A growing number of people are using AI chatbots as “trip sitters”—a phrase that traditionally refers to a sober person tasked with monitoring someone who’s under the influence of a psychedelic—and sharing their experiences online. It’s a potent blend of two cultural trends: using AI for therapy and using psychedelics to alleviate mental-health problems. But this is a potentially dangerous psychological cocktail, according to experts. While it’s far cheaper than in-person psychedelic therapy, it can go badly awry.”

The above is an excerpt from an article in the MIT Technology Review which was published today. The title pulled me in with curiosity, and as I read it, it just felt all sorts of wrong. I get it, I come from the technology space for the last 15 years. I am intrigued with the opportunities around AI, but to leverage it during such a powerful transformational experience - is just not a good idea in any regard.

Early 2024, I invested in a 6 month course with InnerTrek Oregon to become a certified Psilocybin Facilitator.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into as this course offered so much more than I could have ever imagined - or needed as a facilitator.  The range of learning extended from right relationship between client and facilitator, the ethics of caring, a historical perspective on psilocybin, contraindications with pharmaceuticals and the idea of holding space (and more).  The idea of holding space was a new concept for me at that time and one that I have come to appreciate deeply as it has brought me a new perspective in how I engage with others.  

One of the first things I’ve heard was that you can only hold space to the extent of the amount of work you’ve done on yourself.  Let’s break it down.  What does it mean to not hold space?  It likely means you are being judgemental, not listening, trying to fix, allowing your emotions to get swept up in others, and likely trying to save them.  Any of those sound familiar?  Ultimately, holding space is the art of being with someone - not doing for them.  It’s one of the most powerful and generous things you can offer. It’s often what people truly need, not solutions, but someone who will sit with them in the dark without trying to switch on the light too soon (so to speak). 

Lately, I’ve been feeling the ebb. You know how life moves in waves, there are the expansive moments where everything clicks, and then there are the quieter ones, where things feel heavier or uncertain. I’ve been in the flow recently, making progress, growing. But right now, I’m sitting with the slower part of the cycle. The stillness. The questions.

When someone asks me what it’s like to take a heroic dose of psilocybin, I pause. Not because I don’t know, but because the experience is so far outside of everyday language that even the best metaphors feel like shadows of the real thing.  And, everyone’s experience can be uniquely different.

Still, it’s a powerful question. And an important one. Because behind the trippy visuals and mystical language is something deeply human, a chance to meet yourself in a way that most people never do.

Let’s be honest.  Not every psychedelic experience is a walk through fields of cosmic bliss. Sometimes it’s more like being dropped into a storm with no map. But here’s the thing: those challenging moments often hold the greatest keys to our growth if we know how to meet them.

At The Mind Shift Network, we don’t sugarcoat the psychedelic path. We’ve been there. We’ve guided many (and ourselves) through it. And we’ve learned that when things get hard, the right tools, mindset, and support can make all the difference. So if you ever find yourself deep in a journey and thinking, “I didn’t sign up for this,” this guide is for you.

You’ve built a life that looks solid from the outside. A successful career. A leadership role. Children who depend on you. And yet something inside feels fractured, distant, or off-track.

Maybe you’re a newly single parent trying to hold it all together while silently wondering if you’re showing up fully for your kids.
Maybe you’re an entrepreneur who’s hit every milestone and still feel like you're missing you in the process. Maybe you’ve just come out of a divorce, and the emotional weight is catching up to your body, your energy, your identity.

At The Mind Shift Network, we work with people just like you: grounded, high-functioning individuals who are doing the work of life, but sensing there’s something deeper asking to be met.

A few years ago, I made a conscious decision to step away from what I knew. Not because I had it all figured out, but because something deeper was calling me to grow. There was no clear roadmap, just a quiet knowing that it was time to change. Instead of resisting the uncertainty, I chose to meet it with curiosity. That shift changed everything.

In a world moving faster than most of us can process, leaders are waking up to a quiet truth: success without self-awareness leaves something vital behind.

As a coach working with startup founders and executives, I’ve witnessed the limitations of purely strategy-driven growth. Today’s leaders aren’t just seeking profit, they’re seeking presence, purpose, and a deeper connection to themselves and their work.

And in that search, an unexpected yet powerful ally has emerged: psilocybin.

The world of startups is fueled by vision, urgency, and the relentless pursuit of “what’s next.” As a founder, you’re no stranger to long hours, high stakes, and the ever-present pressure to create, grow, and scale. But beneath the pitch decks, investor updates, and product sprints, there’s something deeper stirring for many leaders; a quiet but persistent question.

And that future is already here.

Today’s most impactful leaders are no longer the ones who control the loudest rooms or stack the most wins. They’re the ones who lead with self-awareness, empathy, and truth. They’re connected. Courageous. Willing to look inward before they lead outward.

Stepping into a Vice President role was the career milestone I thought I had been working toward for years. After moving through various middle management positions, navigating team challenges, hitting KPIs, proving myself again and again, I believed I was prepared. I thought the bigger title, the higher salary, and the wider influence would feel like stepping into my power.

Starting a new role is always a pivotal moment, but when you step into a leadership position with high expectations, pressure from senior management, and a chaotic company culture, the weight can feel immense.