Antonio Sabato Jr.23 September 2025

Episode 487: Antonio Sabato Jr.: From Teen Heartthrob to Boxing at 53 (And Why He Was Blacklisted from Hollywood)

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Explainer· 3

Explainer38:00

Why Simulator Reps Matter So Much in Modern Formula One

Sabato argues that simulation is central to modern Formula One preparation. He points to Max Verstappen returning to simulated racing after real events and describes building track recognition through repeated virtual laps on circuits around the world.

Simulation allows repeated practice across real-world circuits.
Sabato attributes part of Verstappen's edge to unusually high simulator volume.
Virtual repetitions can develop track and corner recognition.
He treats simulation as daily racing practice rather than entertainment.

“I've raced in every single racetrack around the world a thousand times. I've done 24-hour lemon in a simulator a thousand times.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 38:30

“I'm in a simulator every single day. Like, I am racing whether I'm I'm on the games or the simulation things that I have. I'm…”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 43:00

#formula one#simulation#practice

Explainer46:00

The Driver-Engineer Feedback Loop That Can Decide an F1 Race

A fast driver is only part of an Formula One package, Sabato explains. The driver must communicate precise handling information to engineers, who translate it into tiny setup and aerodynamic changes that can determine whether the team gains or loses critical fractions of a second.

Driver skill and engineering quality work as a combined system.
Accurate feedback helps engineers choose the right setup changes.
Small technical adjustments can decide race position.
Sabato cites Schumacher and Verstappen as strong technical communicators.

“that information as a driver has to be established and communicated to the engineer and the rest of the team accurately per perfectly”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 46:30

“you change a little things you're going to lose the race or you're going to win the race.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 47:00

#formula one#feedback#teamwork

Explainer53:30

How Sabato Changes His Training for a Nine-Week Boxing Camp

Sabato distinguishes his normal home routine from the demands of boxing camp. At home he combines cardio, bag work, and high-repetition full-body weights; in camp he removes weights and concentrates four straight hours on sparring, movement, bags, mitts, and boxing-specific conditioning six days a week.

His home routine includes cardio, bag work, and full-body weights.
Camp runs from 6 to 10 each morning, six days a week.
He removes weights during camp to stay loose and boxing-specific.
Sparring and ring work require a weekly recovery day.

“Camp is six days a week and it's 4 hours.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 1:19:30

“Everything is nimble and loose. I haven't done weights in six months.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 1:20:30

#boxing#training#fitness

Story· 5

Story10:00

How a Messenger Job Led to Janet Jackson and General Hospital

Sabato describes leaving school, pursuing acting, and working as a messenger who delivered scripts around Los Angeles. Conversations made during that job led to a commercial agent, the Janet Jackson video audition, and eventually General Hospital after an initial rejection.

He came to the United States from Italy and pursued acting from a young age.
His messenger job put him in contact with people in the entertainment business.
A commercial agent sent him to the Janet Jackson audition.
He did not get General Hospital on his first attempt.

“I used to deliver scripts all over town and that's how I got my commercial agent because I walked in and and I started talking…”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 13:30

“I went for General Hospital the first time I didn't get it.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 13:30

#acting#career#hollywood

Story14:30

The 3 A.M. Routine Behind Sabato's General Hospital Breakthrough

While working steadily on General Hospital, Sabato brought an acting coach with him and boxed before arriving on set. He says he treated soap acting with the same seriousness as film or television and sought opportunities beyond the usual soap-opera lane.

He worked with an acting coach during his General Hospital run.
He boxed before early calls at the studio.
He refused to treat soap acting as a lesser craft.
He deliberately sought crossover exposure outside soap media.

“I got a an acting coach to come with me every day on General Hospital. I started boxing with my trainer, Chris Steel, at the…”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 14:30

“I take it serious no matter what.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 18:30

#work ethic#acting#career

Story21:30

From Hollywood Blacklisting to Construction Work in Florida

Sabato says his public political support and congressional run led his representatives to drop him and made Hollywood work unavailable. He moved to Florida, worked in concrete-pumping management, sold possessions, and reframed the period as a test of integrity and responsibility to his family.

He says managers and agents dropped him within 24 hours.
He moved to Florida when entertainment work disappeared.
He worked in construction to support his family.
He says the losses clarified his relationships and strengthened his commitment.

“All my managers and and agents and commercial agents all dropped me over 24 hours and I was called the worst names and I was…”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 23:00

“I put the tail between my legs, my pride, and I had to do what I had to do to take care of my family.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 23:30

#comeback#resilience#career

Story1:01:30

The Seizure That Forced Sabato to Confront Addiction

Sabato speaks openly about becoming addicted to painkillers and sleeping pills while unhappy and using sleep to cope. When the pills became unavailable, he experienced a seizure, called his mother, and entered a 30-day treatment programme where he had no phone and focused on recovery, spirituality, and family.

He says painkillers and sleeping pills became a way to cope with unhappiness.
He continued working while living what he describes as two separate worlds.
Withdrawal and a seizure became his rock-bottom event.
He chose a treatment setting focused on intensive recovery work.

“I got addicted to uh to painkillers and I got addicted to sleeping pills.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 1:01:30

“when that drug in my life was not available to me that I couldn't get it uh my body went into a seizure.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 1:04:30

#addiction#recovery#mental health

Story1:30:30

Why Sabato Chose a Real Boxing Match at 53

Sabato says the Philadelphia fight is driven more by pride, challenge, and a comeback narrative than by the purse. After other celebrities and retired fighters declined, he accepted an opponent ten years younger and views the event as a way to model ambitious action for people watching him.

He says the fight is not primarily a money decision.
The opponent is ten years younger than Sabato.
He frames the bout as part of his comeback story.
He believes taking visible risks encourages others to try difficult activities.

“I'm not doing it for the money. I'm doing it for the pride. And I'm doing it because nobody else is doing it. And I…”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 1:30:30

“the risk the risk also will bring you the reward.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 1:32:30

#boxing#comeback#risk

Takeaway· 3

Takeaway29:30

Why Sabato Starts New Sports Long After the Conventional Age

Sabato rejects the idea that a sport must begin at the culturally expected age. He started gymnastics in his thirties, pursued racing, and entered boxing competition at 53, using each challenge to test his own limits rather than prove himself to other people.

He began gymnastics in his thirties and trained for ten years.
He learned backflips and handsprings as an adult.
He frames age limits as assumptions rather than automatic barriers.
His stated standard is self-testing, not outside approval.

“Yeah. backhand spring and everything. Yeah. And a double flip and everything. Yeah. All of it.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 30:30

“I have nothing to prove to the world but to myself.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 33:00

#aging#challenge#sports

Takeaway1:03:00

Sabato's Message: Recovery Matters More Than Hiding Mistakes

Sabato does not frame recovery around counting clean days; he says remaining clean is a settled commitment to his children. He shares his experience so others do not treat mistakes as permanent identity and emphasizes learning, returning stronger, and recognizing that some friends did not survive relapse.

He describes recovery as a lifelong condition rather than a finished event.
His children are a central reason for his commitment to stay clean.
He argues that mistakes should be acknowledged rather than hidden.
He contrasts recovery with the irreversible loss of friends who died.

“you shouldn't be afraid for the mistakes you make. We all make mistakes. It's how you recover and how you come back stronger the next…”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 1:03:30

“I had this so many second chances to say, you know what? I'm so blessed with everything that I have.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 1:04:00

#recovery#resilience#family

Takeaway1:14:30

How Sabato Learned by Listening Around Highly Successful People

Sabato says proximity to accomplished people only became useful because he listened closely instead of treating the interaction casually. He recalls paying attention to Madonna's business conversations, fitness discipline, and focus, then carrying lessons from those observations into his own life.

Access alone does not produce learning.
He paid attention to both spoken advice and observed behaviour.
Madonna's calm handling of major contracts fascinated him.
He says successful people noticed that he was genuinely listening.

“I remember having conversations about business and how do you manipulate the money, you know, you know, she was on the phone talking about multi-million…”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 1:14:30

“I'm always like listening and paying attention. I'm dedicated to the time that we have.”
Antonio Sabato Jr. · 1:16:30

#listening#learning#mentorship