Andy Frisella

Template:Template otherTemplate:Wikidata image Andy Frisella (September 29, 1984) is an American author, entrepreneur, and public speaker, best known for creating several companies within the health and fitness sector and developing the 75 Hard Mental Toughness Program.

Early Life and Education

Frisella was raised in Missouri and struggled with weight and grades as a child. In spite of this, he demonstrated an entrepreneurial inclination at an early age, participating in activities such as selling lemonade, light bulbs, and baseball cards to generate funds.

Career

Frisella co-founded Supplement Superstores, a chain of nutrition supplement retailers, when he was in his early twenties. Based on this experience, he went on to create 1st Phorm International, a nutritional supplement business which was said to bring in more than $175 million per year.

Aside from these businesses, Frisella has established and run a number of other companies such as Alpine Sports Products, Carbon Fire Nutrition, Paradise Distribution, and 44Seven Media, whose combined yearly revenue is in excess of $200 million.

In 2019, Frisella introduced the 75 Hard Mental Toughness Program, a regimen designed to enhance mental resilience and discipline through daily tasks over a 75-day period.

Podcasting and Authorship

Between 2015 and 2019, Frisella had a podcast called The MFCEO Project, which was a business and self-help podcast that gained a lot of popularity. He now has REAL AF with Andy Frisella, where he talks about what's trending, business tactics, and self-help matters.

As an author, Frisella has written both for adults and children, focusing on themes of personal development and success.

Controversy

In September 2024, Andy Frisella, founder of 1st Phorm and host of the "Real AF" podcast, faced significant backlash following controversial remarks about female police officers. During an episode coinciding with National Police Woman Day, Frisella expressed that women should not serve as police officers and made violent comments suggesting that, without their badges and firearms, male officers could "end their [expletive] life." ​

Public and Institutional Response

The remarks were widely condemned by law enforcement agencies and the public. St. Louis and St. Louis County police departments severed all ties with Frisella and his companies, ceasing acceptance of donations and services. St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory described the comments as "hateful" and "violent," emphasizing the departments' commitment to supporting female officers. ​

Additionally, Club Fitness, a regional gym chain, removed all 1st Phorm products from its shelves in response to the controversy. Nonprofit organizations such as Guns 'N Hoses and BackStoppers, which had previously received substantial donations from Frisella, also distanced themselves, with Guns 'N Hoses declining a $100,000 donation for that year. ​

Frisella's Apology and Aftermath

Frisella issued multiple apologies, including a 12-minute audio recording where he expressed regret for his statements, acknowledging that his comments were inappropriate and hurtful. He attributed his remarks to a past negative experience with female officers but admitted that generalizing was wrong. ​

Despite the apologies, many critics viewed his responses as insufficient, suggesting that the apologies were motivated by business interests rather than genuine remorse. The incident sparked broader discussions about misogyny, accountability, and the responsibilities of public figures in their commentary.​

Personal Life

Frisella is married to Emily Frisella, an Amazon bestselling cookbook author and entrepreneur.