Derek Du Chesne and Dr. Zaid Fadul from Better U were interviewed by Roy Kessel of the Sports Philanthropy Network at Super Bowl 59’s Radio Row in New Orleans. They discussed their work in mental health, highlighting the importance of holistic care, including therapy, psychiatry, and alternative treatments like ketamine therapy for depression and traumatic brain injuries. They also emphasized the need to make mental health care more accessible and to address the stigma surrounding it.
Derek Du Chesne
As the CEO and founder of Better U, Derek Du Chesne helps transform lives with psychedelic therapy. After a life-saving ketamine therapy treatment in 2019, where he overcame his suicidal thoughts and depression, Derek collaborated with leaders from Stanford’s Psychedelic Science Center and Depression Research Clinic to enhance psychedelic medicine treatments and accessibility. After discovering how psychedelics can treat a multitude of mental health struggles, making psychedelic medicine more accessible became his mission. In 2021, Derek partnered with leaders in psychiatric and psychedelic medicine from Harvard and Johns Hopkins University, to create Better U.
Derek Du Chesne was a leader in the cannabis sector, responsible for the sale of over $100MM in cannabis-derived products from 2018-2020. Derek has served as the Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Growth Officer for leading brands and has a proven track record in the development and execution of marketing strategies, building commercialization infrastructure, increasing revenue, and overseeing growth, launches, CapEx, and assisting with product development. Thriving in emerging industries, Derek is committed to enhancing mental health care for all. Earlier in his career, Derek was an Actor, Producer, and Stunt Performer. Derek has played opposite Michael C. Hall and Julia Stiles (Dexter), Esai Morales & Raymond Cruz (Los Americans), Bruce Willis (Mauraders), and Robert DeNiro (Heist). He is also an animal welfare advocate and an active volunteer with Animal Tracks, a nonprofit that rescues exotic animals.
Zaid Fadul, MD, FS, FAAFP
As a physician licensed in all 50 states, I bring a unique blend of expertise spanning Family Medicine, Occupational Health, Aerospace and Addiction Medicine. My experiences as a Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director have honed my skills in building and managing healthcare delivery systems, with a particular focus on telehealth and digital healthcare integration. My multifaceted background allows me to approach healthcare challenges from various angles, driving innovation in both traditional and cutting-edge medical practices. I’m passionate about leveraging technology to improve patient outcomes and advance healthcare delivery, always seeking new connections and collaborations in this ever-evolving field.
BETTER U
Better U is an alternative mental health organization dedicated to increasing access and awareness to breakthrough treatments. We connect people to licensed mental health professionals for clinician-prescribed psychedelic therapies and education for those wanting to experience an alternative to traditional medications. Our program supports individuals looking to improve their mental health and achieve long-term success. Our mission is to transform mental health and reform psychiatry from the diagnose and treat illness model to a thought expansion, neurological reset and spiritual health model by addressing the core causes of depression and anxiety. Using telepsychedelic therapy, functional neurology, and other alternative mental health modalities, we provide the tools to enhance our greatest human quality, self-healing
Watch the Interview Here
– (00:01) – Introduction: Roy Kessel welcomes guests Derek Du Chesne and Dr. Zaid Fadul from Better U at Super Bowl 59’s Radio Row and introduces their participation in Lee Steinberg’s Brain Health Summit.
– (00:26) – Better U’s Mission: Du Chesne introduces Better U, explaining its focus on mental health, performance psychiatry, therapy, and holistic wellness.
– (00:55) – Mental Health in Sports: Discussion on the growing awareness of mental health issues across all levels of sports, from youth to professional athletes, as well as in other high-stress professions.
– (01:30) – Du Chesne’s Personal Journey: He shares his experience with mental health struggles, how traditional psychiatric treatment left him feeling isolated, and how alternative therapy helped him recover and inspired him to start Better U.
– (02:32) – Making Mental Health Care Accessible: Better U has reduced therapy session costs from $1,500 to $99, ensuring more people can access care, including psychiatric support, talk therapy, and holistic treatments.
– (03:59) – Commitment to Mental Health Support: Du Chesne emphasizes the importance of treating every patient with care and urgency, recognizing that each call for help could be a person’s last attempt to seek support.
– (04:51) – Dr. Fadul’s Personal Connection: He shares his own experience with PTSD and loss, how he recognized mental health struggles in the military, and his decision to join Better U to create impactful change.
– (06:19) – Holistic Mental Health Approach: The discussion highlights the interconnectedness of mental health with physical health, including sleep, diet, exercise, and overall well-being.
– (07:42) – Addressing the Stigma of Invisible Injuries: The guests compare mental health struggles to visible physical injuries, stressing the need for greater understanding and support.
– (09:39) – Future of Better U: Plans for expanding services to more states, partnering with organizations like the NFL Alumni Association, and integrating new treatments like peptide therapy to improve mental health care.
