to profound healing via traditional plant medicine and community connection. They unpack the vital difference between synthetic psychedelics and traditional plant-based practices, the importance of integration and support, and why community-based healing is essential for veterans, first responders, and society at large. This is an inspiring and cautionary conversation about trauma, resilience, and rediscovering vitality through reconnection—with nature, self, and others.

 

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👤 Guest Bio:

Kevin Vance is a retired Navy SEAL, and recently retired firefighter and FEMA rescue specialist. With a decorated career spanning military special operations and frontline emergency response, Kevin experienced firsthand the toll that high-performance, high-stress environments take on the body and mind. After suffering from TBI, chronic nervous system dysregulation, and burnout, he began a personal healing journey that led him to traditional plant medicine. Today, he is a passionate advocate for conscious and responsible psychedelic therapy, bridging Indigenous wisdom with modern medicine to support the healing of veterans, first responders, and broader communities.

 

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🌐 Guest Links:

• The Mission Within

• Coast to Coast Foundation (Veteran Nonprofit) 

• The Coming Home Project

• one805 - Santa Barbara First Responders

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✅ 3 Actionable Takeaways:

1. Be Patient on the Healing Path

Don’t rush into plant medicine or psychedelic therapies—seek reputable, well-trained facilitators and do the necessary preparation work.

2. Reconnect with Community

Healing happens in relationship. Seek out or create environments of support, where vulnerability is honored and connection is prioritized.

3. Support Those Who Serve

Whether through advocacy, donations, or simply showing up—support your local veterans and first responders in tangible ways. A handshake, a meal, or a letter to your senator goes a long way.

 

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🔑 Key Takeaways:

• The distinction between “psychedelics” and “plant medicine” lies not just in chemistry, but in tradition, intention, and reverence.

• Trauma healing must be approached holistically—addressing physical, psychological, and spiritual wounds.

• Nervous system dysregulation from high-stress roles (like SEALs and firefighters) is widespread and often goes untreated for years.

• Integration after plant medicine experiences is as important as the journey itself—ongoing support is vital.

• A lack of legitimate training in the psychedelic space poses real dangers. Vet your facilitators thoroughly.

• Traditional Indigenous wisdom, when combined respectfully with clinical science, offers powerful healing potential.

• Self-compassion is often the missing key in male-dominated performance environments—and it opens the door to true healing.

• Community support isn’t optional—it’s central to sustainable mental and emotional health.

• Every person deserves access to healing, not just elite military operators. The ripple effects must serve broader society.

• True vitality comes not from peak performance alone, but from wholeness, connection, and purpose.