EP12 - Anna Symonds: Finding Beauty in Life After Your World is Torn Apart

Anna Symonds, a national champion rugby player, has been face-to-face with intense grief, loss, trauma and evil. Fifteen years ago, her life was torn apart when a good friend and team member was brutally murdered. Anna’s journey since that day has been one of navigating the challenges of healing and forgiveness, finding her way through the pain of a divorce, and, with the help of plant medicine, discovering beauty in the world again. Now the Executive Director of the Etheridge Foundation, which helps fund research on plant medicine treatments for opioid use disorder, Anna’s story is bound to move you. And her resilience and insights are bound to inspire you. (This plant medicine content herein is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)   Anna's Links: Etheridge Foundation website | Etheridge Foundation Instagram | Anna's Instagram   Scott's Links: Instagram | Tiktok | FaceBook | website   MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”    Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:02 The Etheridge Foundation's Mission 06:07 Research and Advocacy in Plant Medicine 09:56 Diverse Approaches to Opioid Use Disorder 12:00 Personal Healing Journeys with Plant Medicine 20:07 Grief, Loss, and the Impact of Trauma 29:54 The Nature of Forgiveness 34:27 Exploring Loss and Impermanence 39:00 The Role of Psychedelics in Healing 46:19 Honoring Memories and Celebrating Life 51:28 The Impact of Loss on Life Choices