Today’s guest is Lisa Tamez, a military veteran whose journey through childhood trauma, military service, depression, addiction, and PTSD eventually led her to psychedelic-assisted healing. After years of struggling with suicidal thoughts, alcohol dependence, medication, and traditional treatments that weren’t enough, Lisa reached a breaking point. Through Heroic Hearts Project, she attended an ayahuasca retreat that became the beginning of her healing journey.
In this deeply personal conversation, Lisa shares the realities of military life, the hidden weight many veterans carry, the importance of therapy and integration, and how learning to transform the way she sees herself and her future.
In this conversation:
> Lisa shares how childhood trauma, military service, and years of accumulated stress led to severe depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts.
> As a military police officer and LGBTQ+ service member, she reflects on the unique pressures, stigma, and emotional burden of military life.
> After traditional treatments, medication, and therapy failed to provide lasting relief, she turned to psychedelic-assisted healing as a last resort.
> Through Heroic Hearts Project, Lisa attended an ayahuasca retreat in Mexico that marked a turning point in her recovery.
> She explains how the ceremonies focused less on visions and more on profound physical and emotional release.
> Lisa discusses why integration — not the psychedelic experience itself — became the foundation of her long-term healing.
> The conversation explores self-compassion, inner child work, and learning to replace self-criticism with kindness.
> Lisa shares how psychedelics helped her reconnect with herself, offering a renewed sense of purpose, intuition, and hope for the future.
