23. Life Updates: Moving To Wisconsin, Mental Health Treatments, Psychedelics, & Starting My Ph.D

On episode 23 of A Chat with Uma, I provide an honest and unfiltered life update in light of many recent major life changes. I share openly and honestly about the difficulties I faced in moving to Wisconsin, and all that has transpired in this adjustment period. I speak about the struggles that contributed to my experience, as well as the steps I took to work through them. I talk through my most recent psychedelic experience and its contribution to the upward spiral that I have embarked upon since moving to Madison. I share from the heart about my recovery and healing process, and how it has looked far different than I ever expected. I share updates on my current treatment process, and I talk through the start of my Ph.D in neuroscience. Overall, this episode opens a window into the complexity and ever-evolving journey of recovery, discovery, healing, and growth that I am on, with the hope of creating a space for you to allow and accept the true nature of your own life experience with honesty and compassion.

Topics Discussed (+ timestamps):

(00:00:00) Hello, check-in, overview of episode

(00:06:29) Update: Video + event recording repository of many past events

(00:08:53) Update: You can now support my work on Ko-Fi!

(00:11:21) Background on episode: where I was at our last life update/check-in

• Contextual episodes:

1. ⁠⁠⁠01. My Full Story: 0 to 26⁠⁠⁠
2. 02-04. My Mental Health Journey: ⁠⁠Part 1⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Part 2⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Part 3⁠⁠
3. ⁠⁠⁠05. Yes, I've Done Psychedelics: From Psychonaut to Researcher⁠⁠⁠
4. ⁠06-07. The Ketamine Diaries - OCD, PTSD, Depression, & Chronic Pain: ⁠⁠Part. 1⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠⁠Part 2⁠⁠

(00:18:47) Recap of this past summer and my state of being since graduating in May

(00:23:52) Reflections on my fear of fear, and working to accept my reality

(00:33:16) Recap of moving from Dallas to Madison

(00:39:57) My most recent psychedelic experience: why I did it, and all that resulted

(00:50:05) Reflections and updates on recovery, growth, and change post-session; Reflections on how living in Madison is unexpectedly supporting my healing

(00:58:46) Updates on where I am with therapy/treatment; Embarking on new treatment for my comorbid OCD & PTSD

(01:05:07) Updates on starting my Ph.D in Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Major changes I am making to my life & way of operating

(01:14:24) Final thoughts, reflections, calls to action, and hopes for the future

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