Speaker Spotlight: Matthew "Whiz" Buckley, No Fallen Heroes Foundation
Matthew Buckley, No Fallen Heroes Foundation
Interviewed by Jen Coleman, CEO of My Elevated Experience
Q: What is the No Fallen Heroes Foundation?
The No Fallen Heroes Foundation is a 501c3 (pending) non-profit dedicated to saving and changing the lives of Veterans, First Responders, and their families with psychedelic assisted therapy. Anywhere from 22-44 Veterans take their own lives every day in this country and our mission is to bring that number to 0. We provide healing grants for eligible recipients, so they do not have to pay out of pocket for treatment. We currently utilize retreat centers in Mexico and Costa Rica but have our first healing retreat scheduled in Colorado for this fall. It is time to Heal our Heroes at Home.
Q: What motivated you to start this foundation?
I lost a sister to a drunk driver when she was a 19-year-old freshman in college and also suffered sexual abuse as a child. I hid these traumas and entered the United States Navy, flying F/A-18 Hornets over the skies of Iraq and graduating from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). During my military career I lost 16 squadronmates due to mishaps. I also lost 3 best friends to suicide. My childhood and military trauma built up deep inside me and released in unhealthy ways – drugs, alcohol, relationships. I needed help – 3 years ago I found it with psychedelic medicine, and it saved and changed my life. I knew this would help others as well and decided to dedicate the rest of my life to this healing mission.
Q: What has been your experience with psychedelics and healing?
In 2021 I went to Mexico with Marcus Luttrell (Navy SEAL, author of Lone Survivor), Jarred Taylor (founder Black Rifle Coffee), another veteran Navy SEAL, and a former NFL star suffering from CTE. It was 30 years of therapy in a weekend – it saved and changed my life. We sat with Ibogaine and 5 MEO DMT. Since that healing retreat I sat with Iboga for a ‘tune up’ this year. I have never been a better human, father, husband because of psychedelics.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your team?
The No Fallen Heroes Foundation is a diverse, experienced dream team. NHL 2-time Stanley Cup champion Daniel Carcillo, SEAL Team star AJ Buckley, Booze Traveler host Jack Maxwell, and psychedelic hedge fund star Cody Shandraw make up our advisory board. Our Chief Medical Officer is a female former F-14 Tomcat pilot with combat experience who left the Navy and became a doctor. Dr. Kristin “Rosie” Barnes sat with the medicine this year and helps our healing grant recipients before and after treatment while exploring new psychedelic studies and trends. Nicole Fox is our Director of Medicine Operations and has vast experience and knowledge of several healing modalities. Suzi Buckley is our Executive Director (and my beautiful bride).
Q: How do you connect veterans with psychedelics?
Veterans rely on the word of other veterans to take action. Our No Fallen Heroes Instagram and other social media accounts post quality content about our mission. We also utilize the MAX Afterburner podcast to promote our mission, which is currently ranked in the top 2.5% of podcasts around the world. The best way to connect Veterans with psychedelics is spread the word and we do a very good job at getting the word out.
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