Ep. 124 - Four Years Later: From the Border to the Beltway

Four years ago, Matthew “Whiz” Buckley crossed the border into Mexico with three fellow veterans and an NFL veteran—each seeking healing through psychedelic-assisted therapy after traditional methods failed to address the invisible wounds of war, trauma, and addiction.

What began as a deeply personal journey has now become a national mission through the No Fallen Heroes Foundation. In this powerful episode of The MAX Afterburner Podcast, Whiz reflects on how far the movement has come—and how the past three weeks may represent a historic turning point for veteran mental health care in the United States.

Highlights from the episode include:
•        A public cabinet-level briefing on the role of psychedelics and nonprofits in the future of veteran care
•        Whiz’s in-person meeting with VA Secretary Collins in Washington, D.C., advocating for access, research, and reform
•        Updates from the federal summit on psychedelic medicine, bringing together scientists, policymakers, and veteran advocates
•        Breaking news: The FDA Commissioner confirms that exploring psychedelic medicine is a “top priority” for the Trump administration
•        The nomination of a new U.S. Surgeon General who claims psilocybin helped her heal and find love
The episode closes with a forward-looking vision:

Over the next four years, Whiz sees the rescheduling of psychedelic medicines, the creation of veteran vouchers, and stronger partnerships between the VA and nonprofit organizations delivering real-world outcomes.
This episode is more than a reflection—it's a rally cry. The mission is clear: healing our heroes at home starts now.