Ambassadors

Rory Lamont was a professional international Rugby Union player who played for Glasgow Warriors, Sale Sharks, Toulon and Scotland. While representing Scotland in the 2012 Six Nations tournament he suffered a career-ending leg break. The injury was followed by a debilitating health crisis that derailed his life and vitality and lead Rory to seek alternative healing protocols when mainstream medicine failed to assist.

In 2014, motivated by the collapse of his physical and mental health, Rory travelled to Central and South America where he experienced the transformational healing power of the plant medicines Iboga and Ayahuasca which lead to an epochal shift in his self-awareness. With a new blueprint for navigating the challenges in his life, Rory experienced a rapid improvement in his wellbeing.

Over the last few years, Rory has dedicated his life to expanding his knowledge on natural healing which he now utilises to assist others on their own journey to health regeneration at his retreat centre CAIM in Highland Perthshire. He considers psychedelic plant medicines to be one of the most powerful healing modalities available for resolving the current health crisis the world is facing

Chris Barnes was born into a military family, spending his early years moving between garrisons and countries. That upbringing shaped a 15-year career in the Regular Army and Reserves, including deployments to Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012 in a counter-IED role; deployments which deeply impacted his mental health. After leaving the Army in 2018, Chris faced a difficult civilian transition, experiencing homelessness and addiction. Supporting family members and friends with PTSD further deepened his understanding of trauma.

In April 2024, during a retreat in Tarapoto, Chris had a breakthrough using ayahuasca, helping him reconnect with his identity and begin lasting recovery. Today, Chris is an advocate for Heroic Hearts UK, helping veterans access alternative healing. He’s contributed to national workstreams on substance use and trauma-informed care, and is currently researching veterans’ perspectives on both standard and emerging treatment options—exploring how service design and lived experience shape engagement and recovery. As a Health Psychologist in Training and Stigma Researcher at Liverpool John Moores University, Chris blends lived experience with academic insight to build inclusive health systems.

Chris is also committed to supporting the development of psychedelics as a legitimate treatment option for veterans and others dealing with trauma. Through ongoing research and advocacy, he aims to contribute to a more open, evidence-based conversation around alternative therapies and their role in mental health care.