In this deeply uplifting episode of No Hair, All Heart, Mookie Spitz sits down with Chaplain Sy Alli, a man who has lived enough lives for ten people: Air Force veteran, pro wrestler, actor, private investigator, global security expert, and now, chaplain and youth mentor. His story, told with raw honesty and humility, is one of collapse, revelation, and rebirth.

Sy’s path was a carousel of careers and reinventions, from the “Chocolate Playboy” in the wrestling ring, a bodyguard in the dot-com era, a corporate security director in the early cannabis industry. But behind the high-octane résumé was a man drowning in depression and alcoholism, spiraling toward suicide. On April 18, 2015, sitting alone in a locked Denver office with a loaded Glock, Sy prepared to end his life. Then something impossible happened: the lights went out, the world froze, and two familiar presences — his late father and father-in-law — appeared beside him. What followed was a divine intervention that replayed the life he would destroy if he pulled the trigger.

That moment changed everything. Sy put down the gun and picked up a Bible. Five years later, he gave up drinking for good, entered seminary, and became a chaplain. His ministry wasn’t confined to pulpits — it found its home in homeless shelters, cancer wards, and public schools. From counseling suicidal veterans in Marina, California, to mentoring at-risk kids in Salinas through the Alevo program, Sy turned his pain into purpose. The same relentless drive that once fueled his career now fuels his mission: to serve, to heal, and to lift others up.

Together, Mookie and Sy trace a spiritual arc from ego to empathy, from chasing fame to chasing meaning. They talk about grace, gratitude, and God’s humor — how a man who once threw Hershey’s Kisses to adoring wrestling fans now spends his days mentoring children of farm workers and guiding veterans out of despair.

Sy’s journey is proof that salvation isn’t a sermon — it’s an act. His life embodies the idea that faith without compassion is empty, and that giving back is the purest expression of belief. This episode is a testament to second chances, divine timing, and the courage it takes to turn your life into a living ministry.

The Guest

Chaplain Sy Alli resides in Carmel California where he is a Site Success Manager with Elevo Learning, and ministers to several Personal Care Homes in Monterey and works with At-Risk Youths. He has a degree in Criminal Justice and is also degreed in Religious Studies and Chaplaincy, and is a father to three adult kids. 

Sy has led many lives: USAF European Powerlifting Champ, Actor, Professional Wrestler, University Lecturer and Dignitary Protection Specialist. His story is of interest to all suffering from mental health challenges. 

His Book

"Out of The Storm" is more than just a personal account, it's a call to action. Through Sy Alli's life story, readers will discover the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of faith, and the transformative power of compassion. This book aims to inspire, motivate, and offer a lifeline to those who may be navigating their own storms.

Get his book on Amazon

His Social Media

https://www.linkedin.com/in/syalli
https://x.com/syalli1
https://www.facebook.com/ChaplainSyAlli

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