Meet Dr. Chase Skylar DeMayo

We recently connected with Dr. Chase Skylar DeMayo and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Chase Skylar, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Thank you for reaching out and giving me the chance to share my story. I’m Dr. Chase Skylar DeMayo, a U.S. Air Force veteran, holistic counselor, and someone who’s been through the wringer but come out chasing the light on the other side. Life’s thrown some heavy stuff my way, from enlisting after 9/11 to pushing my body to its limits in training, but I’ve learned that even in the darkest moments, there’s a spark of purpose waiting to be ignited. It’s all about finding that personal light despite the challenges, turning pain into something that lifts others up.
Honestly, I found my purpose in the most unexpected way: through a near-death experience back on April 1, 2008. I suffered an air embolism, air traveled through my IV to stop my heart while I was serving in the Air Force. I flatlined for several minutes, and in that time, I floated above my body, saw angels, and met Jesus. It was profound. He sent me back with a clear message: to spread laughter, light, love, and joy to the world. Before that, I was just a guy serving his country, dealing with the stresses of military life and the aftermath of tragedy. But that experience flipped everything. I retired medically from the Air Force, dove into holistic healing, earned my degrees in alternative medicine and metaphysical sciences, and now I work to help others, while speaking at places like the IANDS conferences to help others bridge science and spirit. I also now serve on the board for the Camaraderie Foundation.
It’s not always easy. I’ve faced health struggles, doubt, and the weight of sharing such a personal story. But that’s where the real light comes in: embracing resilience, practicing happiness daily, and living by my ‘Chase the Light’ philosophy. Purpose isn’t some grand, distant thing; it’s showing up every day, even when life knocks you down, and choosing to spread joy. If my journey teaches anything, it’s that no matter the challenges, there’s always a way to find your light and help others find theirs too.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Professionally, I wear a few hats that all tie back to my passion for helping people chase their own light, especially when life gets tough. On the holistic side, as a Doctor of Holistic Counseling with additional degrees in Metaphysical Sciences and Alternaitve Medicine, I guide individuals through personal transformations, blending science, spirit, and resilience to help them overcome challenges and find inner peace. I also serve on the board at the Camaraderie Foundation, supporting veterans like myself in their healing journeys. What excites me most is sharing my near-death experience to empower others. After flatlining in 2008 and being sent back with a mission to spread laughter, light, love, and joy, I’ve made it my life’s work to show folks that even in the face of adversity, like military service or health battles, there’s always a spark within waiting to shine. That’s the heart of my ‘Chase the Light’ brand. It’s not just a phrase. It’s a daily practice of turning pain into purpose, embracing happiness, and lifting others up. I love speaking at events and podcasts to bridge the gap between science and spirituality, proving that profound healing is possible for anyone willing to look inward. As for what’s new, I’m thrilled to share that I recently spoke at the IANDS 2025 International Conference, where I dove into my NDE story to help bridge science and spirit for attendees seeking hope and transformation. It was an incredible event this year, and I’m already gearing up to connect with more people on this journey. If your readers are interested in holistic wellness or veteran support, I’d encourage them to reach out on social media. I’m all about building those connections.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

It really takes me back through the highs and lows of my path. Looking back on my journey, from enlisting in the Air Force after 9/11 to surviving that air embolism in 2008 that led to my near-death experience, and now guiding others as a holistic counselor, I’d say three key qualities have been most impactful: resilience, effective communication, and spiritual awareness.
First, resilience has been my anchor. Life hit me hard with military stresses, health crises, and the profound shift after flatlining and meeting Jesus. But bouncing back, turning those challenges into fuel for growth, that’s what kept me moving forward and chasing the light even in dark times.
Second, communication skills, honed during my time as a public affairs journalist in the Air Force where I documented missions and shared stories of service members. Being able to articulate my NDE and its message of spreading laughter, light, love, and joy has allowed me to connect deeply with others, whether through speaking at conferences or Social Media.
Third, spiritual awareness, which exploded after my NDE. Gaining that metaphysical knowledge and blending it with science has empowered me to help veterans and others heal, bridging the seen and unseen worlds to find personal light amid life’s toughest battles. For folks early in their journey, my advice is straightforward and heartfelt. To build resilience, start small: face daily discomforts like exercise or tough conversations, and practice gratitude journaling to reframe setbacks as lessons. It turns pain into purpose over time. For communication, share your story vulnerably with trusted friends. Authenticity grows with practice. On spiritual awareness, pray, meditate daily, explore books on metaphysics or near-death experiences, and seek mentors in holistic fields. Remember, it’s about consistent steps, not perfection. Embrace the challenges

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

I’d prioritize deepening connections with my loved ones, creating more memories with family and friends through simple joys like shared meals, adventures in nature, and heartfelt conversations. Professionally, I’d amp up my work in holistic counseling and veteran support at the Camaraderie Foundation, guiding as many people as possible toward resilience and inner peace by blending science and spirit. I’d speak at more events, perhaps write a book on chasing the light to leave a lasting legacy, and collaborate on initiatives that uplift communities, especially those facing adversity.

Every day would be intentional: practicing gratitude, praying, meditating, and embracing happiness to model how to turn pain into purpose. No regrets, just maximum impact in helping others discover their spark. It’s a reminder that even with limited time, we can illuminate the world.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Ben Kandora.

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Where does your self-discipline come from?

One of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. We asked some

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
Working hard in 2025: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that