I’m Erik Hiltunen
I’m a living, breathing example of how to rebuild a life you’re excited about
About erik
Massage Therapist and psychedelic preparation and integration coach
Through my own journey with the tools of massage therapy and psychedelics I rebuilt my life from the ground up, leaving no stone unturned.
On my path to healing, I discovered that the gift of these skills is something I want to share with others.
I aspire to share these gifts with anyone who desires to reclaim their wholeness, and awaken their inner healer for a transformation from the outside in to the inside out.
Currently living in Boston, MA.
Currently serving Northwestern Boston and beyond
Purpose
Share in the joy, magic,
and wonder of life
while speaking, listening,
and standing for the greatness of others and all of humanity.
values
Love, play, growth, discovery,
exploration, creation, and healing.
promise
Honoring my word, approaching life with a sense of wonder, continual growth & development, meeting others where they are at, unexpected humor, gentle contribution, and standing for what’s possible.
Here’s how it unfolded for me
Early experience
My psychedelic experiences started in college without any formal education or guidance.
I quickly learned the value of “set,” “setting,” and “source.” I developed my own toolkit to help friends navigate the psychedelic space safely–and help guide friends “back” on rare occasions, when warranted.
I was a conduit of the work before I really understood what that meant. Nonetheless, these experiences had a tremendously powerful impact on my understanding and relationship to life itself, leading me to graduate with a double major in Biology & Religion.
An End & A Dream
Upon graduating, lots of things were going well - and the things that weren’t, I didn’t know how to deal with them, or have the courage to ask for help. Not long after college, 2 DUIs led to major upheaval in my life.
In the aftermath of my 2nd DUI, the medicines came to me in a dream with the message: “There is nothing more we can teach you now... However, we will return in another lifetime.”
I was 23-years-old.
constructing a new life
I began rebuilding my life.
I found community in the halls of AA and as a barista, and also in other communities committed to personal growth and transformation.
I dealt with the issues I was avoiding, made amends, and deepened my spiritual connection yet again.
Over the next few years, I created an amazing life. I became a high school biology teacher, married a gorgeous & loving physician, had a son, built our family dream home, and traveled around the world (including the Ultimate Field Trip: 14 high-school students to Australia for 18-days!).
struggles, darkness & life’s unexpected curveballs
Life never really goes as expected. There was stress and anxiety seeping into life and into our marriage.
We dealt with miscarriage and IVF, the stress of teaching and raising a family. My wife was severely injured in an accident and it took time for her to heal and recover. During this time we also built a new house and moved.
And eventually life... fell apart again.
I burned out from my job as a teacher and took an unplanned leave of absence. (I learned several years later how undiagnosed ADHD contributed). The burnout led to a deep, multi-year depression, which included a hospitalization and led to the slow demise of our marriage.
At the end it became clear how toxic our marriage had become, and after 15 years, we chose to separate. This period was the darkest of my life.
And then a friend called.
A lifeline
I was in my new apartment for a week, alone for the first time in years, and this friend reached out.
As we spoke, she revealed she was in training in spiritual healing with plant medicine– and offered to work with me in developing my connection to Spirit and my heart.
What followed were weekly calls that involved conversation, prayer, and guided meditation. This culminated with a plant medicine based heart opening ceremony a few months later.
Lightness
In the ceremony, the blame, anger, and resentment evaporated. I forgave my ex-wife for the past, and forgave myself for my contribution to the toxicity of our life together.
And then there was freedom- a new sense of lightness showed itself as I began navigating life without the burden I had been carrying.
The next path revealed
In this new space of freedom, new possibilities and opportunities presented themselves.
I made the powerful mental connection for myself that massage therapy has always given me both physical and mental relief and, after conversations with my massage therapist, chose to enroll in massage therapy school.
Around this same time I started exploring and learning about the latest breakthroughs scientific and medical research was revealing with psychedelics. It did not take long before I discovered the Psychedelic Coaching Institute. I leapt at this opportunity
All at once, it seemed like things were making more sense, following the call felt second-nature.
And I also recognized something else: I was 46 years-old, 23 years — another lifetime— had passed since the dream, and the medicines had returned, as promised..
On the court
Through the psychedelic coaching program I discovered the medicines of connection and release.
These tools have helped me through the most painful year of my life-- allowing me to experience and release the pain in the moment, leading to a remarkable experience of freedom and wholeness on the other side.
There has been almost no suffering, rather, more joy and more freedom.
With my background in psychedelics, biology, education, and massage, I have cultivated a unique set of skills to help others along their healing journey and awaken their own inner healer.
My own path led me to this exact place, and I can’t wait to help you along your path as you embark on your journey.
Integrative Massage and psychedelic preparation and integration sessions
connect back to your wholeness.
Education & Certifications
B.S. Biology & B.A. Religious Studies, Eckerd College
M.A.T. Secondary Science Education (Biology) - Boston University
Massage Therapy Certification - Spa Tech Institute, North Andover, MA
Psychedelic Coaching Certification - Psychedelic Coaching Institute / The Third Wave
