Guest Interview Series - Kenny

Over the last decade, life has hit me with its hardest punches. I have experienced multiple deaths and the closure of personal relationships, losing my family identity and core support system all in a short period of time. All this compiled trauma and stress became unbearable and felt suffocating. I was unhappy and exhausted all the time. I would leave work and not want to see or speak to anyone. I also realized many of my friendships were unsupportive and quite superficial. I felt alone and ultimately lost in life.

To be honest, when I knew 100 percent that I was going to commit to this journey, I didn’t tell anyone. I felt that this was my journey for self-healing, and I was not going to let anyone convince me or talk me out of it due to their lack of understanding of the mushrooms or their preconceived assumptions. Now returning home and getting integrated back into my life. I felt I made a wise decision to keep my journey with myself.

When I first came to the retreat, I had my prepared list of all the traumas and issues that I wanted to resolve while I was there. However, the magical mushrooms showed me something else during my time. It showed me what I needed to see. I was able to tap into suppressed emotions and thoughts that I had buried over the years that I needed to address and tackle head-on. It was challenging, but I’m glad that I trusted the staff and the overall process.

I received a lot of guidance and advice that helped me navigate some difficult emotions and past traumas. One key piece of advice that was told to me and that will follow me forever is, “Let it go, it no longer serves you anymore” and “Be kind to yourself”. Such simple advice, but the impact those words have on me has changed tremendously. I used to be a person who used anger and fear as a tool to control my decisions in life. I feel I no longer need it and it had its place in my life and now it's time to let it go and move forward in life.

I feel at peace with where I’m at in life at this moment. Before the retreat I felt like I was wasting my life, watching myself from a third-person view. The retreat has been so fulfilling in so many ways as now I have tools to help me cope with trauma and has given me a new perspective on life.

I will quote Nike's iconic expression: “Just Do It”. This retreat has been life-changing for me and the other members who participated with me. The mushrooms will show you what you need instead of what you want. Please come open-minded and ready to challenge yourself and lastly enjoy the ride. What you might experience might not make sense to you at first, but over time your mind will process it and you will get the clarity and breakthrough that you need. My only regret is that I didn’t do this journey sooner.

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