Worth The Fight Podcast

Psychedelic pioneer and living legend Dr. James Fadiman shares his expansive wisdom on how to get the most out of an intentional microdosing protocol. There is an explosive cultural phenomenon of people using "micro" doses of psychedelic medicine to boost mood and energy levels; Dr. Fadiman breaks down why and the mechanism at play here, illuminating the wondrous Possibility in microdosing for health, well-being, expansive creativity, and deeper connection(s). 

Show Notes Dr. James Fadiman: 

We Discuss;

-Massive surge in microdosing: Cultural phenomenon [6:30]

-Microdosing for depression [9:30]

-Microdosing and Connection/Se...

Michael Holland joins the show for a raw, powerful conversation about the journey back home—moving through disenchantment and disconnection, and into embodied self-love. He shares how experiences with Ayahuasca, 5-MeO-DMT, and Psilocybin helped catalyze his spiritual awakening, fueling the energy, clarity, and purpose he now brings to the world. From his collaboration with Wim Hof to his viral impact inspiring millions, Mike is leading a Mind/Body/Energy movement rooted in simplicity: breath, movement, nature. This episode is a reminder that the path forward isn't more complexity—it's coming home to the fundamentals that make us feel fully aliv...

It was a special honor to share the stage with spiritual neuroscientist Dr. Jasmine Escalera and explore the intersection of neuroscience, healing, and conscious living. Dr. Jasmine shares her personal journey confronting ancestral trauma and breaking inherited generational patterns, revealing how awareness, integration practices, and courageous inner work can transform our lives. Together we discuss psychedelics, relationships, and practical tools for cultivating deeper self-awareness so we can step into our fullest expression and live with greater purpose, presence, and freedom.

Connect with Dr. Jasmine Escalera:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jasmineescaleracoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://w...

Worth The Fight Podcast #159, James shares a powerful journey from addiction to alignment. Once trapped in crippling addiction and trauma-bonded relationships, he made the courageous decision to leave his old life behind—including the identity that came with it. Reclaiming his birth name, James, he stepped into a bold new chapter rooted in health, discipline, and service. In this conversation, he reflects on hitting rockbottom and unexpected healing that emerged through psychedelic experiences with LSD and MDMA, which helped him process deep wounds and transform the energy of trauma into the energy of life. Today, he channels the same in...

Trauma isn't just what happens to us — it's what we hold inside when there's no empathetic witness. In this video, I share how empathy, coaching, and radical accountability helped transform my life and the lessons I've learned from investing over $50K in my own growth and working with 200+ coaching clients.

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org

Matt's substack weekly newsletter: https://itsworththefight.substack.com

To book an intro call: https://calendly.com/mattssimpson-79/prosperity_pathways_intro_call

Love, peace + prosperity,

Matt

#businesscoach #highperformance #traumainformed #prosperity #abundancemindset

In Episode #157 of the Worth The Fight Podcast, I sit down with Rob Mack—celebrity happiness coach and author—to explore creating happiness from the Inside out.

We explore:

* Why high-achievers often chase success before inner peace

* How unconditional happiness becomes a performance advantage

* The hidden cost of attachment to outcomes

* Why strength is emotional regulation—not suppression

* How to build a resilient nervous system in chaotic times Rob shares insights from positive psychology, lived experience, and years of coaching elite performers. This conversation bridges inner work and ou...

Ayahuasca is a powerful Amazonian plant medicine—typically a brew combining Banisteriopsis caapi and a DMT-containing plant—that works by quieting the ego and opening deep subconscious and emotional layers. It's not recreational; it's deeply spiritual—and surgical. Like a laser guided missile the intuitive medicine, takes us right to that thing; the past trauma, the heavy emotions we'd rather ignore. The medicine amplifies what's already inside you, which is why set and setting are everything. Your mindset, intentions, environment, and guide matter as much as the brew itself. Follow the dieta. Clean up your inputs. Start journaling early—the journ...

In the same way Johns Hopkins University is proving that depression, trauma, anxiety, and addiction aren't permanent—but rewirable—I believe scarcity works the same way. Impossible goals create momentum. Momentum reshapes identity. This isn't about chasing money; it's about alignment, values, and strategic audacity. Raise the floor with tighter habits, fewer compromises, and higher standards. Heal the past, free energy in the present, and let a clear future pull you forward. The same framework that heals hearts and minds scales lives: bold vision, disciplined floor, focused action, aligned flow.

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org 

To w...

Unprocessed trauma isn't weakness—it's untapped strength. The thing you can't stop thinking about is often the doorway to your next level. When you do the brave inner work—when you slow down, write it out, and stop trying to outwork or out-optimize it—you free up energy that's been trapped in the past. That energy returns to the present moment, giving you more clarity, presence, and bandwidth to envision a bigger future. Journaling isn't just reflection—it's release. Commit to 30 days. Trust the process. As you unburden yourself, you create space for aligned blessings to come forth. Letting go is lo...

The single most impactful health purchase I've ever made is WHOOP—and it's not even close. Why? It eliminates self-deception. Most people think they sleep well, think they're active, think they're recovered—until the data tells the truth. HRV is the master signal, revealing nervous-system capacity, resilience, and readiness beyond feelings. Add recovery score and you know whether to push or restore. Steps and strain expose real movement and effort. Resting heart rate tracks baseline health and stress load. And deep and REM sleep? That's where physical repair, emotional processing, and mental sharpness are earned—not guessed. This isn't obsess...

High-achievers don't burn out from effort—they burn out from misalignment. The symptoms persist because energy is leaking through misaligned habits, relationships, and inputs, and awareness without action quietly becomes suffering. Real transformation is inward-first: subtle, honest shifts compound—cleaner inputs, firmer boundaries, aligned community, and mentors who've actually climbed the mountain. This kind of courage polarizes. As you change, clarity sharpens, intimacy deepens, and the trivial falls away. Lifestyle redesign isn't radical—it's honest. It's the conscious return to self-love, coherence, and real vitality.

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org

To book an intro call...

Non-reactivity is the most misunderstood high-performance skill on earth because people confuse it with weakness, passivity, or disengagement. In reality, as demonstrated by Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, non-violent resistance is physically passive but spiritually and psychologically ferocious. It is disciplined nervous-system mastery. When you stop reacting, you stop hemorrhaging energy. Meditation, stillness, and intentional pauses aren't "soft"—they strip away BS Inc., emotional noise, and ego reflexes so you can see reality clearly and act with precision. For high-achievers, this is the ultimate edge: fewer impulsive decisions, cleaner boundaries, unshakable presence, and leverage under pressure. Infinite po...

Death is the great clarifier. When we sit with death as a teacher, we feel the urgency to love deeper, speak truer, forgive faster, and risk more bravely. Living fully isn't about doing more. It's about choosing what truly matters — and having the courage to live it now.

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org 

To watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProsperityPathwaysTV

To book an intro call: https://calendly.com/mattssimpson-79/prosperity_pathways_intro_call

Love, peace + prosperity,
Matt

The question I get asked most—quietly, earnestly, and often in passing—is: How did you escape the rat race? In this video, I break down what that question is really pointing to: deep disenchantment, identity fatigue, and the longing for a life with more meaning, balance, and autonomy. I share what I've seen in my coaching work—some people don't leave their careers, they recommit consciously, bringing nervous-system regulation, healthy boundaries, and psychedelic-informed principles into their work so they can thrive without burning out. Others truly need to pivot—but that path requires patience, and a plan. And a commit...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with a USMC veteran and former sniper, who opens up about life after service, the challenges when returning home. Alex shares his powerful journey around the values of Joy, Social Connection and Purpose, and how psychedelics helped to inspire the vision of his future self. This honest conversation explores trauma, healing, stigma, and the growing conversation around psychedelics as a tool for recovery and mental wellness. A must-listen for veterans, families, and anyone interested in the future of mental health treatment.

For veterans seeking to heal with natural psychedelic plant m...

In month 17 of an 18-month travel journey of healing and decompressing my overloaded nervous system, it hit me. Crystal clear clarity for the path ahead. The turning point came unexpectedly, while doing stretching, mid-yoga pose on the floor of a Grass Valley Airbnb, when a lightning-bolt clarity hit: this was my life's work, marking a clear shift from self-healing to wholehearted service—and a reminder to be careful what you wish for, because it eventually arrives.

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org 

To watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProsperityPathwaysTV

To book an in...

Depression affects over 280 million people worldwide—nearly 4% of our human family. In this Daily Dose, I share how I overcame lifelong depression and the practical tools, practices, and mindset shifts that helped lift me out of a depressed state and into stable, vibrant mental health. For me, the careful, intentional use of psychedelia was not just a catalyst—it was a cure, helping resolve the underlying patterns that kept me stuck and restoring a sense of clarity, vitality, and aliveness that has endured.

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org 

To watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube...

Today marks the 7-year anniversary of Worth The Fight: Love book for love day.

Harmonizing Addiction: About 90% of my addictive impulses—gone. Poof. Vanished. Not overnight. Not without setbacks. But undeniably real. Since beginning intentional medicine work with psychedelia, my relationship with alcohol has shifted by roughly 90%. What once pulled at me lost its grip. The psychedelic movement will help our collective, the Industrial Addiction Recovery Complex is a $500 Billion dollar a year business. In today's Daily Dose, I go deep on how psychedelia—when paired with aligned practices—can harmonize addiction, not through suppression, but through awaren...

Hormesis is the art of small, intentional stress that makes you stronger. Cold sharpens resilience. Sauna boosts heat-shock proteins and recovery. Exercise rebuilds the body upward. Breathwork trains nervous-system control. Fasting activates repair and renewal. Applied wisely, these stressors don't break you—they forge antifragility, clarity, and energy.

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org 

To watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProsperityPathwaysTV

To book an intro call: https://calendly.com/mattssimpson-79/prosperity_pathways_intro_call

Love, peace + prosperity,
Matt

In a culture marked by rising mistrust, vulnerability—when guided by discernment—is a superpower. As Brené Brown teaches, courage isn't oversharing; it's intentional openness. Many of our masks were built to survive childhood, but they now block connection. When we lower them wisely, trust forms—the foundation of powerful coaching, deep romance, and real transformation. Balanced vulnerability invites safety, alignment, and profound growth.

Brene Brown's TedTalk: https://youtu.be/iCvmsMzlF7o?si=f4qz_FT-cxvR3EL4

Watch podcasts on YouTube: 

https://www.youtube.com/@ProsperityPathwaysTV

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org

Ever wonder what your feed would feel like if it were built on real connection—not algorithmic manipulation?

Yes, Substack has algorithms. But the incentive structure is different. It rewards depth, consistency, and thoughtful engagement—not outrage or dopamine hijacking. Lately, I've felt deeply aligned—settling into life after a family crucible, honoring my parents' legacy of kindness, service, and romance. That energy flows into my Monday Substack, where I write about rewiring scarcity, optimizing holistic health, expanding service impact, and scaling business from a grounded place.

The client transformations have been profound. That momentum fuels...

Morning routines have become super buzzy in our culture, but a consistent PM ritual quietly determines your next day's energy, focus, and resilience. Limiting blue light protects sleep quality. A short wind-down walk or sunset pause signals to your nervous system that the workday is complete. Clear tech boundaries matter—swap doomscrolling for something enriching and restorative: like journaling, reading, listening to podcasts or audiobooks. Mornings are for intentionality and evenings are for gratitude. 

Book an intro call: https://calendly.com/mattssimpson-79/prosperity_pathways_intro_call

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org 

 <...

The obstacle is the way. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way. -Marcus Aurelius

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org

Book intro call here: https://calendly.com/mattssimpson-79/prosperity_pathways_intro_call

Let's indulge in a little AI humor with this one. We're told it's an existential threat—and yet it still struggles to draft an email :) Yes, a real wave of change is here (I've even seen the first driverless cars), but much of today's narrative around AI is dangerous hype to garner more interest. 

The AI scaling laws have stalled; this feels more like a souped-up Camry than a Ferrari. They are losing billions, and the economic viability is in question. 

Dr. Cal Newport from The Deep Questions Podcast and Georgetown's Center for Digital Ethics has...

In this episode, I share a powerful client testimonial from Chris, who reflects on his Magic n' Microdosing journey during a major life-changing moment. Through intentional microdosing, nervous-system regulation, and simple daily practices, Chris experienced a noticeable lift in mood, clarity, and focus—allowing him to redirect energy back into himself when it mattered most. His story speaks to grounded healing, real integration, and what's possible when inner work meets courage.

"The microdosing and all these practices we started implementing really started working and lifting my spirits up during the middle of a major life-changing event… It made...

Perfectionism is a clever delay tactic. We don't learn by thinking—we learn 1,000× faster in motion. Start before you feel ready. Take the next actionable step: a ten-minute tidy, a rough draft, a first rep. Action collapses overthinking and unlocks the creative process. Beware the predictable traps—endless researching, reading, and preparing. You don't need mastery to serve; you only need to be a few steps ahead. Start now.

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org

To book an intro call: https://calendly.com/mattssimpson-79/prosperity_pathways_intro_call

Unspoken words don't disappear—they calcify as low-vibration thought energy that quietly taxes the nervous system and the body. The art of discernment is knowing when and with whom to speak your truth—hold the gold when needed, but don't fawn, freeze, or self-abandon; even naming truth in a journal begins the physiological repair.

To book an intro call: 

https://calendly.com/mattssimpson-79/prosperity_pathways_intro_call

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org 

In the same way Johns Hopkins University is rewiring dis-ease into wellness in psychedelic clinical trials, I believe we can rewire scarcity into abundance. This is the third wave. We've been here before and can learn from yesteryears misteps. In 2026, there has never been more psychedelic science, ever. We have a much stronger cultural container, and I believe we can steer this wisely. So much to be hopeful for as psychedelia continues to enter the mainstream.

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org

To schedule an intro call: https://calendly.com/mattssimpson-79/prosperity_pathways_intro_call<...

Fight. Flight. Freeze. Fawn?

Fawning isn't weakness—it's a survival strategy wired in during moments when safety depended on keeping others happy. But what once protected you now quietly sabotages trust, intimacy, and self-respect. People-pleasing feels kind, yet it's fundamentally dishonest: you're managing reactions instead of telling the truth. And people feel that. Especially in dating. The opposite of "nice" isn't mean—it's authentic. Real inner work becomes a built-in BS meter, helping you discern when to speak, when to pause, and when you're betraying yourself for approval. Liberation begins the moment you stop choosing acceptance over trut...

Yesterday was the coldest day of the year here in Miami. We still got into the cold plunge. This short video is all about activating motivation and focus through deliberate cold exposure. Science calls it hormetic stress: brief, intentional discomfort that builds resilience and steadies the nervous system. Yes, there are risks—protocol matters, and less is often more. I share more about the Wim Hof Method and why this breathing technique is a potent integration strategy and very aligned with microdosing and psychedelia in general, and why its having its moment in our culture. 

Want to sta...

Finding the sweet spot is everything. Real growth happens in the Goldilocks Zone—not too much, not too little. Start low. Go slow. Take time off. Whether it's microdosing, creativity, or healing, the goal isn't intensity—it's sustainability. When the dose is right, empathy increases, plasticity opens, and flow becomes accessible during the week, while deeper healing can unfold when space allows. Long-term transformation isn't about pushing harder—it's about listening closely, adjusting with awareness, and honoring the rhythm that actually works for your nervous system and your life.

For more information: www.worththefightbook.org 

What if each step wasn't just movement—but actual medicine? A simple 10–15 minute walk after meals can cut glucose spikes by 20–30%, sharpen thinking (we solve problems best around ~3 MPH), and bring us back into alignment with how we evolved to live—moving often, gently, and daily. From AM walks to PM strolls, yoga to lifting, dancing to cycling, Zone 2 is the quiet powerhouse: low stress, high return. It builds an aerobic base, improves insulin sensitivity, sparks mitochondrial mitogenesis, clears out the old wiring via mitophagy, and delivers compounding energy over time. Psychedelics can boost mood and motivation—movement is how you tu...

From ManBoobs to Best Self.

This isn't about willpower or white-knuckling weight loss—it's about awareness. Psychedelic-informed work helped me rebuild interoceptive awareness: actually feeling what my body needs instead of intellectualizing unhealthy habits. As I tuned into nourishment, cut toxic, nutrient-dead food, and recommitted to simple practices—real ingredients, batch-cooked veggies, probiotic foods—my body responded naturally. Weight loss became a byproduct of self-love, energy returned, mood lifted, and digestion improved (remember: ~90% of serotonin lives in the gut). This episode shares practical strategies for eating with clarity, navigating social food pressure, and choosing embodiment over autopilot. 

L...

Can microdosing help bring balance to addictive patterns? For many, yes—when approached with care, intention, and self-honesty. Rather than suppressing urges, intentional microdosing can create space to observe habits with greater awareness and choice. When paired with practices like movement, breathwork, meditation, journaling, and time in nature, it can support healthier relationships with substances, behaviors, emotions, and compulsions. This isn't about perfection or quick fixes—it's about harmony. Learning faster, choosing differently, and reconnecting with your innate capacity for self-regulation. There is another way forward, and it begins with intention.

Love, peace & prosperity,
Matt

Our brains and nervous systems are not fixed—they are living, adaptive systems constantly responding to how we think, sleep, move, feel, and meet challenges. In this episode, I explore the science of neuroplasticity and how we can intentionally rewire our brains for greater joy, vibrancy, and connection at any stage of life. We break down why sleep is foundational for lasting change, how stress and challenge act as catalysts for growth, and how intentional practices can direct plasticity toward what truly matters. When we work with the nervous system rather than against it, transformation becomes not just possible bu...

Social media isn't free—it's funded by your attention, and the cost is higher than most people realize. What masquerades as poor focus, sleep issues, and low motivation is often something more systemic: an engineered attention economy designed to train your brain for novelty instead of depth. In this episode, I share my personal experience with a digital declutter and unpack how constant scrolling fragments attention, crushes flow, hijacks our dopamine, and our dreams. We explore why "it's not that bad" and "it's the world we live in" are usually ego talking, how attention residue erodes your highest-value work, an...

Most people stepping into psychedelics today have no idea where this movement came from—and that's a problem, because the past is often the clearest preview of our future. In this episode, we walk through the three waves of psychedelics: the ancient indigenous roots (and the compelling idea that these medicines may be connected to the origins of major religions), the explosive Western surge of the 1950s–70s after Albert Hofmann's discovery of LSD and the rise of psilocybin in modern culture, and the counterculture "60s Psychedelic Revolution" peak marked by Tim Leary's "Tune in. Turn on. Drop out." From...

In 2025, an estimated 10 million Americans are microdosing—up from 8 million in 2023—and this shift isn't random… it's a signal. We're living through rapid cultural change, AI acceleration, nervous system overload, and a mental health crisis that's pushing people to seek new solutions beyond the old "BS Inc." defaults of alcohol, pills, and burnout. In this short podcast/YouTube video, I break down what's driving the rise, how microdosing may support neuroplasticity, adaptability, and emotional resilience, and why responsible use matters. I share how to get the most out of an intentional microdosing journey and the aligned synergistic practices and why I...

A 2024 study found that just 25g of dark chocolate—about 1/3 of a standard bar—can boost cognitive performance and concentration during demanding mental tasks. And honestly… I'm not surprised. My favorite plant medicine might actually be raw, organic cacao. Yes, I love psilocybin (that playful little mushroom) and ayahuasca (which completely re-charted my life). But cacao? I have it almost daily—heart-opening, mood-boosting, and session-supercharging. Before coaching, I'll grab a square of Taza Wicked Dark 95% and slide straight into flow state—where learning quickens, creativity sharpens, and productivity soars. Think: flavanols + anandamide + clean energy… just don't confuse this with some BS-Inc...

Seven weeks. That's all it took for my client "Jerry" to go from brain fog, stress, and stagnation… to a $500K consulting opportunity. And that was just the beginning. When we last talked he was billing $160K per month.    The real win wasn't just the big contracts—it was regaining clarity, energy, and alignment. Microdosing was part of the process, but the magic came from stacking intentional practices, reducing stress, and creating space for Possibility.   Love, peace + prosperity, Matt   www.worththefightbook.org