Ketamine Therapy: A Journey Beyond Control - A Conversation with Adriana Ballard

In the high-stakes world of institutional investing, control is everything—until it isn't.

Adriana Ballard, Director of Investments and AVP at a prominent foundation, is no stranger to navigating financial landscapes with precision. But when it came to personal healing, she found herself in uncharted territory—ketamine therapy.

Adriana’s experience with ketamine was not born out of curiosity but necessity. After a difficult divorce and her daughter's struggle with addiction, she sought a path to healing that extended beyond traditional methods. Enter ketamine therapy—a treatment gaining traction for its effects on PTSD, depression, and addiction recovery.

“I’m a control freak,” she admitted with a laugh. “So the idea of dissociating my mind from my body was terrifying. But I knew I had to let go.”

Her first experience took place in a controlled retreat setting, accompanied by chanting monks, meditation, and medical supervision. It was an intentional choice—one designed to create a space for surrendering to the unknown.

“At first, I panicked,” she shared. “I kept thinking, ‘Where is my body?’ But then I reminded myself: Just let go.” And when she finally did, the experience transformed into something beautiful. Colors, sensations, and a profound sense of calm washed over her. “It was as if my mind had been lifted into a new dimension. It helped me realize I needed to prioritize my mental and physical health.”

But ketamine therapy isn’t for everyone—especially not for those unwilling to relinquish control. “I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone in our industry unless they are truly ready to let go. But if you’re open-minded and seeking healing, it can be a powerful tool.”

For Adriana, the biggest takeaway was perspective. “It shifted my focus. Instead of being consumed by the small stresses, I now care more about the bigger picture—what really matters.”

In an industry driven by performance optimization, longevity, and high-pressure decision-making, the conversation around alternative mental health solutions is growing. Could ketamine therapy be an untapped resource for high-performing professionals?

“The irony is that the people who need it most—those of us who thrive on control—are the ones most resistant to it.” But for those who take the plunge, the rewards might be unexpected: a sense of clarity, calm, and an ability to navigate life’s challenges with a renewed perspective.

As institutional investors continue to explore ways to sustain peak performance, maybe the answer isn’t just in the next market shift, but in the ability to reset the mind. And sometimes, that means letting go. But could there be a paradox at play?

After all, isn’t it discomfort that sharpens our instincts? If we didn’t feel pain, we might leave our hand on a burning flame. If investors never experienced loss, would they have the discipline to avoid reckless risks? The very struggles we seek to ease—stress, anxiety, and the pressure to perform—might also be the forces that keep us sharp, focused, and competitive.

So where is the balance? Is the key to optimal performance learning when to lean into discomfort and when to step back?

Hearing Adriana speak so vulnerably about her experience made me reflect on the ways we, especially high performers, often avoid surrender. We cling to control as if it’s the only thing holding us together—when sometimes, it’s the very thing standing in the way of healing.

I walked away from our conversation not just intrigued by ketamine therapy, but moved by the courage it takes to step into discomfort, not to escape—but to grow. Maybe that’s the balance we’re all searching for—not control or chaos, but the wisdom to know when to hold on and sometimes…when to let go.

So what about you? What keeps you grounded—or gets you unstuck—when life feels overwhelming? Have you tried anything unconventional that shifted your mindset? I’d love to hear your story, too.