#290: Finding the Path to Healing Through Community Support, Personal Exploration, and Traditional Plant Medicine with Scottie Schneider, USMA ‘09

“I think people can't give their own personal agency away. I talk to a lot of veterans that kind of throw up their hands, ‘Oh, the VA isn't giving me the help that I need.’ Well, hey, man, take responsibility for your own life. You’ve got to figure this sh-t out. And we're here to help you.” –Scottie Schneider

Scottie Schneider is a military veteran, West Point graduate, and the founder of Waking Warrior, a community and support system for military veterans who are experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse issues, and thoughts of suicide. Based in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia, Scottie is adept at using traditional plant medicine, including hallucinogens, as part of the psychological healing process.

A West Point graduate with a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering and Russian language, Scottie served as an Army officer from 2005 to 2012, where he was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Following his military service, Scottie embarked on a successful career in sales for a number of technology companies, where he mentored teams and developed an expertise in strategic relationships, key account management, sales operations, and revenue generation. Despite his business success, he also dealt with severe depression, substance abuse issues, and thoughts of suicide, which put him on a path of personal and spiritual exploration and, ultimately, healing.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Scottie's journey from West Point graduate to salesperson and his struggles with depression and alcoholism after leaving the military.
• The role of plant medicines and psychedelics in Scottie's personal healing process.
• The founding of Waking Warrior, an online community and support system for military veterans dealing with mental health challenges and substance abuse.
• The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership, especially for men and veterans transitioning to civilian life.
• Scottie's approach to personal development, including the concept of "skill stacking" and focusing on building systems rather than just goals.
• The challenges of identity restructuring for veterans after leaving the military, and how Waking Warrior aims to address this.
• Alternative healing methods, from breathwork to meditation and beyond, and how experimenting with different modalities can help veterans coping with PTSD and other mental health issues find the right tools to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Scottie Schneider's journey from West Point graduate to founder of Waking Warrior, a community and support system for veterans, is a testament to the power of personal and spiritual transformation and the importance of addressing mental health in the veteran community.

After serving as an Army officer in Fairbanks, Alaska, Scottie faced his own battles with depression and alcoholism upon leaving the military. His struggle led him to explore alternative healing methods, including plant medicines and psychedelics, which played a crucial role in his personal recovery.

Drawing from his experiences and leveraging his diverse skill set – which spans from environmental engineering to sales and technology – Scottie founded Waking Warrior. This online community and support system aims to help military veterans grappling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

Scottie's approach emphasizes the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and personal growth. Waking Warrior encourages veterans to explore various healing modalities, from breathwork to meditation and other systems, recognizing that each individual's path to recovery is unique. By addressing the challenges of identity restructuring and promoting "skill stacking," Scottie and Waking Warrior are working to provide veterans with the tools they need to thrive in civilian life and rediscover their sense of purpose.

Connect with Scottie:

• LinkedIn
• www.wakingwarrior.org
• [email protected]

Scottie's book recommendations from the podcast:

• Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
• How to Fail at Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams
• 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan Peterson

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Special thanks to Scottie for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01