Matt’s Story
I am a white guy currently living in Chicago. I was born at the leading edge of Generation X - 1969. I’ve worn many masks throughout my life. Son, Thespian, Bus Boy, Waiter, Student, Frat Boy, Entrepreneur, Sales Representative, Development Engineer, Product Manager, Husband, Father, Photographer, Victim, Patient, Psychonaut, Sound Healer, Bodyworker, Podcast Host and more.
For the first 50 or so years of my life I didn’t think I was allowed to be here. Not just here in Chicago, but here, on Earth, in a body.
My family moved a lot. I went to eight different schools before graduating from high school. Programmed in that way, I too, moved six times in the five years after graduating from college. The grass always seemed greener somehow…
I suffered from depression (and anxiety) for most of my life. I smoked my first joint at age 11 and had my first drink of Southern Comfort straight from the bottle at 13. While the cannabis never really took hold as an addiction, I drank alcohol for the next 20 years, many times to excess. In 1998 I began psychotherapy and in 2000, I started on antidepressants. I spent 12 years on them and 15 years in traditional talk therapy.
Meanwhile, I built a successful business, became a father to two amazing girls and rehabbed an old house in a nice suburb. In 2010 I went through divorce, foreclosure and bankruptcy. Fun times. After much flailing about, I got my head on straight in 2015 only to begin experiencing severe chronic pelvic pain along with fibromyalgia. I spent nearly three years in the western medical system trying desperately to heal.
In 2018 out of money and out of patience, my healing journey really kicked into gear after my first magic mushroom trip. The years since have been an amazing and challenging ride. I have traversed the physical and not-so-physical worlds and been fortunate to work with many talented healers.
As a result of all my efforts, I find myself in a place of receiving, contentment and prosperity, the likes of which had eluded me for most of my life.