In this episode, Thad talks with Dr. Blaine Lints, a former Navy SEAL, ultra-endurance athlete, and PhD researcher who pushed his body and mind to the edge — and found his way back through psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Blaine shares his journey from running 100-mile races at 16 to surviving BUD/S and combat in Mosul, then chasing perfection through pro-level Ironman training and academic performance. Eventually, the same drive that fueled his success nearly broke him — until he discovered Ibogaine and 5 MEO DMT a powerful psychedelic being studied for trauma, anxiety, and brain injury recovery in veterans.

This conversation dives deep into performance, burnout, and brain recovery, exploring how psychedelics are reshaping what it means to be “hardwired for the edge.”

Resources and Links

• Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly

• Alone and Unafraid Podcast

• Pole Star Coffee

• The Mission Within – Veteran Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT therapy

• UT Austin Center for Psychedelic Research & Therapy

  UT Dallas Center for Brainhealth

👤 Guest Info:

Blaine Lints is a former Navy SEAL, ultra-endurance athlete, and PhD researcher in Applied Physiology at the University of South Carolina. His work explores human performance, cognitive resilience, and the potential of psychedelics like Ibogaine to repair the brain and reset the nervous system.

💬 Standout Quotes:

• “I’d done everything to optimize my body — Ibogaine was the first thing that optimized my mind.”

• “For warriors, psychedelics aren’t about escape. They’re about coming home.”

• “Performance at the edge isn’t sustainable — it’s what you learn when you finally step back from it.”

If you’re a veteran, service member, first responder, or anyone exploring mindset, performance, and healing — check out Alone and Unafraid wherever you listen to podcasts.
Visit aloneandunafraid.org to learn more.