Shamanism & The Craft of Shapeshifting with Simon Van Der Els

How Horizontal Gene Transfer, Ancient Viruses, and Shamanic Practice Reveal the Porous, Shape-Shifting Truth of Your Body"

The idea of a singular, static 'Self' is a biological lie."

That’s not science fiction.

That’s microbiology.

Most people think their identity is a fixed, genetic blueprint. It’s not. You are a fluid, dynamic ecosystem—an ongoing negotiation between ancient bacteria, viral fragments, and a microbial cloud that extends far beyond your skin.

In this episode of the Boundless Body Podcast, Dr. Brian Tierney sits down with Simon van der Els—molecular microbiologist and shamanic practitioner—to shatter the myth of the isolated self.

They reveal how mobile genetic elements don’t just drive evolution; they are the biological blueprint for how culture, ideology, and personal identity can be decoded, disrupted, and renewed.

⚡ What You’ll Learn (And Unlearn)

✅ Why your genome isn’t a “consensus sequence” but a chaotic cloud of mobile elements

✅ The evolutionary orgy that created complex life—and why it’s still happening inside you

✅ How horizontal gene transfer destroys the concept of a static species

✅ Why an “initiatory illness” (existential depression) is often the price of entry into deeper knowing

✅ The connection between memeplexes, rigid ideology, and the scaffolding of your embryonic self

✅ Why “meta flexibility” is the only survival strategy for a disrupted biosphere

✅ How shamanic practice decodes cultural rigidity just as science decodes genetic rigidity

🧠 About Simon van der Els

PhD in Molecular Microbiology focusing on mobile genetic elements and horizontal gene transfer.

Long-term coaching practice integrating altered-state journeys and energetic interventions.

Facilitator of group journeys bridging scientific inquiry and shamanic decoding.

Active on LinkedIn, sharing insights at the intersection of microbiology and consciousness.

Golden Nugget 💛

Shape-shifting the biosphere: Why your inner work matters

"Identity is a temporary eddy in a genetic and memetic river. Shamanic practice is learning to swim."

📌 Resources

🔗 Connect with Guest Simon Van Der Els: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/simon-van-der-els-phd-66434b231

🔗 Connect with Host Dr. Brian Tierney: www.somaticdoctor.com

🎧 Subscribe to Boundless Body Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@BoundlessBodyPodcast

Listener discretion is invited, alongside an open, porous mind.🎧 Listen now if you’ve ever wondered:

“Is my sense of self just a fragile story holding back a much wilder truth?”

Spoiler: It is.

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