#33 - From PTSD to Purpose Through Psychedelics with Jesse Gould

Scales Of Success Podcast

What if the very thing you feared could be the path to healing? In this powerful conversation, Marcus Arredondo sits down with Army Ranger-turned-psychedelic advocate Jesse Gould, who shares his raw and personal journey from Wall Street and war zones to rock bottom, and eventually to profound healing through ayahuasca. Together, they explore how psychedelics are changing the mental health landscape for veterans with PTSD and why the stigma needs to be reexamined. This is not a quick-fix solution, but a movement grounded in research, compassion, and real transformation.
Jesse Gould is an Army Ranger veteran, ultra runner, and founder of Heroic Hearts Project. He’s led groundbreaking efforts connecting veterans to psychedelic therapy, partnering with top research institutions and global healing centers. Featured in outlets like 60 Minutes and Forbes, Jesse is a leading voice in reshaping how we treat trauma.
🔗 Episode references:
🌎 U.S. Vets with PTSD Take Psychedelic Journey - https://cbsn.ws/4kjOPiw
📺 60 Minutes: A Psychedelic Journey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zpe_G8_k1s
Learn more about Jesse Gould:
Website: https://heroicheartsproject.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicheartsproject/#
Episode highlights:
(3:04) Why psychedelics are misunderstood
(9:41) Mental health crisis and stigma
(11:17) Jesse’s PTSD and VA challenges
(17:12) The warning signs of rock bottom
(24:48) A breaking point in corporate life
(27:19) Taking the leap to try ayahuasca
(30:13) Healing, breakthroughs, and lasting change
(38:17) Psychedelics as a reset button
(44:11) Heroic Hearts Project and family healing
(48:56) Bipartisan support and U.S. policy
(52:41) The VA, funding, and future hope
(57:21) Outro

Connect with Marcus

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus

Scales of Success

• Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess
  

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess

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Chapters

1. #33 - From PTSD to Purpose Through Psychedelics with Jesse Gould (00:00:00)

2. Why psychedelics are misunderstood (00:03:04)

3. Mental health crisis and stigma (00:09:41)

4. Jesse’s PTSD and VA challenges (00:11:17)

5. The warning signs of rock bottom (00:17:12)

6. A breaking point in corporate life (00:24:48)

7. Taking the leap to try ayahuasca (00:27:19)

8. Healing, breakthroughs, and lasting change (00:30:13)

9. Psychedelics as a reset button (00:38:17)

10. Heroic Hearts Project and family healing (00:44:11)

11. Bipartisan support and U.S. policy (00:48:56)

12. The VA, funding, and future hope (00:52:41)

13. Outro (00:57:21)