We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jonathan Chia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jonathan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
The first major risk I ever took caused the greatest consequences and placed my life directly into harm’s way. 9-11 took place right after I graduated high school. Already a father right out of high school, in 2006, I left my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, and enlisted into the U.S Army. I hadn’t come from a military family and didn’t really know much about it. I chose to be an Infantryman because that sounded like the most badass a kid like me could be, at the time. Already 24 when I went to Basic Training, I knew I wanted to serve my country and get out of my hometown. Before I knew it, I was on an airplane flying to Ft. Benning (Now Ft. Moore), in Columbus, Georgia. The “Home of the Infantry”, arriving in the dead of winter to complete my Basic Training.
After four months of training, I graduated and got assigned to Ft. Lewis, in Washington state as my duty station. I would train with my unit 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry “Tomahawks,” as part of the Stryker Brigade of the Legendary 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) for the next year. Strykers are basically a light tank that rolls on thick tires and serves as an Armored Personnel Carrier. Shortly after being assigned there, I was gathered alongside my fellow Soldiers who lived in the barracks. I remember like it was yesterday. President George W. Bush came on the TV while we all sat in the recreational room (“Rec Room”). My whole company was watching in excitement.
In what, historically, would later be known as “The Surge”, a renewed commitment to root out the terrorists by taking the fight to the enemy, the President came on and, in effect, told the world that he was sending us to war. The Rec Room erupted in celebration. Now the real test would put all our skills, training, discipline and leadership through the crucible of war. We had been preparing for over the past eighteen months. Now it was “GO” time.
We were immediately inserted into Baghdad, Iraq, the capital of the country for the first leg of the tour on a small base named Forward Operating Base (“FOB”) Falcon. My team was part of an advanced element and we were inserted via Black Hawk helicopter in the pitch black of night. Our commander greeted us as we disembarked the chopper. He said, “Welcome to Baghdad, gentleman.” Literally within ten seconds after meeting our commander, we started taking incoming fire. Mortar rounds exploded “danger-close” to us and our own artillery team immediately commenced shooting their counter battery fire back. Literally within the first minute of landing in Baghdad, I was under attack. I remember thinking “What a great start.”
Everything about our time in Baghdad was pretty insane, to say the least. Small arms fire bouncing off our Stryker vehicles daily while we tried our best not to run over Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and taking ‘danger close’ sniper shots was a daily occurrence. Back on the base, we were getting mortared and rocketed on an almost daily basis at the peak of our operational tempo (OPTEMPO). Soldiers were dying in the Porta-Potties or just walking to or from the chow hall.
Nowhere was safe.
Less than 30 days into the tour, one of my closest friends was in his vehicle doing a mission and hit a deeply buried IED that blew off the back half of the Stryker. The blast was so big it blew a ten foot deep hole in the asphalt and both of his legs. The aviation conditions were “Black”, meaning that it was too dangerous to evacuate with a chopper. We had to attempt to drive him to the Green Zone in downtown Baghdad, which was twelve kilometers away. This also came with its extreme set of dangers, as the roads had not already been “cleared” from the three of IEDs. I followed immediately behind the evacuation team on the ground with our command team. We were literally running over anything we needed to to get there as fast as we could; sometimes driving on the wrong side of the road or busting through an Iraqi checkpoint, with our guns out to ensure they wouldn’t make the foolish mistake of trying to stop us from saving my buddy’s life. While the Medical Evac (MEDEVAC) team brought him inside the wire, we waited outside the hospital for news. After an hour of waiting outside the green zone hospital we got the news: My friend did not survive. We lost him.
Back at the base, we all gathered for a quick memorial service. The sky became dark like something out of a movie and, slowly, it started to rain. A couple hundred men stood in total silence as our Chaplain, (a military priest) said a few words. Feelings of anger, defeat, sadness, rage, and melancholy were all swirling around in everyone’s heads. The tears of sadness and rage. After the chaplain finished, our First Sergeant (the senior enlisted man of the company, basically the foreman or line supervisor) came out and looked at all of us, eye to eye. He said, in a calm and assertive voice, low enough to be respectful, but loud enough that we all heard him as if he was speaking directly to each one of us, “Men… there is a time to mourn, and that day is not today”. As messed up as that was, he was absolutely right and it was what we needed to hear at that moment.
It steeled our mindset for what was to come.
During our 15 month tour, my company lost 16 of our guys in total, and many others were sent home with catastrophic, permanent injuries. Some of them seemed so random, you couldn’t really predict it. One guy burned alive and another one drowned. A group of three of my brothers had a suicide bomber run up onto a porch where they were and detonated a bomb, while another friend of mine, took a sniper shot to the head, killing him instantly.
For those fifteen months, none of us knew if it was our day to die. Every time we went outside that gate, it was like playing Russian Roulette.The 23rd Infantry battalion were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as a means to slow down and stop the violence and terrorism in the heart of Baghdad and surrounding areas. Our battalion conducted hundreds of combat missions, community presence patrols and raids on high-value targets with the support of Green Berets (ODA) and members of the British Special Air Service. (SAS)
Over the course of a 15 month deployment we were able to kill or capture over 500 Al-Qaeda terrorists along with members of other forces attached to the overthrowing of the new Iraqi government.
Upon returning from Iraq, I was recruited by the Commander of Fort Lewis (near Seattle) to join the “All Army Combatives” team, which led to our team’s 2nd place finish at the 2008 All Army Tournament. I was also a Combatives Instructor that taught thousands of Soldiers hand-to-hand combat techniques before deploying to war zones.
So the first big risk I took was one that placed my life on the line. It was the hardest and most extraordinary time of my life. I lost friends then and have lost others to suicide since. It set me on the path I now find myself on, trying to heal old wounds and provide a light in the darkness for others to follow.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights. Before we get to all of that, can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
After completing my service in the Army in 2009, I started on my transformative journey that led me from military life to the bustling city of Los Angeles. With minimal financial resources and no immediate place to call home, I faced the challenges head-on. Determined to pursue my passion for visual storytelling, I seized the opportunity to enroll at the Art Institute of Orange County, leveraging my Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to study digital photography.
As I immersed myself in my coursework, I quickly distinguished myself among my peers, demonstrating a real aptitude for the art form. This marked the beginning of my dynamic career in photography and directing. The trajectory of my professional journey provided me the chance to collaborate with some of the most influential figures and renowned brands on a global scale.I have worked closely with people like Justin Bieber, Mark Cuban, Kevin Hart, Kim Kardashian, and even the former President of the United States. These experiences not only honed my skills but also solidified my position within the industry, contributing to a portfolio that reflects the essence of my creative vision and dedication to the craft.
As my career became increasingly demanding and complex, juggling the pressures of my professional life, the challenges of maintaining my well-being, shouldering the burdens of work responsibilities and financial obligations in Los Angeles, and navigating the complexities of my love life, I began to experience the profound effects of my post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from my experiences in war. On top of all that I received calls almost back-to-back that both of my closest friends from the Army died from drug overdoses.
Just like dominoes, one person after another was either overdosing or taking their own lives in some way from our unit. Naturally my work started gravitating towards telling stories for Veterans and the people, non-profits, businesses that were supporting them. A time bomb had been dropped on our veteran community and we needed help fast. The VA was not equipped to handle or deal with the influx of veterans with many serious issues stemming from our time overseas. Exposure to atrocities, chemical, biological, sand, heat, shit, even that water they made us drink was trying to kill us.
In response, Tarun Raj, Benji Tucker, and I came together to partner and we founded FWD Future—a creative agency and production company committed to collaborating with social impact brands and individuals. Simultaneously, we worked on the development of our long-term tech projects behind the scenes.. We spent all our extra time researching and experiencing all the alternative therapies we could. From reiki and meditation to equestrian Therapy, Psychedelics and everything in between. This venture and last decade of our lives served as the foundation for our team, paving the way for what has ultimately become our most important project to date. Opening the Reality Center and our tech company Reality MGMT Technologies.
During COVID, while everyone was trapped in their homes with not much to do besides wait thinking the world was going to end, many influential people took to social media to talk about everything from addiction to PTSD. Throwing mental health into the national spotlight and at the forefront of everyone’s minds. That’s when we knew it was the best timing and the best chance to launch our wellness center powered by our own technology.
At the intersection of innovation and well-being, we began trailblazing a new path, sculpting better solutions in the mental health landscape. We are the visionaries behind the birth & evolution of digital psychedelics. We call it “Innertainment”.
We opened the Reality Center in January of 2022. Reality Center is a state of the art sensory wellness center and digital psychedelic lab based in Santa Monica, California. By combining ancient philosophies and modern science, we are able to address a wide array of mental, physical and emotional issues in a truly one of a kind experience. Our Sensory Wellness Therapy uses frequency technologies to stimulate the nervous system’s natural healing mechanisms. This process scientifically synchronizes your senses through light, sound and vibration to induce deep states of relaxation and inspiration, while simultaneously providing a neurological reset. When the body enters this harmonic state, it is known as Sensory Resonance. This enhances meditation, increases performance, shortens rehabilitation, stimulates health and improves the attitude of any user.
Our transformational products and services are all based on a theory called Sensory Resonance which Co-founder Don Estes first published in 1990. This theory posits that for every outer sensory mechanism there is an inner one. We use our inner senses when we are sleeping, dreaming, meditating, contemplating or performing other activities that attempt to integrate our bodies, minds and spirits. This “expanded” state creates brain hemisphere synchronization and rapidly resets the nervous system.We know that when someone experiences trauma, their nervous system becomes unregulated, which causes lack of sleep, anxiety, hyper-arousal/hyper-vigilance, depression, and more. Our treatment accessibility will limit prolonged exposure to these known triggers. We offer a safe, effective, and drug-free experience, alternative.
At our wellness center, we welcome individuals from across the globe who entrust us to support them on their journey towards enhanced mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. Our dedicated team is committed to providing personalized and holistic care, addressing a wide spectrum of issues. Whether it’s cultivating mental resilience, nurturing spiritual growth, or fostering physical vitality, our approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. We take pride in being a destination where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to embark on a transformative experience, promoting overall wellness. Teaching people how to use all the trauma they been through to their advantage
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
Tarun and Pranab Raj are some of the first people I met after leaving the Army and moving to Los Angeles in 2009. They were throwing massive warehouse parties and flying in major DJ’s from all over the world before EDM was even a phrase. My cousin just so happened to be one of those DJ’s in their crew, so I really lucked out in that I was able to jump right in their flow of all the cool things they had going on, helping me to transition into private sector life.
I met Benji Tucker in 2013 through Tarun while they were developing several tech start-ups. I was slowly exiting my first start up, “The Model Experience,” and was a freelance photographer and director at that time. I was working with some real influencers and business was growing, so I knew that I needed help. Shortly thereafter, the three of us partnered on a creative agency and production company FWD FUTURE. Then, we have developed multiple companies together ever since.
Eventually, we met Don Estes in 2016 when our team was brokering a tech deal for him for some of his technology. Finally, in 2022, we all partnered to create the “Reality Center” and “Reality MGMT Technologies.”
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Pre-Covid, we were still running FWD FUTURE. As soon as the world shut down, so did all of our jobs for the next six months, and that evolved into almost three years.
Tarun, my partner, brought me over a 3M mask and said “you’re going to need this.”
I took a photo and posted it to Instagram. Next thing I know, my phone was blowing up with people begging to buy that mask from me. I called Tarun and said we have a huge opportunity here.
Over the next two years, we became one of the more trusted brokers and suppliers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on the West Coast. Our team collectively did tens of millions of dollars in sales. We were able to donate millions of dollars worth of PPE to organizations, from Hospitals to low income communities that did not have any access at all. So we got to accomplish some pretty amazing things in very uncertain times and help a lot of people to survive in an unstable world.
We used that momentum to start the Reality Center.
What sets you apart from others?
Part of the appeal of Reality Center, and what sets us apart from others, is that it feels like a fun and interactive experience, but, behind the scenes, it is an advanced neuroscience and biofeedback treatment facility. Our proprietary frequency technologies activate the same parts of the brain which get stimulated by deep meditation and psychedelic therapies. Combined with positive talk therapy and guided mindfulness, the result is each client leaving with a renewed sense of purpose, feelings of interconnectedness, and elevated well-being.
Our philosophies and entire approach to mental health and wellness. A lot of modern mental health tries to identify something that is wrong with you and fix it. A Reality Center we do things a little bit different we help identify what is right about you and help you amplify it. When you amplify the things that bring you happiness, peace, security, inspiration, and love, it just drowns out all the things we are trained to worry about as human beings. So amplifying what is right with a person, instead of treating what’s wrong.
What are the things you are most proud of?
From a business perspective, I am proud that we have been accepted and validated by the medical / mental health and psychedelic professional community. That was really important to me as we forged this new path with technology that not a lot of people have had an opportunity to experience until we built Reality Center. We recently added the former Director of the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health as our Chief Medical Advisor.
Being able to continue to give back to my veteran brothers, sisters and their families. Over 500 veterans and their families have come through the center, completely free of charge. We’ve brought a lot of awareness and created a ton of impact which we are very proud of. It’s cool to make money from your passion, but it’s even cooler to change someone’s life. That’s my goal when I wake up every day. And that’s what we do at Reality Center. We are in the life changing business.
Finally, six years ago, I met the love of my life. She has been the answer to so many prayers. She accepts me, despite all my inner wounds and all the chaotic madness that comes with being an entrepreneur and reintegrating veteran. She gave me my daughter and brought her son into my life and that has enabled me to cultivate a closer relationship with my son I had as a teen back in Cincinnati. I feel eternally blessed to have a family that loves me for who I am and how I am. We are getting married this Spring and I couldn’t be happier.
Contact Info:
- Website: realitymgmt.com
- Instagram: @jonathanchia00 @realitycenter
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Chia/100003527257051/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanchia00
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@realitycenter1
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/reality-center-santa-monica
Image Credits
Jonathan Chia Enoch Kim