Show Notes
Born and raised near Chicago, Illinois, Mel Chancey grew up in a Catholic household, even serving as an altar boy. But early in life, he found identity and belonging in motorcycle club culture. What began as camaraderie evolved into full immersion in the outlaw biker world. He became part of the Hell’s Henchmen before the club patched over to the Hells Angels, quickly rising through the ranks due to his intensity, loyalty, and commanding leadership presence. At a young age, he was serving as a chapter president. In that world, brotherhood was everything. Life revolved around respect, territory, and reputation. Mel has spoken openly about the violent rivalries, bombings, turf wars, and constant hyper-vigilance required to survive. The bombing of their Chicago clubhouse marked a turning point, escalating tensions and deepening the cost of leadership. Power, ego, loyalty, and fear blurred moral lines — and carrying the weight of that conflict came with consequences. Eventually, Mel was arrested in a federal case tied to club activity and served years in prison under RICO-related charges. Prison became the defining turning point of his life. Stripped of his title, patch, and status, he describes hitting rock bottom in a quiet cell where self-examination became unavoidable. It was there that he returned to his Christian faith — praying, reading Scripture, and experiencing what he calls a true spiritual awakening. The identity once rooted in reputation and intimidation was replaced with surrender, humility, and conviction. Walking away from that life was not simple. It meant losing brotherhood, history, and everything familiar. Mel emphasizes that leaving was the hardest decision he ever made — and the strongest one. Today, he is a motivational speaker focused on faith, redemption, masculinity, and discipline. He is active in the bodybuilding community, affiliated with organizations such as IFBB and NPC, using physical training as a metaphor for rebuilding life through structure and accountability. As Managing Partner at Core Medical Group, he works in health and wellness, specializing in hormone optimization and holistic performance. Now a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Mel Chancey is committed to building legacy instead of reputation — living proof that transformation is possible and that second chances can redefine a life. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Ready to upgrade your eyewear? Check them out at https://roka.com and use code SRS for 20% off sitewide. Face the decisions our founders grappled with in Revolutionary America, a Hillsdale Studios film. Only in theatres May 31 - June 2. Get your tickets now by going to https://hillsdale.edu/revolution Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/14ipql92 #CashAppPod As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. Get 30% off your first subscription order of ARMRA Colostrum at https://armra.com/srs or enter code SRS at checkout. BetterHelp is now accepting insurance in many states with average copays around $23—fill out the questionnaire and check your coverage today at https://betterhelp.com/SRS. #ad Mel Chancey Links: IG - https://www.instagram.com/melchancey316 IG - https://www.instagram.com/john316devotionalteam IG - https://www.instagram.com/chanceyfitness WEB - www.chanceyfitness.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from The Shawn Ryan Show
Lt. Col. James Lechner (Ret.) is a 27-year U.S. Army veteran and former Army Ranger whose deployments span Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. As a young Ranger officer, he fought with Task Force Ranger in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, where he was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart. He later served as deputy brigade commander during the Battle of Ramadi and held assignments with SOCOM and the CIA. Most recently, Lechner traveled to Ukraine—first as a war correspondent and later training and advising Ukrainian forces, including service with the International Legion. Today, he works in the drone and counter-drone defense space, serves as an adjunct professor of American and Military History at Liberty University, and is the author of With My Shield. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier - https://theglacierapp.com Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/SRS. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Trustpilot rating as of 8/1/2026. Go to https://calderalab.com/SRS and use code SRS for 20% off your first order. Make the switch to Sundays for Dogs and get 50% off your first order at https://sundaysfordogs.com/SRS50 or use code SRS50 at checkout. Get started with Claude at https://claude.ai/srs Visit https://betterhelp.com/srs #ad James Lechner Links: Book: With My Shield - https://a.co/d/06aHhXRe Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/James.lechner Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/james.lechner.2025 X - https://x.com/Lechner_jim Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wynonna Judd is a five-time Grammy Award-winning country artist who rose to fame alongside her mother, Naomi, as The Judds, one of the most successful duos in country music history. After The Judds ended their original run, Wynonna launched a major solo career while navigating family challenges, personal loss, and the death of her mother in 2022. Now, more than four decades into her career, she is entering a new chapter with her upcoming album, The Hard Truth, out now. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier today - https://theglacierapp.com Buy American at https://SnakestaffSystems.com and now on Amazon. Tell your family and friends. Go to https://helixsleep.com/SRS for 20% off site wide and enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! Try ZipRecruiter for free at https://ziprecruiter.com/SRS to save time and meet great candidates sooner. Try Gusto today at https://gusto.com/SRS and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Wynonna Judd Links: Tour Dates - https://www.wynonna.com/tour Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wynonnajudd Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wynonnajudd X - https://x.com/Wynonna Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxtzJkaJAbvEX52EaLMKicw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dusty Slay is a stand-up comedian known for his Southern, working-class observational humor and is currently touring nationwide on his Neighborhood Guy Tour. Raised in a trailer park in Opelika, Alabama, he went from working regular jobs to appearances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central, and Netflix. He is also a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry and the author of We’re Having a Good Time: And Other Stories. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. Its Protection. - https://theglacierapp.com For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com Don’t sleep on [@ultrapouches]. New customers get 15% Off with code SRS at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off with promo code SRS at https://shopmando.com! #mandopod Upgrade your eyewear at https://roka.com and use code SRS for 20% off sitewide at checkout. Dusty Slay Links: Purchase We're Having a Good Time: (And Other Stories...) Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1668087669?tag=simonsayscom Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/were-having-a-good-time-dusty-slay/1149525866?ean=9781668087664 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dustyslaycomedy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dustyslay X - https://x.com/dustyslay TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@dustyslay Website - www.dustyslay.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jimmy Watson is a former Marine, Blackwater contractor, Navy SEAL, and former head of security, CEO, and close confidant to John McAfee. He joined McAfee’s inner circle in 2017 and experienced firsthand the legal turmoil, paranoia, and instability surrounding him. After leaving that world and battling addiction and personal loss, Watson returned to his Christian faith and now speaks about faith, purpose, and helping others out of destructive cycles. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier - https://srs.site/glacierapp Ready to upgrade your life? Head to bubsnaturals.com/srs and use code SHAWN for 20% off Get $10 off your first order at https://ponchooutdoors.com/shawnryan when you enter your email. One thing to pack, five ways to power! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code SRS at https://www.Ridge.com/SRS #Ridgepod Jimmy Watson Links: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/MightyWarrior282 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MightyWarrior282/videos Book - https://a.co/d/0jgr1NJP Mighty Warrior Performance - https://mightywarriorperformance.com Linktree - https://linktr.ee/Mightywarrior282 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mike Jones, also known as Garand Thumb, is a U.S. Air Force veteran, firearms instructor, and one of the most recognizable voices in the firearms and tactical community. Through his platform, he tests weapons and gear, breaks down tactics and training, and explores survival, preparedness, and what it takes to operate in extreme environments. Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier - https://srs.site/glacierapp Website - https://theglacierapp.com Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Head to https://superpower.com/srs for $50 off your membership. Get 150+ biomarkers tested, a personalized health plan and on-demand care team. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod Get 50% off your first order of human-grade dog food at https://sundaysfordogs.com/SRS50 or use code SRS50 at checkout. Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at https://hexclad.com/SRS! #hexcladpartner Free trial at https://shopify.com/srs Don’t sleep on [@ultrapouches]. New customers get 15% Off with code SRS at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Michael Jones Links: Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/garandthumb Instagram - instagram.com/garand_thumb Facebook - facebook.com/garandthumb1 X - https://x.com/GarandThumb1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.