Andy Frisella

Frisella describes growing up in Missouri, disliking classroom study while enjoying sports and competition. He credits his father with shaping his work ethic and persistence.⁠[1]

According to his company history, he and high-school friend Chris Klein were attending Southwest Missouri State University when they opened Supplement Superstores in Springfield in 1999. Short of funds, they lived behind the store and approached local customers directly.⁠[2]

The company history records the acquisition of four St. Louis stores and a second Springfield opening that month, increasing the chain from one location to six. Frisella moved to St. Louis to oversee the expansion.⁠[2]

The 1st Phorm website dates its founding to 2009. Frisella describes co-founding it with Chris Klein following their supplement-retail experience. Its products include protein powders and other nutritional supplements.⁠[3][1]

The MFCEO Project debuted with The Power of Perspective, co-hosted by Vaughn Kohler. Frisella recounted recovering from a knife attack and used the experience to discuss adversity and entrepreneurial mindset.⁠[4]

Frisella and Ed Mylett announced Arete Syndicate, a membership community for entrepreneurs offering networking, mentorship and in-person events around business development and personal goals.⁠[5]

He introduced the 75-day 75 HARD program on his podcast, presenting it as a way to develop mental toughness and discipline and discussing inspiration from endurance athlete James Lawrence. The show notes describe restarting after breaking a commitment.⁠[6]

Real AF released its first episode, Welcome to Reality. The official description identifies it as identical to The MFCEO Project’s final episode, number 318, The End, marking the transition between the shows.⁠[7]

The FDA wrote to then-CEO Andrew Frisella concerning disease-treatment claims on Whole Heart and Full-Mega webpages, raising unapproved-new-drug and misbranding issues. The letter addressed company products and marketing.⁠[8]

The FDA said its evaluation indicated that the cited violations appeared to have been addressed. It emphasized continuing compliance and possible future inspection or enforcement. The letter did not endorse all company products.⁠[9]

He appeared on The Ed Mylett Show to discuss The Book on Mental Toughness. Its official description says it incorporates the original 75 HARD book with additional material on mental toughness and everyday practice.⁠[10][11]

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that his Real AF remarks opposing female police officers and invoking violence drew condemnation. City and county police announced they would cut ties with his fitness businesses and donations. He subsequently apologized, expressing regret and saying he removed the remarks to avoid normalizing such treatment of police.⁠[12]

Anheuser-Busch announced the U.S. launch of Phorm Energy through its collaboration with 1st Phorm and Dana WhiteDana WhiteDana White is an American sports executive and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the mixed martial arts promotion UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). In 2001 he and the Fertitta brothers bought the near-bankrupt UFC for $2 million, and the reality show The Ultimate Fighter brought the sport into the mainstream; the UFC was sold in 2016 for about $4 billion and became part of TKO Group Holdings in 2023. He is also a longtime supporter of Donald Trump and has been a director of Meta since late 2024.Open the full entry. Sal Frisella spoke as 1st Phorm’s CEO in the announcement; this was a company development.⁠[13]

School of Hard Knocks released an approximately 68-minute interview covering his early business years, 75 HARD, customer experience and company culture. Its billion-dollar-portfolio headline was promotional language, not an independently verified personal net-worth assessment.⁠[14]

The program requires two daily 45-minute workouts, a diet plan, water intake, reading and progress photographs. Cleveland Clinic psychologist Matthew Sacco noted that strict restart rules can undermine beginners’ motivation, emphasizing flexibility when developing habits. This assessment differs from the creator’s promotional aims.⁠[15]

He also created the Otis & Charley’s Hardworking Tails children’s series. Its seven-book collection includes Otis and Charley Play to Win and Charley the Bulldog’s Fantastic Fruit Stand, presenting themes of habits, effort and goals through stories.⁠[16]

His wife is Emily Frisella. In a School of Hard Knocks short interview, he emphasized pursuing opportunities, recalled introducing his store door to door, and argued that demonstrable skills and results help build business relationships.⁠[1][17]

He is a co-founder of 1st Phorm; its current website lists Sal Frisella as CEO. His website is https://andyfrisella.com/ (opens in a new window). Public accounts include Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/andyfrisella (opens in a new window); Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/andrewjfrisella (opens in a new window); and X, https://x.com/AndrewFrisella (opens in a new window).⁠[18][1]