Professional athletes often embody strength, resilience, and discipline — but behind the scenes, many carry deep physical and emotional wounds. In a powerful conversation, former UFC title contender Ian McCall shares how his life shifted from elite combat sports into psychedelic research and coaching. His story is not simply about plant medicine; it is about survival, reinvention, and finding meaning after a life defined by competition.
Life After the Cage
For years, Ian McCall lived in a world of intensity. Martial arts shaped his identity from childhood, and the relentless pursuit of greatness pushed him to physical and mental extremes. Like many fighters, he endured countless blows to the head, eventually experiencing traumatic brain injury that affected both his performance and wellbeing. When his fighting career ended, he faced a reality familiar to many athletes — loss of purpose, chronic pain, and a sense of isolation.
He speaks candidly about reaching a breaking point after retirement, describing struggles with addiction and depression that left him feeling disconnected from himself. The transition away from the spotlight forced him to confront questions he had long avoided: Who was he beyond the cage? And how could he heal the damage accumulated over decades of competition?
Early Encounters With Psychedelics
Psychedelics were not new to Ian’s life. Growing up in a family familiar with plant medicine, he encountered substances like cannabis and psychedelics early on. Yet it wasn’t until later, during his darkest period, that these tools took on a new meaning. What began as curiosity evolved into a deliberate search for healing.
A pivotal moment came when he experienced a profound psychedelic journey that shifted his perspective on his own life. Instead of masking pain, the experience forced him to confront the reality of his condition — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He describes this period as the beginning of a long process rather than a single transformative event.
Healing the Brain and Rebuilding Identity
One of Ian’s strongest motivations became understanding traumatic brain injury. Years of combat sports had left him dealing with cognitive challenges, emotional instability, and physical symptoms. Rather than accepting these as permanent, he began researching neuroplasticity and the potential role of psychedelics in brain recovery.
Through experimentation, lifestyle changes, and collaboration with scientists and practitioners, he explored how altered states of consciousness might support healing. He combined microdosing, larger ceremonial experiences, and complementary practices like diet, exercise, and meditation. Over time, he noticed improvements in mood, clarity, and overall wellbeing.
For Ian, healing wasn’t just about repairing brain damage — it was about redefining who he was. The fighter identity that once defined him began to transform into something broader: mentor, coach, and advocate for athlete wellbeing.
From Personal Healing to Collective Mission
As his own recovery progressed, Ian felt compelled to help others facing similar challenges. Many athletes, he explains, sacrifice their health and personal lives in pursuit of excellence, only to find themselves without direction after retirement. This realization led him to develop programs focused on guiding athletes through psychedelic-assisted healing and personal growth.
His work emphasizes creating an ecosystem of support — combining research, coaching, and community. Rather than viewing athletes solely as competitors, he encourages them to become leaders and mentors within their own communities. The goal is not only recovery but reintegration into meaningful roles beyond sport.
Bridging Science and Experience
Throughout the conversation, Ian highlights the importance of collaboration between lived experience and scientific research. While he acknowledges that he is not a traditional scientist, he sees himself as a bridge between academic knowledge and real-world application. By sharing his story publicly, he hopes to reduce stigma and encourage open dialogue about alternative approaches to healing.
He also recognizes the importance of data and research in validating these practices. Working alongside researchers, he explores ways to measure changes in brain health, inflammation, and emotional wellbeing. Yet he emphasizes that numbers alone cannot capture the depth of personal transformation — stories and lived experiences remain equally important.
Beyond Physical Healing
One of the most profound aspects of Ian’s journey is the realization that healing extends beyond the body. After addressing physical symptoms and addiction, he began to explore deeper emotional and spiritual dimensions. Psychedelic experiences, he says, opened doors to understanding unresolved trauma and reconnecting with a sense of purpose.
This process was not always comfortable. Confronting inner struggles required vulnerability and patience. But through sustained effort, he found a renewed sense of direction — one rooted not in competition but in service.
Athletes as Agents of Change
Ian believes that athletes have a unique platform to inspire transformation. Their visibility and influence allow them to share stories that resonate with a wide audience. By guiding athletes through their own healing journeys, he hopes to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond sports.
This vision reframes the narrative around athletes: instead of being defined solely by physical achievements, they become examples of resilience and personal growth. Healing, in this context, becomes a collective endeavor — a way to give back to communities that once supported their careers.
A Journey Still Unfolding
Ian McCall’s story illustrates how life after elite sport can become a new arena for growth. Psychedelics did not erase his past or eliminate every challenge, but they provided a framework for understanding himself more deeply. His transformation reflects a broader shift in how athletes approach mental health and recovery — moving from silence and stigma toward openness and exploration.
Ultimately, his journey reminds us that healing is rarely linear. It involves experimentation, integration, and the courage to confront difficult truths. For Ian, the path from fighter to researcher is not a departure from strength — it is an evolution of it, redefining what it means to be resilient in a world that often celebrates toughness while overlooking vulnerability.
Based on the Ayahuasca Podcast episode “UFC champion turned Ayahuasca researcher” with Sam Believ and Ian McCall.
