Jeremy Hudec joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2005. During his service, he began experiencing a range of challenges, including depression, isolation, insomnia, emotional numbness, avoidance behaviors, negative self-perceptions, hyper-arousal, and heightened reactivity. In 2010, he was formally diagnosed with PTSD and referred to a local clinic specializing in treating military veterans and RCMP members. Jeremy received regular treatment for the next five years and resumed treatment again in 2022.
"I felt like I tried every method of therapy that had been asked of me and took numerous different medications that were prescribed, but I never really felt 'better'. I couldn't seem to get past many challenges, and I just accepted that maybe it was as good as it was going to be - further improvement or feeling 'normal' were unattainable notions. I had exhausted all avenues possible to achieve this."
- JEREMY HUDEC
THEN, THERE WAS 'HOPE'.....
The first glimmer of a new path appeared unexpectedly. While listening to a five-hour episode of the Shawn Ryan Show podcast, a brief, almost-missed sidebar conversation between the host and a guest caught Jeremy’s attention.
They weren't discussing scientific data, but something far more resonant: changes in their own wellbeing. They spoke of no longer needing to drink, and of being more present and engaged with their families.
That seed of hope didn't sprout immediately, but it lingered. After a few days, compelled by the thought that there might be another way, Jeremy went back to find the clip. He then took the crucial step of reaching out to the host directly. In a pivotal moment, the host graciously replied, providing the names of the two substances used in the treatment, Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT. They were terms Jeremy had never encountered before, but they would go on to change everything.
Intrigued, Jeremy began researching these treatments further and discussing the possibilities with his loved ones. For the first time in a long while, he felt a powerful sense of hope, a feeling that compelled him to take a chance on this unconventional path.
Jeremy traveled to Mexico for the treatment, and the results were transformative. Immediately after the sessions, he felt lighter than he had in nearly 20 years. The weight of trauma, sadness, anger, self-doubt, judgement, and bitterness seemed to lift entirely. He seemed to find a new sense of purpose, and felt more connected to a higher power than ever before, and felt a renewed sense of self-worth that he hadn't felt in decades. Remarkably, the tools he had long used to simply function were no longer necessary. The reliance on cannabis to quiet his mind for sleep, or a drink to relax enough to be social, had vanished. He was free from the constant effort of coping.
FILLED WITH RESOLVE
After returning from his retreat, Jeremy and his wife knew they wanted to help others experience a renewed sense of wellbeing, as he had. To pay it forward, they sponsored a veteran to attend a retreat, but the question kept arising: “How can we stop at just one?” The truth was.....they felt like they couldn't.
It also became painfully evident how few charitable options existed for Canadian veterans and first responders compared to their American counterparts. Determined to bridge this gap, Jeremy envisioned a way to fund retreats for Canadian veterans and first responders struggling with PTSD, advocate for the legalization and responsible use of psychedelics, and raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
From this resolve, Project Life Spark was born.
Meet the people guiding Project Life Spark