In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Mark “The Shark” Irwin — former bare-knuckle boxing world champion turned psychedelic mental health advocate. Known for fighting on heroic doses of psilocybin, Mark now leads a nonprofit supporting athletes recovering from traumatic brain injuries through psychedelic therapy.
We touch upon topics of:
- Mark’s story and fighting career journey (00:03:00)
- Microdosing and traumatic brain injury recovery (00:04:00)
- Fighting competitively on psilocybin (00:05:00)
- Flow state and performance enhancement through psychedelics (00:07:00)
- Legality and controversy around psychedelics in sports (00:09:00)
- Intentions and different uses of plant medicine (00:10:00)
- Psilocybin tolerance and intentional usage (00:11:00)
- Boxing, childhood trauma, and emotional release (00:13:00)
- The therapeutic use of psychedelics for brain healing (00:15:00)
- Mental health, masculinity, and emotional expression (00:20:00)
- Psychedelics and ego dissolution (00:29:00)
- Suicidal ideation, healing, and hope (00:33:00)
- Recovery protocols: red light, HBOT, integration (00:38:00)
- Future vision: healing others post-fighting (00:40:00)
- Movement, fitness, and somatic integration (00:42:00)
- Athletes Journey Home nonprofit & fundraising (00:44:00)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com
Find more about Mark Irwin at www.athletesjourneyhome.com or on Instagram @markthesharkirwin
