164. Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery with Neil Markey
Release Date: 11/12/2024
169. Rewiring Your Mind For Hope and Body with Dr. Samantha Harte
Warriors Unmasked
In this captivating episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Samantha Harte, a physical therapist, author, and podcast host who embodies resilience and transformation. With more than two decades of experience in fitness and wellness, Dr. Harte shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming addiction, silencing her inner critic, and finding joy and resilience after trauma. Dr. Harte opens up about her struggles growing up in a household with addiction and mental health challenges, her own battle with substance abuse, and how she hit rock bottom before finding the strength...
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168. Shoulder Check: How Small Gestures Can Save Lives with Rob Thorsen
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In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Rob Thorsen, the founder and executive director of the #HT40 Foundation and the visionary behind the Shoulder Check initiative. Rob opens up about the profound loss of his son, Hayden, to suicide, and how he transformed his grief into a mission to combat the crisis of loneliness and isolation among young people. Through Shoulder Check, Rob encourages simple, yet meaningful acts of connection—putting a hand on someone’s shoulder, checking in, and offering support when it’s needed most. Rob’s story is one of...
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167. Understanding The Role of Anger in Healing and Self-Discovery with Bronwyn Schweigerdt
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss dives into a profound conversation with Bronwyn Schweigerdt, a licensed psychotherapist, anger expert, and author of Angry at the Right Things. Bronwyn’s unique approach to anger management and mental health challenges common misconceptions about emotions like anger, betrayal, and hurt. With her wealth of experience and compassionate insights, she empowers listeners to embrace their feelings, explore their root causes, and transform their emotional pain into healing and personal growth. Bronwyn shares her journey of becoming the therapist she...
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166. Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage and Building Resilience with Dr. Audrey Schnel
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In this week’s episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss is joined by Dr. Audrey Schnell, a highly experienced personal development expert with over 40 years of helping people overcome self-sabotage, embrace transformation, and achieve their full potential. Dr. Schnell’s insights are a gift for anyone looking to break through their barriers and create meaningful change in their lives. During the episode, Dr. Schnell shares her wisdom on identifying the root causes of self-sabotage, highlighting that it’s not a moral failing but a survival instinct rooted in fear. She explores how our...
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165. The Power of Gratitude: How Gratitude Rewires Your Brain and Boosts Happiness with Chuck Thuss
Warriors Unmasked
In this special solo episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss dives deep into a life-changing topic: gratitude. Chuck shares his personal journey with gratitude and explains how adopting an attitude of gratitude has the power to transform every aspect of your life—your mindset, relationships, emotional health, and even physical well-being. Whether you’re facing challenges or simply looking for a way to enhance your daily life, this episode offers practical insights and actionable tips to start living with gratitude today. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Gratitude Rewires Your Brain:...
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164. Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery with Neil Markey
Warriors Unmasked
In this week’s episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Neil Markey, a former Captain in the U.S. Army Special Operations and now the co-founder and CEO of Beckley Retreats. Neil's journey from a soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan to a leader in the field of mindfulness and psychedelics for healing is an inspiring story of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation. Through personal struggles with depression and PTSD, Neil discovered the power of meditation, mindfulness, and psychedelic therapy, which eventually led him to create Beckley Retreats—an innovative program...
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163. Overcoming Adversity and Embracing Mindset Mastery with Paul Gencarella Jr.
Warriors Unmasked
Hey Warriors Unmasked family, Chuck here! In this episode, I sit down with Paul Gencarella Jr., a resilient warrior whose life story is filled with incredible challenges and triumphs. From battling cancer alongside his young son to managing a bipolar diagnosis, Paul’s journey demonstrates the power of a positive mindset and the importance of leaning into faith, family, and self-growth. Paul opens up about the hardships he and his family faced, beginning with his son’s unexpected cancer diagnosis after a fall from the porch and later, his own cancer diagnosis shortly after. He shares how...
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162. Overcoming 13 Years of Misdiagnosis: Kevin Brewer’s Guide to Mental Toughness and Overcoming Obstacles
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In this deeply moving episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Kevin Brewer, a Navy veteran, Spartan athlete, and resilience coach. Kevin shares his incredible journey of overcoming a 13-year battle with misdiagnosed health issues that left him feeling lost and frustrated. From navigating severe physical challenges to battling the toll on his mental health, Kevin’s story is a testament to grit, self-belief, and the power of persistence. Kevin’s journey began with the physical toll of his military service, enduring years of misdiagnoses and chronic pain that, at times, made...
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161. From Suicidal Thoughts to Self-Discovery: Garret Biss’s Path to Healing
Warriors Unmasked
In this powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Garret Biss, a retired Marine Corps pilot, addiction recovery coach, TEDx speaker, and the founder of ValiantPath™️. Garret's story is one of perseverance, resilience, and transformation. After retiring from the military, Garret faced challenges familiar to many veterans—anxiety, depression, and a sense of displacement. Like so many, he turned to alcohol as a crutch, but it wasn’t until he experienced suicidal ideation that he sought real change. This episode takes listeners on a journey through Garret's struggles, his...
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160. How To Quickly Heal The Real Root Cause Of Fear and Anxiety with Daniel Packard
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss dives deep into a fascinating conversation with Daniel Packard, a UC Berkeley-trained mechanical engineer and the CEO of Permanent Anxiety Solutions. Daniel shares his personal journey from battling severe anxiety and complex PTSD to pioneering a breakthrough solution that helps people overcome anxiety for good. With over eight years of research, involving 3,000 people across five continents, and more than a million dollars invested, Daniel and his team developed a system designed to address anxiety at its root cause. What makes Daniel’s...
info_outlineIn this week’s episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Neil Markey, a former Captain in the U.S. Army Special Operations and now the co-founder and CEO of Beckley Retreats. Neil's journey from a soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan to a leader in the field of mindfulness and psychedelics for healing is an inspiring story of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation. Through personal struggles with depression and PTSD, Neil discovered the power of meditation, mindfulness, and psychedelic therapy, which eventually led him to create Beckley Retreats—an innovative program designed to help individuals find peace, purpose, and healing.
In this episode, Neil shares his path to finding balance and clarity after experiencing the challenges many veterans face, including isolation, trauma, and anger. He opens up about the importance of connecting with oneself through practices like meditation and his belief in the potential of psychedelics as tools for personal growth and mental well-being. With deep insights on the intersection of science and spirituality, Neil’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the ways we can tap into our inner strength to overcome adversity and embrace a more fulfilling life.
Key Takeaways from Neil’s Journey:
- The Healing Power of Meditation and Mindfulness: Neil credits his recovery and emotional resilience to the consistent practice of meditation, which helped him reconnect with himself and develop a more peaceful outlook on life. His story highlights the importance of daily mindfulness routines in maintaining mental wellness.
- Exploring Psychedelic Therapy: At Beckley Retreats, Neil provides a safe, research-backed environment where individuals can explore psychedelics for healing. He emphasizes the importance of a structured approach that blends ancient traditions with modern science, creating transformative experiences that help people gain new perspectives on life.
- Finding Purpose in Service: From military service to his work with Beckley Retreats, Neil’s journey reflects a deep commitment to helping others heal. His insights remind us that true healing comes from within but is often sparked through the support and guidance of a community.
About Beckley Retreats
Neil’s mission with Beckley Retreats is to provide a unique approach to healing that integrates the wisdom of global traditions with cutting-edge science. With programs designed to foster growth and self-discovery, Beckley Retreats supports participants through meditation, psilocybin sessions, and practices that encourage positive habit formation. For Neil, these retreats are not just about recovery; they’re about tapping into our full potential and living a life of purpose and compassion.
Listen to the full episode to hear Neil’s inspiring story and his vision for mental health and well-being. Discover the profound ways meditation, mindfulness, and psychedelics can help us reconnect with our inner selves and navigate life’s challenges with resilience and peace.
Stay Connected with Warriors Unmasked
If this episode resonates with you, be sure to subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit from Neil’s insights. To learn more about Chuck’s work or explore previous episodes, visit Warriors Unmasked.
GUEST LINKS:
LINKS:
- www.thecompassionateconnection.com
- www.warriorsunmasked.com
- Join Chuck’s Text Community: 251-418-7966
Episode Minute By Minute:
- 0:02 - Get to know Neil Markey
- 03:04 – Neil’s military background and inspiration for joining the U.S. Army
- 06:42 – Deployment experiences and the impact on Neil’s mental health
- 12:08 – Returning to civilian life: Challenges and transition struggles
- 16:30 – Discovering meditation and the path to mindfulness
- 20:47 – Insights into Neil’s spiritual journey and beliefs
- 26:09 – Founding Beckley Retreats: A mission to help others heal
- 31:25 – The power of psilocybin and structured psychedelic experiences
- 36:45 – Practical tips for daily mindfulness and staying grounded
- 41:32 – Final reflections on healing, growth, and the path forward
- 45:50 – Closing thoughts and ways to connect with Beckley Retreats