We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jesse Codere a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jesse, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

For this, I will share the personal statement that I recently wrote for my grad school application to SDSU.

I killed myself to get here. Literally. October 30th, 2021, I went down an existential rabbit hole that led me to a crisis and I decided to end it all. I swallowed multiple bottles of different psyche meds prescribed by the VA, and then I punctured my wrists with a kitchen knife. “Commit”. In that moment, I was just thinking to commit to it this time. My mom committed, and I had an attempt before, but this time was different, this time I had enough reasons to go through with it, this time I was really ready to go. But my girlfriend was there, and she called 911. The paramedics came and got me into the ambulance, then the last thing I remember was resisting their efforts to pump my stomach. I woke up in the ICU after having three operations, flat lining twice, and being in a coma on life support for six days. I was very manic. I now understand that I was undergoing the effects of a Near Death Experience. I had cosmic clarity and understanding that I had only felt on psilocybin before then. Everything made sense. “OF COURSE!”, I remember repeating over and over. I was connecting the dots from my traumatic childhood to that moment, and of course I had to go through all of that to arrive right then and there. Of course, because the universe doesn’t miss. Of course, because if not me, then who?
A lot of people speak about the paradigm of their life in terms of chapters in a book. I’ve heard many times that we’re continuously writing the story of our lives, and different things to that effect, but I think in regard to academia. Since my rebirth, I reflect on periods of my existence in the sense of college semesters. “What did I learn there?” “What was I supposed to learn, but didn’t?” I believe that every one of my life’s semesters were educating me with knowledge and wisdom to use my lived experience as a guidebook to help others get through their semesters. I came out of my coma with a deep desire to help others heal. I even called some of my friends from the hospital bed asking them to join me in starting a manifestation and healing academy. I wanted to save the world, I didn’t know how I was going to get this done but I was dedicated, and I still am, but now I have a plan.
I was sitting in a cell inside of South Bay Detention Facility when I finally started asking myself, “What’s wrong with us?” It was 2014, I had been out of the Navy for a couple years and already got two dui’s and several drunk in public arrests. This time I got drunk and was trying to steal alcohol from a Food 4 Less. Felony robbery, I was in trouble, and something needed to change. I was a different person when I was drunk, I would do things that I would never do sober, and I needed to understand why. I had my girlfriend send me books about how the mind works. The first book I read in jail was The Power of the Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy. That book taught me how to meditate and manifest, it also referenced other books that I later read, and those books mentioned the use of psychedelics. They described their experiences as healing agents and portals to deeper understandings of life’s mysteries. I always had a taboo bias against psychedelics, but these authors had me curious and I was desperate for a change, so I became open to the idea. After about four months I signed a horrible plea deal to get out of jail but now I was a little wiser and a bit more aware of myself. A couple years later I was having a casual conversation with a classmate at SDSU when he mentioned having magic mushrooms. The time had arrived. This was my opportunity to rewire my mind and to heal the broken parts of myself that I had been previously unaware of. I would never be the same again. Psilocybin experiences have improved my life and my mental health beyond measure. My goal is to provide psychedelic assisted therapy to underrepresented communities for free. My life’s curriculum has led me to this point, and I believe that I am aligned with my highest purpose to do the most good.
My lived experience, values, and dedication to service make me a great candidate for the CBB program. This is not just another certificate for me, this is my opportunity to make a difference in the world starting here in my home city. Words cannot explain my passion when it comes to healing trauma and mental health. I know what it’s like to suffer and I know what it’s like heal, multiple times over. I value the journey and I love the process. I have come very far, and I continue to do the work. Now I’m ready to help others alchemize their experiences to become their true divine selves. Thank you for considering my application and I look forward to joining the distinguished ranks of CBB change makers.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I found this path through my own healing journey. On the road to self-discovery, I heard the calling to shed light on other people’s paths as well. I believe that we all have healing to do in one way or another, and psychedelics can assist people in that feat. As I alluded to in my personal statement, I plan on becoming a psychedelic-assisted therapist and providing treatment to people at no out-of-pocket expense.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve been pivoting my whole life. This is the first time I’ve felt purpose in my mission and a calling to help others.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Remember the bigger picture. Remember that it’s not about money or material things. It’s about changing the world one person at a time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesse_rozay/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-codere-88807519/

Image Credits
jesse