New Episode! #341 With Jay Kopelman, Executive Director of the Mission Within Foundation

Jay Kopelman is the Executive Director of the Mission Within Foundation, dedicated to expanding access to psychedelic therapy for veterans navigating the invisible wounds of war—PTSD, mild traumatic brain injury, depression, and addiction.

Their Website: Mission Within Foundation | Funding Psychedelic Therapy for Veterans & First Responders

A New York Times bestselling author, former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, and two-time cancer survivor, transformed by ibogaine and  5-MeO-DMT therapy himself, Jay brings exceptional passion, lived experience, and urgency to this work.

Jay works tirelessly to raise funds to provide psychedelic therapy scholarships for veterans and first responders in need. He has dedicated his life to service – either as an officer of the Marines for 20 years, a healthcare leader for 10 years, seeking improved patient outcomes (Johnson & Johnson, Airstrip); or as a business advisor to veteran entrepreneurs.

A year after his transformation, Jay has evolved from participant to President and Executive Director of Mission Within Foundation, having raised over $2 million to fund scholarships. He has firsthand knowledge of what’s at stake. In 2024, after a lifetime of service and battles both internal and external, he underwent a profound healing journey through ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT. His authenticity, transparency, and courage in sharing his own story have been the catalysts.

Jay’s fight for mental health access is personal and lifelong. From a young age, he felt called to defend those who couldn’t defend themselves. As a Marine, he served with honor—including in combat in Iraq. As an author (From Baghdad with Love), he helped reshape public perceptions of war and recovery. As a nonprofit leader, he’s supported countless causes—animal rescue, wounded warriors, humanitarian relief. Also a cancer survivor, he understands what it means to face death and choose to fight—not just for himself, but for others.

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All opinions expressed by the guest belong to only the guest and are not always reflected by the host. 

The OTR podcast: The Trauma Recovery Podcast for Veterans, First Responders, and their families.

Creator and Host Mark Meincke

Sponsored by ShopVeteran.ca by Canadian Legacy Project

Produced by Jessika Dupuis

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