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Austen Alexander Confronts Donut Operator | Unsubscribe Podcast Ep 288

Unsubscribe Podcast

Hosted by The Fat Electrician

2h 17m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

This episode of the Unsubscribe Podcast features the hosts Brandon Herrera, Donut Operator, Eli Doubletap, and The Fat Electrician joined by guest Austin Alexander, a former Navy master-at-arms and fitness content creator. The conversation uncovers a bizarre historical connection: the guest and Donut Operator actually grew up in the same small town of Florence, Alabama, attended the same high school, and even shared run-ins before their military service. The guest details his turbulent path through the Navy, from surviving a severe MRSA infection that nearly resulted in leg amputation to washing out of dive training and later working in base security in Bahrain and California. They discuss the realities of military life, the shock of transitioning to civilian content creation, and how debt and obsessive work ethic drove the guest to build a successful fitness brand and online following.

  • Check your physical training contracts carefully before shipping off to basic training to ensure you are qualified for the specific specialty you selected. 19:49
  • Embrace financial pressure and high-stakes goals as a way to force yourself to succeed when transitioning out of the military. 1:38:21
  • Building physical products for the military market requires massive upfront financial risk and inventory investment before seeing returns. 2:10:03

Chapters

  1. 0:00
    Podcast Intro and Host Banter

    The episode opens with a playful countdown and light‑hearted banter among the hosts before introducing the guest.

  2. 2:01
    Misidentification: Navy SEAL vs. Comedian

    Austin clarifies he is not a Navy SEAL, but a comedian, and the hosts discuss how AI and social media have conflated their identities.

  3. 8:07
    Deployments and Hardships: Bahrain, Qatar, and Medical Challenges

    The conversation covers Austin’s overseas assignments, the extreme heat of Bahrain, and a serious MRSA infection that nearly cost him a leg.

  4. 9:02
    High‑School Bullying Backstory

    Austin recounts his high‑school experiences with Donut Operator (Cody) and the long‑standing tension between them.

  5. 11:38
    Wrap‑Up, Reflections, and Future Plans

    The hosts reflect on the confrontation, discuss the impact of AI misinformation, and hint at future episodes exploring similar themes.

  6. 12:30
    Introducing Austin Alexander and the Confrontation Premise

    The hosts welcome Austin Alexander and explain the episode’s goal of confronting him over past bullying and misidentification.

  7. 47:52
    Military Career Decision Advice

    Hosts discuss how to advise friends considering Navy or police careers.

  8. 49:12
    AI Tools for Productivity

    Conversation about using Perplexity and other AIs to streamline tasks.

  9. 50:50
    Re-enlistment and Duty Station Frustrations

    Speaker shares frustrations over promised duty stations and re-enlistment decisions.

  10. 55:53
    Content Creation and NCIS Investigation

    Speaker explains how YouTube success led to an NCIS investigation and 30‑day brig stay.

  11. 56:50
    Early Navy Experiences and Training

    Recounting boot camp, B school, and first duty station challenges.

  12. 1:00:00
    Military Journey: From Navy Diver to Naval Law Enforcement

    Austin details his 27‑year Navy career, including training, deployments, injuries, and his eventual role as a Master at Arms.

  13. 1:19:41
    Debt, Side Hustles, and Viral Videos

    Describes paying off debt through social media marketing and viral fitness videos.

  14. 1:25:23
    Post‑Military Entrepreneurship and Growth

    Highlights the transition to full‑time content creation, business ventures, and future plans.

  15. 1:29:20
    Admiral Encounter and Career Closure

    Recounts a tense Admirals visit that ultimately led to a smooth exit from the Navy.

  16. 1:35:11
    Recollections of Overnight Success

    The hosts reminisce about the overnight viral moment that launched their channel.

Highlights

  • 37:51

    Severe MRSA Infection in Boot Campstory

    The guest recounts contracting a dangerous skin and tissue infection during basic training that required ten days on heavy IV antibiotics and a terrifying warning from a surgeon that his leg might need to be amputated.

  • 42:40

    Washing Out of Dive Trainingstory

    After struggling through intense aquatic adaptabilities and weak leg strength during pool week, the guest was presented with paperwork and effectively dropped from the Navy diver program.

  • 44:53

    Extreme Temperatures in Bahraindata

    The guest describes working gate security in Bahrain, where summer temperatures and wind chill routinely peaked at an unbearable 136 degrees.

  • 1:03:25

    Water Polo With Combat Veteransstory

    Donut Operator shares a humorous and brutal anecdote about being a junior sailor playing water polo with Navy SEALs who were cycling out of combat deployments and using the game to punch recruits.

  • 1:12:46

    Under Investigation by NCISstory

    The guest shares the terrifying moment he was called into a lieutenant's office at Seal Beach and informed he was under active investigation by NCIS over his social media monetization.

  • 1:29:20

    An Admiral's Surprising Visitstory

    While preparing for a dreaded high-level base inspection, the guest was singled out by a two-star admiral who pulled him aside simply to express fandom for his YouTube videos.

Quotes

  • “I was in the Navy for 27 years, godly, seven years, 2013 to 2020.”
    Unnamed speaker · 9:09
  • “I would tell them it's a great decision.”
    Unnamed speaker · 47:58
  • “I was like, I got my own money now. I can eat. I was eating pancakes, sushi, burgers, Bahraini food.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:17:31
  • “Yes. You see the YouTube analytics on your phone that?”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:36:00
  • “After spending all my money on what is now Battlebunker, I built an obstacle course out in the desert to film on.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:37:18
  • “Why don't you bring me some ideas and who's going to get the cameras? I was like, I will.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:46:41
  • “I built a obstacle course out in the desert in Moore Park during coronavirus.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:57:14
  • “One of the best feelings ever because I know I will go to these commands and see all these soldiers and sailors training with our gear.”
    Unnamed speaker · 2:06:24
  • Shopify 0:00–0:29
  • Manscaped 14:42–16:05
  • Quo 32:39–33:55
  • Perplexity 50:01–50:41
  • Blueprint 1:06:06–1:07:24
  • Poncho Outdoors 1:24:01–1:25:21
  • Patreon 2:13:52–2:14:07

About this episode

Austen Alexander joins us this week and he has beef with Cody?? Watch this episode ad-free & uncensored on Pepperbox! https://pepperbox.tv/joinunsubscribe WATCH THE AFTERSHOW & BTS ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/UnsubscribePodcast 👕 Merch & Shoes https://bunkerbranding.com/pages/unsubscribe-podcast 🔋 Energy Drinks https://drinkechelon.com P. O BOX: Unsubscribe Podcast 17503 La Cantera Pkwy Ste 104 Box 624 San Antonio TX 78257 ------------------------------ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Thanks to MANSCAPED for sponsoring today’s video! Get The Beard Hedger Plus for 15% OFF + Free Shipping with code “UNSUB” at https://Manscaped.com ! Try QUO for free and get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/UNSUB Start your free trial of Perplexity Computer today at https://PPLX.ai/unsub and experience the next phase of AI. #ad For a limited time only, new customers get 20% off + free shipping at https://blueprint.bryanjohnson.com by using code UNSUB at checkout. #Blueprint #ad Get $10 off your first order at https://ponchooutdoors.com/unsub when you enter your email. ------------------------------ FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS! Unsubscribe Podcast https://www.instagram.com/unsubscribepodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@unsubscribepodcast https://x.com/unsubscribecast Eli Doubletap https://www.instagram.com/eli_doubletap/ https://x.com/Eli_Doubletap https://www.youtube.com/c/EliDoubletap Brandon Herrera https://www.youtube.com/@BrandonHerrera https://x.com/TheAKGuy https://www.instagram.com/realbrandonherrera Donut Operator https://www.youtube.com/@DonutOperator https://x.com/DonutOperator https://www.instagram.com/donutoperator The Fat Electrician https://www.youtube.com/@the_fat_electrician https://thefatelectrician.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_fat_electrician https://www.tiktok.com/@the_fat_electrician ------------------------------ unsubscribe pod podcast episode ep unsub funny comedy military army comedian texas podcasts Chapters: 0:00 Welcome To Unsub! 2:24 How Austen Knows Cody 14:41 Austen’s Experiences In The Navy 54:16 David Goggins 1:03:18 Austen’s Content 1:30:10 Did Cody Bully Austen? 1:33:52 Cody’s Nickelodeon Arc & Our First Cameras 1:43:26 High School Reunions & Small Towns 1:53:05 Austen’s Border Patrol Show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

0:00
2:17:00

24,998 words · 7 speakers

Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

Topics

  • Bahrain
  • YouTube
  • Alabama
  • Priceline
  • Jordan
  • Priceline app
  • Texas
  • El Paso
  • Battlebunker
  • US Board Patrol

Page updated · transcript and summary are machine-generated