Mike Force Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode: From Prison Chains to Unchained Fit
Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Mike Glover
Guest: Anthony Autry (Unchained Fit founder)

Overview

This episode dives deep into the journey of Anthony Autry, who transformed his life from battling addiction and spending a decade in prison to becoming an influential fitness and mentorship coach with Unchained Fit. Anthony candidly shares how his struggles and losses, including his brother's murder and his own cycles of incarceration, ultimately gave him a sense of purpose, faith, and discipline—values he now passes on to the men he mentors. The discussion covers the realities of addiction, prison life, faith, fatherhood absence, and the power of disciplined community for true personal change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Life and Descent into Addiction

• Family Upheaval: Anthony grew up in a comfortable home in Pacific Palisades, but his parents’ divorce at age 7 marked a turning point.
• Seeking Belonging: Early use of drugs and alcohol to fit in; addiction took hold by age 10. Despite excelling in sports, bad decisions—often driven by a desire for belonging—sidelined his potential (02:03–08:00).
  • "It was always like a full, like a functioning addict. And I think that was the biggest problem." — Anthony (08:43)

2. Legal Troubles and Vicious Cycles

• False Accusations & Judicial System Hazards: Details first arrest (domestic violence charge he disputes). Experiences of LA County’s "deal-making" system, plea bargains, and realizing the long-term consequences of a felony record (08:43–14:13).

  • "From that point on, my life was ever changed. Made me a felon. I had no idea the ramifications." — Anthony (13:13)

• Addiction Escalates: Meth use at 30 escalates life’s decline; repeated cycles of arrests, jail, programs, and going on the run. (13:13–16:33)

3. Prison Experience: Trauma and Lessons

• Describes the brutal reality of LA County Jail and Supermax, the violence, “sheriff gangs,” solitary confinement, ad seg (administrative segregation), and “juke balls” (food rations) (14:14–15:55).

  • "County jail in LA County was way different than it is these days…but that's another story." — Anthony (13:13–15:55)

• Enduring Tragedy: Receives news of his brother’s murder by an employee while incarcerated—a devastating pivotal moment (16:33–17:54).

4. The Turning Point: Faith and Redemption

• Hits rock bottom after another arrest and finally breaks down emotionally at a jail church service (17:54–19:34).

  • "Holidays coming up…I just, I broke down. I was like, God…just talking to God and it wasn't audible, but I heard him: 'I have something better for you.'" — Anthony (19:14)

• Miraculously offered a rehab program by a judge, which he credits to his faith and prayers. Becomes a mentor in federal prison, transforming his habits through discipline, education, fitness, and leadership (20:59–22:48).

5. Reintegration & Building a New Life

• After release, Anthony quickly earns home confinement, rejoins society, and reconnects with influential people in the fitness and veteran communities (22:49–26:23).
• Marriage: Finds love through online dating, quick engagement, and a skydiving elopement—a symbol of his “unchained” new life.
  • "We jumped…I jumped in my cowboy boots, bro. Landed through all my resist all and set our vows on the ground." — Anthony (26:35)

6. Creating Unchained Fit and Community Impact

• Mentorship Model: Unchained Fit is more than fitness—it’s habit, discipline, faith, nutrition, community, and leadership, with custom approaches for vets, law enforcement, and men looking for purpose (28:00–36:00).

  • "It starts with us, it starts with ourself. Like we have to be what I call in proper alignment…For me, number one, it's my faith. I got to be dialed in with my faith. Number two, mentally, psychologically, three, the body." — Anthony (34:36)

• Noteworthy: Anthony is now helping LA County Sheriffs and first responders—people from the very system where he was once imprisoned (30:18–32:36).

  • "Talk about full circle, man. I've even got some LA County Sheriffs on the program." — Anthony (30:36)

7. Father Figures and Cycles

• The deep impact of absent or emotionally distant fathers—both share personal and observed consequences (35:07–39:05).
  • "Even with a father that was…present at all my sporting events…he was still present, but just wasn't in the home. And…I think that was a key factor." — Anthony (36:36)

8. Purpose, Anxiety, and Accountability

• Still faces anxiety and fear of reverting to old cycles but knows structure and service to others anchor his purpose (43:15–47:38).

  • "I've lost the whole buffer room…I go from normal to being in a complete state of anxiety in a split second. I think that is due to being locked up…being in a courtroom with a lot of time over your head…" — Anthony (43:57)

• Leading other men increases his sense of responsibility and healing (47:38–48:47).

9. How Unchained Fit Works

• Primarily online: nutrition plans, training programs, Zoom calls, video-messaging group for mutual support, plus in-person events (48:47–54:00).
• Community access is freely given, fitness/nutrition support is paid—skin in the game elevates commitment (53:18–54:00).

10. Addictive Personalities and Recovery

• Directs former addiction into positive “obsession” with fitness and purpose, helping men harness that intensity for growth rather than self-destruction (54:55–56:56).
  • "Addiction in the right place is just called success. Right?" — Mike Glover (56:56)

11. What’s Next for Anthony

• Book in the Works: Prompted by Jocko Willink, Anthony is working on a memoir to reach and help more men.
  • "You need to write your book. If you write your book, I know a publishing company." — Jocko Willink (58:35)
• Goal: Continue expanding Unchained Fit, pursue expungement, use his amplified story to break through to those in need (57:55–62:19).

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the turning point of faith:

  • "I just, I broke down…I heard him: 'I have something better for you.'…I was like, all right. You say you got something better. Let's go." — Anthony (19:14)

• On the power of accountability:

  • "I've noticed…if a kid doesn't earn something, if they're just given something, they're not going to…have the same value." — Anthony (53:59)

• On replacing addictions:

  • "We just trade. We trade bad habits for good habits." — Anthony (55:41)

• On finding purpose:

  • "I think the best part is, I’ve really found, like, my purpose. I know God has put me here to do what I'm doing." — Anthony (33:00)

• On second chances & leadership:

  • "Your story is every man's story, just amplified. Right? And you need amplification to break through the noise…there's only few people in the world, men-wise, that other men will listen to." — Mike Glover (60:45)

• On the impact of advocacy:

  • "I'm just on the gas, bro. I'm really like, just getting warmed up, man. Like, I’m just getting started, you know?" — Anthony (62:19)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Early Life and Descent: 02:03–08:00
• First Arrest & Lessons from System: 08:43–13:13
• Supermax & Jail Life: 14:14–15:55
• Brother’s Death & Emotional Collapse: 16:33–19:34
• Spiritual Turnaround: 19:34–22:48
• Reintegration & Jocko Meeting: 22:48–27:00
• Building Unchained Fit: 28:00–36:00
• Discussion on Fathers: 35:07–39:05
• Anxiety & Accountability: 43:15–48:47
• Explaining Unchained Fit Program: 48:47–54:00
• Redirecting Addiction: 54:55–56:56
• What’s Next — Book & More: 57:55–62:19

Tone and Takeaway

Authentic, candid, and purpose-driven, this episode’s tone reflects both the gravity of Anthony’s struggles and the hope found in redemption and service. Listeners walk away with a real sense of the power of disciplined community, faith, and the importance of second chances—for themselves or those they care about.

"There’s no glory in a man who never fell…if somebody can take that." — Anthony (60:19)

For more or to connect with Anthony:

• [Links shared in episode notes by Mike Glover]