Daniel's Story - From the NHL to Healing
Daniel Carcillo’s journey to founding Experience Onward began far from the ice of the National Hockey League. A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Daniel spent decades at the top of professional hockey. But behind the victories, he was suffering.
Throughout his career, Daniel sustained seven diagnosed concussions and countless sub-concussive hits. The physical and mental toll was devastating: chronic headaches, dizziness, mood swings, memory loss, anxiety, and depression. As the years went on, he struggled with emotional instability, substance misuse, and suicidal thoughts.
The decline became so severe that Daniel was forced to retire early at the age of 30 after being diagnosed with early onset dementia. After spending $500,000 and 4 years in the healthcare system doing medically approved treatments, doctors told him he’d have get use to living “a new normal” with the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome and neurodegenerative disease.
Discovering Psilocybin
In 2019, desperate for change, Daniel turned to psilocybin mushrooms. Under guidance, he experienced his first psilocybin journey — and it changed everything. For the first time in years, his symptoms began to subside. His headaches lessened. His mood stabilized. His clarity and sense of purpose returned.
The transformation was not only felt, it was measured. Follow-up brain scans showed significant improvement in his neurological health, validating the personal recovery he experienced and proving that psilocybin could support real, science-backed change.
Building Experience Onward
Daniel founded Experience Onward with the vision of creating what he wished had existed when he was struggling:
- A community where people could access psilocybin legally and safely.
- A community led by physicians and trauma-informed facilitators.
- A connection to licensed retreat centers and facilitators that provide regulated medicine services through the Colorado Natural Medicine Code.
Experience Onward is developing Onward Ranch as a destination for wellness, education and, subject to applicable regulatory approvals, regulated natural medicine services.
Why Choose Experience Onward
Daniel Carcillo founded Experience Onward following his own personal journey with psilocybin and his search for new approaches to health and well-being after years of challenges related to his professional hockey career. His experience inspired a mission to help others explore natural medicine through education, responsible support, and legally regulated services where available.
Experience Onward is committed to safety, science, and a whole-person approach to wellness. Our programs bring together preparation, integration, holistic wellness practices, and access to appropriately licensed professionals. Where regulated natural medicine services are offered, they are provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws and through the appropriate licensed facilities and facilitators.
Experience Onward serves adults from a wide range of backgrounds, including athletes, veterans, first responders, executives, and others interested in exploring natural medicine and personal well-being. Our mission is to help bridge emerging research, responsible natural medicine practices, and deeply human experiences while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, transparency, and regulatory compliance.
Daniel’s experience is personal and should not be interpreted as evidence that psilocybin treats, cures, or prevents any medical condition. Research into psilocybin and its potential therapeutic applications is ongoing.