← Mike Force Podcast
Loading summary
Transcript97 lines
- [00:00]
A
Foreign. Guys. Welcome back to the Mike Force podcast. I'm with Anthony from Unchained Fit. And there's a lot of resilience in kind of all the methodology and talkings that I do, because I think a story that defines you is the one where you fail. You get beat down, you get locked up, you get put in chains, and then you get back on your feet, rebuild your life and continue to move forward. And you can have microcosms of this. I mean, it could be a relationship drama, it could be you falling out from a profession, it could be failure in your everyday life. But getting back up on your own two feet is important to talk about. And I don't think there's a story of that resilience that could be better told than Anthony's story about his falling down, getting chained up, and then picking up the pieces and starting all over again. Here he is in the studio. Welcome, Anthony, to the podcast.
- [01:14]
B
Thank you, Mike. Yes, sir. It's an honor. Thank you.
- [01:17]
A
I'm glad to have you, man. I, I, when I was told about you from Tyler, our mutual friend, he runs Ops or Wolf 21, a CBD brand that I have, he had mentioned that he was so impacted by some of the things that you did, the things that you talked about, the fact that you've been locked, that you were locked up for nearly 10 years of your life and here you are in your 40s like me breaks my heart because I, I feel like I got a little taste of that, but you were completely immersed in that. Let's start from the beginning because obviously I want people to get to know you on the podcast. Who are you and where'd you come from? How did this start for you?
- [02:03]
B
Yes, sir. So, name is Anthony Autry. I'm from, grew up mostly in the Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles. So I was a good upper class, upper middle class upbringing, standard issue there. Family vacations, private schools. However, at seven years old on Christmas Eve, things changed. Parents came into the room, said they're getting a divorce. Next morning, dad was gone. So things were very different at that point. Started getting into a little bit of trouble at that point. Getting kicked out of the private schools addiction started at 10, so started smoking weed, drinking alcohol, wanting to be part of the cool kids, you know, I never really felt like I was part of that crowd. And so I was doing things that I wouldn't have normally done if I was just by myself. I wouldn't have been smoking and drinking, stuff like that. Managed to get Kicked out of the all the private schools, started going to public schools. Fifth grade, got a little bit of trouble. Sixth grade, got caught with marijuana in class in sixth grade and just the addiction progressed quickly. Went to pharmaceuticals, hallucinogenics and got into cocaine all within my early teenage years. Stayed away from the meth and heroin because there were some kids at that point and heroin was the big thing and some of the older siblings of my friends were overdosing and dying. So I stayed away from those. I just saw a lot of the real bad stuff that was happening with those two particular drugs. Played sports, played a lot of sports, did really well in sports. Baseball was city all stars. Football was looking like potentially having a scholarship. I ended up making the great decision my senior year not to play because I didn't want to play the position my coach wanted me to play in high school years. A lot of my friends going to public schools. So this was like mid, mid late 90s. And a lot of my friends were from inner city, mid city Los Angeles. And around that time the area that I was in was like the Rampart district. And so back then I think we all recall like the Rampart scandal. So those were really interesting times at that point. Guys that I grew up with were becoming from the neighborhood gangs and were putting in work for the neighborhood, you know, doing serious things. And so things got really serious at that point in time of course, and this was not for me, you know, I just made the decision to move out of California, went to Arizona for college for a little bit. Didn't get much schooling done. Just took my addiction with me. I just did the geographical change. I was there for a couple years. Went to Texas again for school, didn't go to school, but started working, managed a sales company, did really well, brought it to being the top running office in the nation and then came back to Southern California after about four and a half years. So I had missed my family. My brother, he was in San Diego, had started a construction company and went to go be back with my family things. Things were going well with the construction company. We were doing commercial and residential. We got up into, into Los Angeles. My father had started, he had owned a construction company back in the day. He got back into the field and was a super on some custom spec houses in Bel Air, Brentwood area. So we got into this investment developing and we're making really good money for some, you know, 20 year old kids. Again, our addiction, our drug habits, mostly cocaine. At that point in time we're just partying really hard, you know, spending a lot of money. San Diego, we would do like the Hard Rock intervention pool parties with the, you know, $20,000 bungalows over the weekend and just were blowing a lot of money, money I wish I still had today. But the drugs continued. So I was always like a full, like a functioning addict. And I think that was the biggest problem. My brother ended up having some heart problems, so he kind of backed off a little bit. And then at that point was the first time I got in trouble. At 20, 26 years old, I started dating a girl that I knew from high school and saw her and she was a good looking girl. She modeled for Bud Light and a bunch of stuff like that, which kind of made the. Gave me the excuse to kind of tolerate some things that I thought were. She was just not all there. She was in, you know, anyways, we. She had an alcohol, she had an alcohol problem. And well, one night wasn't the first time actually. And so there were red flags and I should have gotten out of this relationship, but I didn't. This one night she was drunk, attacked me, got out of the apartment. Police were there and arrested me. This was 2008. So right then, at that point in time in Los Angeles, there was a domestic call. The guy is going that shifts with standard issue. After everything that kind of happened with OJ For a long time it was just like, men are going, going, going in today. It's different now. It's like both parties go or nobody goes. So I went in. She knew what I. I didn't. When they were taking my pictures, my mug shot pictures, they saw I had some bruising on me, took off my shirt. I had like eight hematoma bite marks all over me. From her. She had no injury, no injuries. And talked to her a day or so later like, hey, this what's going on here? And she was like, no, I know, I'm sorry, I'll fix it. I'm like, okay. She comes into court at our arraignment like a week or two later with her mom. And her mom never liked me. And I knew something was up at that point. At that point she totally changed her story. Said I punched her numerous times. She's like, I don't know, 5 10, a buck 15, buck 20. Like if I punch you numerous times, there's going to be some kind of evidence that I punched you. Nonetheless, I was, I didn't bail out. I was in, I was in custody and I was fighting the. Then fighting a case. Had no experience really with the judicial system and didn't know how they operated, how they just basically it's let's make a deal and LA county courts have upper 90 percentile conviction rate. So fought the case for a few months, ended up bringing a private attorney. My public defender told me, hey, take it to trial. This is, you know, I know you're innocent. Nothing happened. However, they were hanging like three years over my head, which seemed like an eternity at that point in time. Brought in a private attorney, got all the way to jury selection selection, which would be the last time they offer you a deal. And that day when he came in, the couple prior court dates, I started having some action. Things were starting to go my way and was looking better. Jury selection day comes, he gets a murder trial call, can't show up, his substitute comes in. And I literally watched the D A take one folder off the table and put another one on on the table. And I was like, that's probably not good. And so it was basically my original deal that they stuck with, which was a felony. A year in county, 52 week anger management program, three years probation. And so it was either take that or go to prison, you know, or take it to trial and I could lose. And here was a kicker too is they told me in court, they said if you take this deal, you'll be out of here maybe two weeks or so. They're like today, tomorrow or two weeks. And I'm like, okay, so if I take this, I'm out of here in two weeks? And they're like, yes. I was like, okay, I take the deal. That was April 10th, May, my birthday comes up in late May. I call my attorney, I'm like, what's going on? He's like, oh, your Release date is August 3rd. And I'm like, how does that happen? Like I want to request the minute report. That's not what was stated in court. He said it happens. Tough luck. From that point on, my life was ever changed. Made me a felon. I had no idea the ramifications. I had known what it would cause, but didn't realize living it is a whole nother ball game. Got out, completed probation, was going to complete probation. I had a couple month extension due to restitution that needed to be paid that I was unaware of. So they just extended a couple months. At that point in time though, I did catch another case. My brother and I had bumped heads, gone our separate ways. I was lone wolfing it and was hanging out with a guy who was a neighbor and went over to another Guy's house in the neighborhood. These guys were smoking meth. And so at 30 years old I made the decision to smoke meth. And at that point everything really changed. I'd done cocaine for a long time and I was like, wow. I was like, this is just from this. I'm like, this is what I was chasing the whole time with. That didn't take long. Matter of months. My job, I was always showed up on time. I never missed a day of work. But my work was like, hey, you need to go to rehab, you have a problem. And I was like, well I haven't missed work, I'm not late. Like I guess I don't have a job. So there went the job. Eventually the apartment went. There was an incident where the police came knocking on the apartment door before I no longer had a place to live. And I was in my boxers, opened the door because I was on probation, had to comply. They chased me through the apartment. I end up Superman and off the patio and my boxers kind of tuck land is like about a six foot drop a good distance wide and up on my feet and I'm running down the street and just my boxers in broad daylight, barefooted, had my phone in my hand. I ended up getting away. But I found out at that point in time I was on posters in the car for LAPD's Pacific Division and it just was nuts. A couple days later I was in another foot pursuit that involved a helicopter. Got away again that time. Eventually they would catch me, but I'd get caught, go in, they'd offer me a program, get out to a program, screw that up and then I'd go on the run again. It was just this vicious cycle that continued for about six years. Within that time actually was a real tragic thing happened was doing time in LA County Jail during this time. I'll touch on this because LA County Jail 2008, around that time was there was a lot of stuff going on with sheriffs and sheriff gangs that were in the jail. And so when I started going to LA County Jail, it's when like the 3000 boys were there, which was a pretty big thing. They ended up getting indicted with Sheriff Lee Baca and Tanaka under, under sheriff. But so I was around these guys when I was doing time, which was a real serious thing. You know, these guys were a bunch of juiced up guys all blasted up and they would just be beaten guys with mag lights all day long. It was, it was, it was pretty bad. Like if you looked at them, they would smash Your head against the wall and crack you upside the head. So county jail in LA county was way different than it is these days. But anyways, that's another story. When I was in LA county jail I was everywhere. I was in supermax, which is high security. Of course, out at wayside Pitches detention center which does exist. A lot of people think there's no supermax in a county jail. LA county jail has one.
- [14:15]
A
Which just means you're just locked down, correct? Like hardcore.
- [14:19]
B
Correct? Yeah, it's, it's, it's, it's an indoor. You're inside except you get yard once a week for I think an hour and a half. That's about it. So you see daylight for about an hour and a half a week and.
- [14:30]
A
The rest of the time you're locked down in basically solitary confinement.
- [14:33]
B
So supermax, there's a few different sections to supermax, there's like a 500, 500s through 900s. So 500s, 600s are usually the trustee units dorm living. They do all of the work around the facility. Seven hundreds is medium security. That's still dorm living but it's still your inside in the, in the dorm 247 you get out once a week. Like I mentioned, 8 hundreds then is higher security. It's high security. All the guys in there are fighting life, they're fighting serious crime, murders. And then the nine hundreds is high power. Where celebrities go or guys that are documented, you know, high powers. Nine hundreds, that's also where they have ad seg which is the hole there for supermax. I ended up going there one time for being off my rack when I shouldn't have been. They gave me a 30 day shot in the hole In Adseg, which was a very small room with a pop door on one side and a slider on the other. You're served what was called juke balls back then. It was, would take the food, grind it up, put it in a tray and heat it up. So you'd get these two little loaves of food. We're called juke balls. You'd get two of those twice a day. And that was all the food you got.
- [15:55]
A
Wow. And that was solitary.
- [15:57]
B
That was solitary, yeah. They would run showers at like 3 in the morning, just when I would finally start to fall asleep. And they'd pop your door, they'd buzz your door for a second. If you didn't catch it, you're not getting a shower. So if you did catch that, which they ran it every, every couple days or so you would go, you have to Run to a cold shower that you got for two minutes and then be back in your cell.
- [16:20]
A
So at some point you get out and you're putting this behind you, you get help, you get rehab and then you think everything is good and then it's not, right?
- [16:34]
B
Correct. Yeah. In that madness, those madness years that I had while I was locked up, one time was I was told to contact home. And I didn't know at that point what that meant. I called my father and my father told me my brother had been murdered. He was shot and killed by an employee of ours, of the construction company that we had. So it was. That was whole lot to say about that. Actually felt, felt it the day before when he was dying, like 3 to 4pm I was like overcome with a lot of anger and rage. Stuff that I'd learned to deal with when I was in younger, but I was like almost overcome. I really wanted to like hurt somebody or do something and I didn't understand why, which was pretty interesting. Then finding out a day later at that time, my brother was passing. So yes, I did get out. Vicious cycle continued. I took it to San Diego because when I got out, I was finally off paper. Went to go be close to my mom. But again, I got back into my addiction, turned San Diego into kind of a movie scene like I did with LA and got in a high speed pursuit on October 4th or 5th. I'm kind of blanking now, but high speed pursuit. Got caught and that turned out to be my clean date. At that point in time, I gave it all up. I was like, I'm done. Found myself again in a cell. Holidays coming up. I was like, how many of these holidays, seasons have I been doing this? And went to a church service in there. And I had the holy Spirit in him, bro. I just, I broke down. It was the first time in my life I actually like literally broke down, went back to my cell and I was like, God. I was like just talking to God and it wasn't audible, but I heard him like, I have something better for you. I was like, okay. I was like, all right. I was like, I'm done, I'm done. You say you got something better. Let's go. Went to court, lurking, looking at numerous felony charges on the case. I was praying to God like, hey, let me get a program, please. I got like, let me just go to a program, put this behind me. No deal on the table for a program, you know, it was all my low, medium and high terms, period. Get into court and the judge is like, you know, for some reason, I want to offer this. Offer you a program. Would you be interested in taking a program? Wow. Yeah. Yeah, right? Yes, sir. You will not see me again. Okay. Went to the program, fast tracking that to be like a house manager, just crushing it, doing everything you're supposed to do. At that point, it was close to about a year. And that's when the U.S. marshal showed up and said they had a federal warrant for me. So I knew. I knew at that point. I've said this every time to me, there's a gang being played, and there's only two teams playing, and everybody's on the field. Nobody's on the sidelines. You play for one team or the other. And I know that I'd been playing for the wrong team for a long time. And I knew now that I'm playing for the right team and that the enemy is just going to try and get to steer me off course, you know? So I knew that. I knew that's what it was. I take accountability for what I did. It was. I take complete ownership for it. But I just knew it was trying to get me off track. Stayed on track, Got sentenced with the feds for a distribution case. And I really focused on myself. I knew how to do time. I'd always ran. I always ran a very good program when I was locked up, like, my bunk area was clean. I'm exercising, I'm doing. I'm running a good program, as you know, which led to a lot of things. While I was in county jails, I ran a lot of units for. For my race because everything's segregated there. You know, I was a shot caller in a lot of different places, but I'm just a regular white guy. I'm not like a political guy. I'm just a regular wood. But I would just run a good program and would get put into these positions of responsibility. I would make sure. Mandatory workout if you're 36 or younger, you're working out, your bed area is clean, etc. Etc. So I knew how to do time. I really focused on my personal development. When I went to the feds, I was like, okay, I'm not going to waste this time. Time is our most important asset in life, period. So I got involved. I did some college correspondence. I got a college degree. I started tracking my macros longhand in there. Got under 10% body fat. I'd set some goals for myself. Got in really good shape. I was put in. I got rdap, which is residential drug abuse program. It's A year program in custody on the main line. It's not any kind of special program. And in that program, I was just doing my. Running my program like I usually do my routine and they wanted me to become a mentor, so I became a mentor in that program. It's a lot of like CBT classes, stuff like that. Within. Within that time, I started coming across a bunch of Jocko stuff and I was like, I was like, wow, this discipline, this is like the path that I'm walking. I'm like, okay, I really dig this stuff. And so I was up actually in front of this unit reading discipline equals freedom to a bunch of these dudes, trying to get them to level up, you know, I end up doing my time, end up getting out, go to a halfway house, fast track that I get home confinement within a few weeks. It usually takes guys, months. Got that with the ankle monitor on. I'm in San Diego and. And so my older half brother Danny knows a couple of guys and he's like, hey, I want to take you over to Victory mma. And I'm like, I know Victory mma, as does Jocko's gym. So took me over there, introduced me to a bunch of guys there. They welcomed me in there, was going there first couple of days, I seen Dean Lister, who's a friend of mine, and he was like, bro, he's like, where have you been at? I knew him from back in the day. And I was like, man, I gave him a rundown and as I'm talking to Dean, Jocko comes walking up and I'm like, man, excuse me, sir. I was like, I gotta tell you something. I was like, I was reading your stuff in prison, really helped me out a lot. And I was reading your stuff to this whole unit full of guys. He was like, really? I was like, yes, sir.
- [22:48]
A
That's awesome, man.
- [22:49]
B
It's pretty cool. And they were like, what's. What's that on your leg? Is that your anti leg lock device? Perfect. And so way cool started rolling, you know, was just a blessing meeting a lot of wonderful people. It had been a. I started. So I started coming when I was locked up. I started reading a lot of guys that were like team guys. A lot of. A lot of stuff. And I realized there's a lot of parallels there, there so many parallels as, you know, like. And so it really resonated with me because I found myself having more in common with these kind of guys, you know, versus criminals. I think it was unfortunate when I was growing up that there wasn't access to as many people today, like now, if you want to search out and find somebody, follow somebody, you can follow what they're doing. Back when I was younger, it was. I was just. I was impressioned by a lot of the guys that were just doing the wrong things, selling drugs, stuff like that. So I end up meeting some guys, met a guy who's a SEAL team team guy and ended up taking me down to their new training facility that they have. And I was doing the combatives class with a bunch of the team guys. God just really started blessing me, man, in so many different ways. Meeting a lot of guys in the community, just. Whole life started to change. Just started doing the right things. Fast forwarding a little bit. I end up terminating federal probation early. Within a year, my PO was like, hey, if you want to file with the court, go for it. I was like, all right. The defense attorney was like, hey, we have to wait a few months. You're like, way ahead of schedule. That ended up happening. Also within a year, I was praying to God every night. I originally was working at the Iron Workers Union when I got out. So I'd get up at like 2:30, go to the gym, get on the yard by 6:30, wrench iron all day. Then I'd go to Victory in the afternoon, I'd go home, eat, pray for my wife that I really felt like I was ready, and go to sleep and repeat the process. So within about a year, I end up. I end up. Who was to be. My wife was on some dating apps, Christian dating apps. They're not very Christian for some reason, I don't know. And so I tried one other dating app. It was a regular dating app and came across this profile and got stuck on it. And I was like, why am I stuck on this profile? So I swiped the right way, we talked. We eventually went on a date. She almost kind of ran me over our first time. We met in the parking lot, and within six weeks, I asked her to marry me and I proposed. She said yes. And so then next thing you know, we're. We're getting married. I'm sitting there on my phone one day and she's like, hey, you know, like, let's look. We should go like up in a plane and like, go like, say our vows and jump or something. I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah. And she's like, yeah, no, maybe we can do it when we're like, in the air. And I'm like, like, wait a minute, like, you're serious? And she's like, yeah, absolutely. And I'm like, okay, I guess we're gonna go jump. So we jumped. We. We decided to elope because I got history and people are a little hesitant on, on that, which I understand. So we jumped, man. It was. Was badass. We. Neither of us had ever jumped before. I jumped in my cowboy boots, bro. Landed through all my resist all and set our vows on the ground pretty. Her idea. I take no credit whatsoever. She's got great ideas, but God's just been blessing me, man. It's like the biggest thing I see with guys, like I work with men today is guys. The biggest problem with relationships is people aren't properly aligned. My whole past were toxic relationships. And so I knew this time I was like, okay, the big box has got to line up for me. My faith is number one. So like number one, she's got to be a believer, she's got to be spending time in it, you know, etc. Etc. My, my, you know, health is important, you know, fitness, my worldly views are important. Also how I raise my, want to raise my. Our children are very, very important. All the big boxes lined up. You know, she came from a very almost legalistic type family. Very good girl. I mean, she's never got any trouble. She's never done anything wrong. Talk about like, opposites attract.
- [27:15]
A
You need that balance though.
- [27:16]
B
Yeah. Boy do we.
- [27:18]
A
Yeah.
- [27:19]
B
And, but she's been the biggest support behind me and everything I'm doing today. And I give all credit to her. Just blessings everywhere, man. It's just, just so many things start happening. I'm just all about. I came up with a mindset of wanting to give back. I was like, if I can go and talk to some kids, help some kids out, it's all worth it, man. It was, you know, no problem. And a guy knew my mindset. The first guy I started hanging out with, I met him in Victory and we started talking. Young, younger man, business owner. I was like, okay, I can talk to this person. Very cautious of who I surrounded myself with. And so we start talking and he's like, yeah, you know what you're all about how you operate. You know, guys are helping other men online. And I was like, ah, you know, whatever. And I was never on social media, so I had no idea. Took a look at it and I was like, hey, you know, that's kind of, you know, I have a, I have a story. And that's what I'm about. Like, I'm all about my, my, my discipline, my habits, my routine, my structure, et cetera. Et cetera. I can do that. And so I just got online and started filming myself. Man, I had no idea what to do or what not to do. And I just, I just am on there doing me. And I think that's been the biggest thing that resonates is people think it's very authentic. And bro, I'm on there doing it for a couple months and you get where you're kind of put out. And so like I've always watched stuff. Like I've seen you on YouTube, a lot of other guys that are in, in like your community and a couple of guys that have reached out to me. First was Taylor Kavanaugh reached out to me. Good dude. And was just giving me some good support for what I was doing. I was blown away. I was like, I watched this dude on YouTube, like then Cody Alford reached out to me. Me and Cody started talking. Great dude as well. Super supportive. Me and him are friends today. He's been supportive in everything I've done. Big shout out to Cody. We're just praying for you. And it's just been amazing, man. Just so many, so many people that I've just started meeting coming into. I started the business, started getting it, put it, putting it out there a little bit. Had the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful guys, all sorts of guys from, from every branch that have served. I've got. So I started working on my expungement process and I've got a stack of like 17 letters all from like highly decorated dudes, you know, a bunch of team guys, guys even in three letter agencies have written me letters, which blows my mind, you know, it's just super humbling and I'm just super grateful the story continues. Man. I just started, started rolling like I said. So I've done some jiu jitsu competitions, won some, some of those. Just did World League, which is a big, a little bit bigger competition in San Diego. I'm an old man, so like the masters two division, you know, the old guys, nobody was there. And then the masters one was full and they were like, all right, well if you want to compete, you got to go with the adults, the 20 year olds. And I'm like, man. So I was like, well, I'm here to get it, so let's get it. And so I did all right though. Lost my first match, won my second, ended up taking third with the youngsters. So I, I consider that a W for an old guy. But yeah, I won some competitions. I'm gonna, I'm registered for ADCC I'm gonna compete in that come next weekend. I mean, there's just so many. So many things, man, with so many guys. So now a lot of the guys that I've started this business, a lot of. A lot of men that I'm helping are a lot of guys that have. Talk about full circle, man. I've even got some LA County Sheriffs on the program. Wow. Yeah. Talk about full circle. A lot of guys that are LE guys. All sorts of guys. Bunch of Marines, all sorts of guys. There was one gentleman who was following me, said a couple of things, and his profile picture was him in uniform. And so I just say, hey, thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you for your service. Because I have the utmost respect for people that are putting in work for the people, you know, for, you know, the citizens of this country. And so I have the utmost respect there. And we started talking a little bit, and I told him, however I can be of service, let me know. And he thought it was kind of funny. He would tell me later on, but he ends up contacting me back, and he's like, hey, if you want to come speak at this recovery center for first responders, I'd love to have you push. Let's go. So went spoke at this recovery center. It turned out to be a bunch of LE guys. And he kind of introduced me beforehand. They're. Look, they're like this guy, like. So I. I gave him. I gave my spiel and actually got, like, positive feedback from, like, 90 of the people in there, like, saying that, like, it helped them a lot, you know, which was sweet, man. And this LE guy, he ends up retiring, invited me to his retirement party. And then my faith is big. I put it out there in all my stuff. And so he was like, he. Would you come do the invocation prayer on my retirement party? All right, let's go.
- [32:37]
A
Really?
- [32:37]
B
So, yeah. And so then I get there, and he's like, well, they need to know how we met and, like, who you are. So, like, would you go ahead and just speak, man? Okay. Okay. God, you know, I just. All this stuff I'm taking to God or taking to. I got a good community of guys that are just juggernauts for Christ and just praying on stuff and just.
- [33:00]
A
Just.
- [33:00]
B
I mean, there's so many things I just. It's hard for me to even keep track of them. You know, it's just been. Been a wild ride. I think the best part is, is just I've really found, like, my purpose. Like, I know God has put Me here to do what I'm doing. You know, everything that I've gone through, I mean there's so much in my story. I mean I've given like a real crash course on just some of it. It's all that experience is given to me to share with other men today to help them keep them from making the same mistakes or just be better men. And, and that's what's going on today. Guys are just, I mean whole lives are changing, man. It's, it's, it's, it's funny because it's like unchained fit or it's not, it's not. Yes, I do like nutrition and fitness with guys training. I mean I got guys that are contracting have to hit qualifications. So I'm doing specific type programs for these individuals. I mean it's nothing. It's not a cookie cutter program. It's like I tailor this specifically to individuals and their needs, but it's so much more than just about. 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, not necessarily in that order, but each of these, it needs to be firing on all cylinders. Like we need to be in shape, like we need to be men. That's just. I could get Ran and Raven on that, but it's so it starts with men. It's getting guys in shape. So it is a baseline on nutrition and fitness because this has to be in good condition. But then I think the most fruits of it are is all the other things that happen. I mean it ripple effects into every area of these guys's lives they're leading their family. A lot of these guys are coming into their faith, so they're wives are coming into their faith. Their kids are. One of my guys daughters asked for a Bible for Christmas. Like what kind of what kid asked for a bible for Christmas? You know, so just big powerhouse moves for the kingdom, man. And to me, I don't know if you. If there's anything better better than that. Really?
- [35:07]
A
Man, there's nothing, man. No, I noticed that when you started off, you talked about the beginning of this entire journey started with the absence of your father.
- [35:20]
B
Yeah.
- [35:20]
A
And, and that's pretty profound because.
- [35:24]
B
We.
- [35:25]
A
All know the statistics. I mean it's, it's gross statistics. Numbers of how many people that are in prison grew up absent of their father, you have a 20 times more likelihood of Being in prison as a young man, if you don't have a father in the home. And there's many variables, but the most distinct and profound one is the absence of that father figure. Because like you said, you leaned in on the men that you were surrounded with. And that parallel is when I was 17 years old, the infantry. I was surrounded by a bunch of infantry guys and then a bunch of Green Berets. And you could have been a operator in special operations, but because of the people that you were surrounding yourself with that you looked as people that were mentoring you, then you took that natural path, that path of least resistance. How much of an impact has that had? Being absent, waking up that next morning and realizing your dad's gone. And then how much of that affected your addiction and your desire to, to escape and find other outlets?
- [36:36]
B
Great point. Great, great point. And the spectrum is so wide because like, my father was gone the next morning. However, he was still pretty present in my life. So even with a father that was. Would come pick us up to take us to school a couple times a week, he would still be present at all of my sporting events. He would still take me to practice. To, to practice, you know, was very, very. Still very present, but wasn't in the home. And I think that was a big thing. I think that was a key factor there. So it's even just not even if the dad is completely gone. He was still present, but just wasn't in the home. And.
- [37:16]
A
And you could have a father present in the home that's not proactive in the kids lives, right?
- [37:20]
B
Yeah, we see a lot of that these days.
- [37:22]
A
Yeah. And so do you, do you think that, do you think that is one of the reasons why you sought addiction? Was it in you? Because I talked. I've talked to a lot of people who have addictive personalities. They knew they had addictive personalities. They share the same experience. Like meth changed their life for the worst because it was the high that they were always chasing with other drugs. And then all they try to do is get that same high and it caused so many issues and compounded itself. And do you think you sought that addiction because of the lack of the father or what was the, the factor?
- [38:00]
B
It was originally wanting to be a part of these kids. And then I, I know that I have addictive. It's in my family's pat. It's in tendencies. Yeah, yeah. So I think starting to develop these addictions then just really took it and kicked it into high gear, you know, if that makes sense. Um, if it wasn't. If I hadn't started early, it wouldn't have. It wouldn't have got. It wouldn't have progressed to such a disaster. I mean there was nothing I wouldn't do. I mean I was doing all sorts of wrong. Wrong to people and places and everything. Both parents, the roles are so important. Both of them. Each. Each one, as we're doing a lot of, you know, we're looking to have kids here in the future and so we're doing a lot of studying and everything. And both roles are just so important. I don't think one is greater than the other. But both need to be a male and a female.
- [39:06]
A
Both.
- [39:07]
B
100 man yeah.
- [39:10]
A
When you, when you found God at the point in which you basically were so broken that you couldn't probably make it to your own feet, do you feel like that was the right moment? That it was God's plan and purpose and everything was intentional up up until that moment in time?
- [39:30]
B
100 yeah, I think it's was specifically that time. It's not. Nothing is by chance. Like it's the same thing with somebody. Like you can't help. You can't make somebody get sober, get their, get their button gear. That person has to come to that conclusion. So I know without a doubt that it was all specific design all the way up until that point. And moving forward, everything that's happening.
- [39:58]
A
Interesting. I know you've been, I mean, it's just been a couple of years since you've been out of prison, right?
- [40:04]
B
Two and a half.
- [40:04]
A
Two and a half years as part of the incentive. Because I always wonder this about what I look at as a broken system is part of the incentive. Of course, correcting because you don't want to end back up in jail or prison or is it have really nothing to do with that? Because they say that's a driving factor. Right. If we punish these men and we take away their freedom and we make the conditions poor or bad, then they won't ever want to come back. But from my experience in talking to men who've been in prison, my dad was a corrections officer my entire childhood. The men that ended up back in prison didn't end up back in prison because they hated it. They actually in some cases preferred it. And I don't think a lot of people talk about that where that's a safe space. You talked about the rigidity and discipline and the structure that you develop. That's similar to the military, by the way. Right. A lot of people say, for example, if you're in the military, it's super difficult. I think it's super easy because everything is proposed for you. You're given a left and right limit, you're given gates backstops, you have structure. You wake up on a schedule and then that efficiency builds itself into better mental clarity, health and wellness. And when you don't have that, you start to struggle. And a lot of men want that because the outside world, in whatever way impacts them in a negative way and they can't deal with it. Have you found that in your experience?
- [41:39]
B
Yes. 100. There's so many. The end of the day, like we have a choice. I think that's what it comes down to. And, and a man makes a choice, makes a decision. Like you're saying inside you, there's numerous different ways that you can go about living inside. It can be very structured, routine. But then it can also be on the flip side and there's no structure, no routine. People are passing the time, doing drugs or watching, sitting in front of the TV for, for years at a time. So I believe it comes down to a choice. I. There are a lot of individuals that would prefer to be locked up. Basically, they, that's what they know. That's unfortunately for a lot of these guys. That's all they, they have. They're. They're somebody of importance. If they go in there. Oh yeah, yeah. So there's that aspect. There's the aspect of the people that don't have like that are homeless or something. So if they go in there, at least they've got a roof over their head. They've got three meals. There's so many different variations of why people would choose to be inside or, or not and everywhere in between. And that's why I originally stated that it comes down to a choice. Like, I think people really overlook the fact that, like, we have a choice. We have a choice every day. We have a choice to get up out of the bed in the morning. We have a choice to eat good food or not eat good food. We have a choice to work out. So I really think, like I say it a lot of the time in my content man, make good choices. Make good choices because it's the end of the day, like, we are in control of it.
- [43:15]
A
Do you ever feel anxiety or just a feeling that maybe because it's weird, I felt this. And again, this is a microcosm from your experience spending a decade in prison culminated. But have you ever got anxiety being the two and a half years out, almost inversely that like every day that you're out. You're only a matter of an impulse decision away from being back in. And that gives you that. That struggle between freedom that you're walking around now enjoying with your wife and your family, building your business, and that you potentially could end up there. Back again.
- [43:57]
B
Another. Another great question. The whole topic of anxiety is I really feel I've struggled. I'm. I'm better today than I've. I progressively have gotten better and better. Yes, there are the times when I. I'm always aware of what's going on and what could happen and what could the possibilities be of it. So I do experience that anxiety. However, the bulk of it or I really feel like I don't know if there's. For me, I've lost like, the whole buffer room. It was like I go from normal to being like, in a complete, like, state of like, anxiety in a split second. And I think that is due to being locked up in the situations I was in, being in a courtroom with having, you know, time, a lot of time over your head, etc. And I think it's very similar. Like the whole transitioning, so you spend. Spend a few years in prison and transitioning back into society is very similar to like, what a lot of military guys go through.
- [45:02]
A
Transitional issues.
- [45:03]
B
100. There's so many parallels there, bro. It's. It's. It's so. I've struggled with that. I think the biggest thing is like, if anybody's out there and going through it, like, you can't feed into it. Like these, this. This anxiety stuff. Something's like you're doing, making this transition, this transition. You just can't feed into it. As soon as it starts creeping up, you got to just like, go back to protocols, like, what am I doing next? Like, focus on today. And it's like, what are your daily things that you're doing? And just stay within your protocols. But it, it was really bad. And I'd have. I'd have some moments where I'd be. Sometimes nothing would be going wrong. I'd just be sitting there and then all of a sudden I'd be overcome with this, like, extremely insane amount of anxiety that's gotten better. I don't think that's been an issue really for me. I'd say within, like the last maybe year, but within the first year and a half, it could be set off at random. And. Yeah, so that's a lot of stuff too, that I work with guys, guys that have gone through stuff, guys that are transitioning, guys that are because you know, it's all the same typical stuff. Guys lose their purpose, they lose their community. You know, it's. It's the same thing. Like I came out of there, it's like I lost my purpose, I lost my identity, who I had been my entire life, you know, my community. Everything is the same thing. Just on a flip side.
- [46:18]
A
Yeah.
- [46:18]
B
Yeah.
- [46:19]
A
It's crazy, the parallels. I. I think one of the things that seems beneficial in your circumstance with Unchained is that it's sustaining your accountability.
- [46:32]
B
Yeah.
- [46:33]
A
Because when you're in a position. I've always talked about this in small unit leadership. Like if I was in. When I was in Ranger school when I was 18 years old, I preferred to be in charge because when I was in charge, it's what proactively moved me. Right. It motivated me because the spotlight was on me and I trusted my instincts, I trusted my decision making. But when you're not in charge and you're subordinate to somebody else, there's more room to fail. And when people depend on you, which certainly at this point many men depend on you, they lean in on you. That brings profound purpose and almost like God sended purpose. Right. It's like that opportunity happened because of the trauma and experiences that you went through in prison and through this vicious cycle to get you to a point where your voice is recognized and validated through that experience. It's not just a story, it's the narrative of your life. Right. Your life experience. And it seems like that's something that would be beneficial and just mediating or sustaining a healthy life moving in the future.
- [47:39]
B
Absolutely. That's another. So it instantly reminded me of. And that's exactly why I would take these positions of responsibility when I was inside, is because I'd rather be in control of the situation than there would be times where something's happening and it doesn't take much between a couple of guys and then the possibility of a riot could pop off. And so it's just as you said, I'd rather be in control. And I had no idea God is so good, man. It's like he had me build these leadership skills. I've. I was leading men for years inside there, and then today to be doing what I'm doing, it's like, you couldn't have set that up any better. Yeah, I agree with everything you've said is, is, Is spot on. That's why I'm over here smiling so big.
- [48:21]
A
You know, what a blessing, man. Let's go through a little bit about the program itself.
- [48:25]
B
Sure.
- [48:25]
A
How does this, how does this whole thing work? I'm actually interested personally because I have a community church that I want to do, but I don't want to do a physical structured church. I want to do more of a faith based mentorship program, but it's non profit based. You have an online program, you do things in. How does the whole thing work?
- [48:47]
B
Absolutely. So it is. So I, I optimize Instagram. It's free marketing. So I've, I put everything out on there. I've got some stuff on other platforms but Instagram is my main go to. So the program is, we do in person stuff but the program is online because I mean the phone is everything. The phone's with you everywhere you go. And, and so I do run, do run nutrition with guys. I set guys as macros. I set their calories, their fat, their protein, their carbs. I give guys meal plans, I give guys grocery lists, I give guys meal prepping lists. Very thorough. I like, I like just having your sops man, have everything laid out, easy to follow like you were saying. Then I, so I do all nutrition with guys. We track that on an app. I then also have a training app that has workout different workout programs loaded for guys. Again, depending on the guy and what's going on with them. I run zoom calls with the team, a couple zoom calls a week, a weekday and a weekend. So everybody gets a chance to jump on. And I've also started a video messaging app and this has been key. It's just every guys from the team are on this thread. You can shoot a little video clip, say whatever you're saying and dump it into the conversation. And so guys, so it's an, it's literally a community of men, of like minded men at your fingertips whenever you want. And so you can jump in, catch the conversation that's going. Guys are being vulnerable, they're being transparent. They're bringing whatever they want to the table. You got a bunch of, bunch of guys in there, so nobody's judging, you know, and this. And so I've really been building the community, that community aspect because a lot of us are all into our faith. A lot of guys that come to seek to get on my program are interested in building on their faith. But, but again, it's all foundations. They want to be in good shape too, so. But I do also do in person stuff as well. Like this next Saturday I'm having a team event. It's an open event. I invite anybody to come out, who wants to come out. I'm Not, I'm not charging for this event. So I got guys from my team coming in from Arizona, Texas, New York. Start off at my gym, we'll do a workout, then I'm going to take them up to victory, get on the mats, do some basic like self defense stuff. I got one of my coaches that's going to be there, my wife, she's present for a lot of stuff too, so she's in the gym. So the women that are coming out, wives, they'll be women will be working out, they can go up on the mats. My coach, his wife, she's a black belt. So the women will be doing stuff too. It's a family affair, you know, and so we're doing that, gonna be fellowshipping, getting some food and then we're going to go to adcc. Was just to watch the competitions, but I decided to register so. But the, the community aspect is so huge, man. Like that's really. Guys need it, man. Guys need it.
- [51:44]
A
Like they need brotherhood, they need camaraderie. Right. They need a group or tribe that they could lean in on.
- [51:50]
B
Yeah.
- [51:50]
A
And did you use, I mean it seems like this, this might have been in hindsight but, but did you use fitness to bring like more access and placement to talk about? God, is that, is that.
- [52:04]
B
I think so. I think subconsciously I did. I just, I'm just being me, you know, and it's just like I have these habits, you know, which happen to be fitness and happen to be eating good and then I just, and, but this is just who I am. You know, guys, like, I'll have a lot of guys that want to get on the program, but they're very hesitant because it's like, are you really who you say you are? Yeah. And over time, once guys communicate with me and talk, they're like, okay, like, yeah, you're the real deal. So I'm just being me, which is the greatest part about it, you know, And I think that's what, I think that's what people need because everything today is just not as it seems sometimes.
- [52:43]
A
Yeah. And so that's, that's how it always is with social media. But the cool thing about the technical aspect of your unchained group is you're giving people physical access to be able to break bread, build relationships. And obviously it has to be limited at scale. But that kind of access, when you're scamming somebody, you never give that kind of access. Right. You just talk behind a paywall. The fact that you're doing things in the community is because it's part of your life. That's a lot different than the typical protocol.
- [53:18]
B
Absolutely. Yeah. So I bring guys into the community at no charge. Like, hey, you want to get into the community? Like, you want. Want some fellowship, brotherhood, Cool, come on in. But it's once guys want to go all in if they want to run their fitness, their nutrition and everything. And yes, it is a business. It's how I, I have to support my family. But also, like, I've noticed something like I've done for people that maybe were family or very close friends, and I'll just put them on the program completely, and they don't. Nothing happens. They don't. It's just like a kid. If a kid doesn't earn something, if they're just given something, they're not going to. It doesn't have the same value, you know, and so it's like, to run the whole thing and really have it, like, cranking, you got to have some skin in the game.
- [54:00]
A
Yeah.
- [54:00]
B
And that's. And that's so. But I mean, it is what it is. I mean, you know, sometimes you have to pay to pay attention, you know.
- [54:08]
A
Have you kept in touch with anybody that you were in prison with? Is that something that some guys have reached out?
- [54:15]
B
You know, I didn't really have anybody that I was, like, pursuing when I came out, but there's been a whole lot of guys, a lot of guys that I've been locked up with in the feds and then even prior people that are seeing me online that have. Were just locked up with me at some point in time in some facility because I was LA County Jail, Orange County Jail, San Diego County, I got around a little bit, but a lot of guys have reached out, and a lot of guys are, you know, proud of what I'm doing. And I think it's actually influencing a lot of these guys to get their, their acts together too, because a lot of these guys are like, hey, I'm. I'm doing better, man. I'm not screwing up. D d d d and that's. That's. That's awesome.
- [54:55]
A
What's keeping you out of jail right now? What is it? What is it? Can you put your finger on it?
- [55:00]
B
I'm just done. Like, I'm done living. Like, I'm just done living that life. Like, I, I don't. I'm just not the same person anymore. My addiction was really the common denominator. That's what the, the bulb went off when I was in that. In my cell talking to God you know, he told me he had something better for me, but a light bulb went off. It was like, duh, it's your addiction, man. Dummy. You know, it just had me around certain people doing certain things, you know, in certain places, and it was like, oh, wow, like I just cut out my addiction and like this stuff goes away.
- [55:30]
A
Have you converted that addiction into a positive place like fitness or.
- [55:36]
B
Apparently so, yeah.
- [55:37]
A
Which is good.
- [55:39]
B
Absolutely. We just trade. We trade bad habits for good habits.
- [55:41]
A
Absolutely.
- [55:42]
B
It's very typical guys that were in a addiction. Some of the greatest guys that I have were just in bad addiction. One guy hit me up specifically, was like having a mental breakdown, was getting on a plane. High paid union worker, makes well over 200 a year. He was calling me, he's like, I'm broke. I have no money in my bank. He's like, I just did some cocaine and I've been, been drinking and I'm on my way to a job. He's like, I. I don't know if I can do this anymore. I just walked him through it. I'm like, all right, bro, like, when you land, call me, we'll get you to the hotel. Landed called me, talked him to the hotel. I'm like, all right, let's get you on. He was able to charge a credit card, got him on the program. Next day he stopped using, stopped drinking, started hitting the gym. Within like four months, he went from having this big old beer belly to that thing was gone. He's getting jacked, Building his sobriety time now. Today he's got, man, I think a little over a year and a half. Clean, stacked a bunch of money, quit one job to work for another job. He just bought himself a new boat. Just completely changed his life, man. And, and, but those, but the guys that have the addiction issues are some of the most savage guys. It's like you just take that and point it in a healthy direction and these guys freaking crush it, man.
- [56:56]
A
Yeah. Addiction in the right place is just called success. Right? That's what happens when you place that energy in a good place. Especially if you add God on top of that.
- [57:06]
B
Amen. Amen.
- [57:07]
A
Lastly, what's next for you? I feel like, I feel like in your life, two and a half years does not seem like a long time. No distance from that. And I feel like if you're looking at success is creating as much distance away from that point in your life as possible with the potential of expunging these charges because obviously a felony hanging over your head affects everything you're doing. And if I feel like if celebrities like Jelly Roll can get that opportunity to kind of reinvent himself, many more people, average people should be able to get that opportunity if they're proving their worth in assimilating and benefiting society. Right. How do you. What's next for you in the future and where do you see this thing going?
- [57:56]
B
Thank you. So there's a couple things that I just. So like I mentioned, so many good things have already happened. I saw. So I saw Jocko recently at a book signing event. Hadn't seen him because I, when I started the business actually stopped rolling for a while because I just starting a business as a monster. So I saw Jocko and I was, wasn't sure how much he'd remember me. So I go to this book signing event. He, we see each other. He's like, hey, what's up? So I'm like, okay. He remembers me. And I was like, yeah, hey. I was like, you know, remember like I had or.
- [58:26]
A
You're easily rememberable. You're like a 6 foot 3, 200 plus pound dude with that. You don't look like an average kind of guy.
- [58:36]
B
You know, I just, I don't know. I. So yeah, he recalled me and I was someone's. Yeah, you know, I was telling you about, I was reading the stuff in prison. He's like, yes, I know. He's like, I've been telling that story to people. I was like, really? Yeah. And I was like, well, hey, by the way, I got to tell you something. I was like, I started a business where I'm, I'm helping other men, I'm coaching men, I'm helping them to be more disciplined, to be more routine. And he's like, really? I'm like, yes, sir. And I was also, by the way, sir, I almost forgot to tell you, I was like, I'm actually partnered with Jocko Fuel now. Yeah, A couple months prior through some other guys that were. That I've met just from me doing my thing. Like I met JP Denil. And so I was on JP's podcast through some other guys. I ended up getting on with Jocko Fuel. So I was like, yeah, by the way, I'm partnered with Jocko Fuel. And I was like, oh yeah, by the way, I was on JP's podcast. And he's like, really? I was like, yeah, it was at a Dave Burke's book signing event. And so Dave goes, He's like, yeah, I thought I recognized you. And I'm like, man, this is crazy. I'm at his book signing that he's telling me he recognizes me. Thank God you're good. And. And Sujaga was like, he's like, wow. He's like, you know what? He's like, you need to write your book. And he's like, he's like, you need to write your book. If you write your book. I know a publishing company. And I was like, I was like, I'll write the book if you publish it.
- [59:50]
A
Wow.
- [59:51]
B
So we'll see.
- [59:52]
A
So what an opportunity. Chocolate's good peoples too. I love Jocko.
- [59:55]
B
Yeah. So. So now. Now, you know, I'm banging the thing out, you know, Like, I'd been. My mom had told me for a long time. And a lot of people that know me know my story, they're like, bro, you need to write a book.
- [60:04]
A
It would be a really good book because, I mean, the nitty gritty is the rawness of your experience and not holding back. And then that's three quarters of the book. And then turning it around is the rest, right? I mean, oh, it would be good.
- [60:19]
B
Thank you. And it's like, where do I stop it at? It's like, there's such good things are happening already. I mean, it's like, think about it. I'm go. I was in prison in a cell reading this dude's business books and all his stuff. Then I go to meeting this dude and it's like, I'm on. I'm like, like, they sent me a shirt to wear. You know what I mean? Like, it's just like, what? But I think it's such a good story. Like every. Like there's no glory in a man who never fell. You know what I mean? And if it's like, man, if somebody can take that.
- [60:46]
A
And yeah, your story is every man's story, just amplified, right? And. And you need amplification to break through the noise. So men don't listen to other men. But if you're amplified because your story is extreme or just louder than everybody else's, they'll listen. And there's only few people in the world, men wise, that other men will listen to. And whether it's a. You look at it as a. You know, I think everything that comes from God's a gift. But that gift, despite all the trauma, I mean, you look at Jocko's experience, both me and him were in service together. Both 20 year experiences, full of drama, full of things that we'll never tell anybody. Full of sorrow and lost friends and the same things that you went through just in a Parallel universe that literally give you the voice to be able to get through the noise, to communicate to mental. Otherwise they won't listen. If you're just some average schmo, they're just not going to listen to your story. You. You have to be the one. Because we need informal leaders, like leaders that are willing to step up without the designated position or role.
- [61:52]
B
Yeah, I, I agree. 100. It's. It's amazing the people that, that I'm able to reach. I mean, it's, it's everybody. And in between, I mean, a lot of the guys that follow and support me are all guys that are like law enforcement or corrections or, you know, and all the way on the flip side. So it's like men will listen to only certain men, you know, And I think that's. It's just why it's just so important, man. And I'm just, I'm just on the gas, bro. I'm really like, just getting warmed up, man. Like, I'm just getting started, you know?
- [62:20]
A
It's awesome, man. I'm proud of you.
- [62:22]
B
Thank you.
- [62:22]
A
Not everybody could be a chief. You're a chief for sure, man. We got too many Indians that think they're. They're chiefs. But God, God gave you that ability and he gave you that experience for a reason.
- [62:35]
B
Thank you, sir.
- [62:35]
A
I'll be praying for you and I'll be rooting for you. And I'm here, I'm a supporter as well. Whatever you need from me or from us, we're here for you, man. I appreciate you coming on the podcast and being so vulnerable as well, telling your story.
- [62:47]
B
Yeah, I appreciate it. No, thank you so much. It's an honor. You know, it's a, it's a huge blessing, man. I've seen you for. I've been watching you on stuff for years as well. So it's just a surreal moment for me and for you to say that is means a lot to me and it's an honor, brother. Thank you.
- [63:02]
A
Yeah, I appreciate you.
- [63:03]
B
Yep.
- [63:04]
A
Guys, I'll have all of Anthony's information down below, even how you could join the Unchained Fit group, as well as his social media handles and how you can get more involved. Also, we'll be waiting for the follow up podcast with you as soon as that book drops. Also, you should be going on calling out Jocko, Jocko, get this man on the podcast because it's a lot bigger podcast than mine. But that story needs to be heard by many. I appreciate you coming on the podcast, brother.
- [63:28]
B
Thank you, sir. Thank you.
- [63:29]
A
Thanks, guys. Till next time.