The Pitch Tape That Got David Chokachi Cast in Baywatch 2026

This episode is brought to you by NOCD — providing effective, virtual OCD therapy with licensed specialists. If you or someone you know is struggling, check out https://www.treatmyocd.com David Chokachi joins the Punk Rock Sober Podcast to share one of the most powerful comeback stories you’ll hear this year. After a devastating injury led to 3 years of depression, David rebuilt himself mentally, physically, and spiritually—using discipline, mindset, and unconventional tools inspired by voices like Andrew Huberman and Jocko Willink. Then something wild happened… He manifested his return to Baywatch—refusing to take “no” for an answer and creating his own pitch that ultimately landed him back in the franchise. This episode dives deep into: Overcoming depression and isolation Discipline, early mornings, and “micro wins” The mindset shift that changed everything The Baywatch reboot and how he fought his way into it Aging, fitness, and peaking later in life Mental toughness, resilience, and purpose If you’ve ever felt stuck, behind, or counted out—this one hits. 00:00 – Punk Rock Sober Intro 00:01 – David Chokachi’s comeback story begins 00:03 – The Baywatch reboot & his “Rocky moment” 00:05 – What the new Baywatch actually is (not a reboot) 00:07 – Getting rejected… then refusing to accept it 00:10 – Creating the pitch video that changed everything 00:11 – “I’m in better shape now than I was at 24” 00:12 – 3 years of depression after injury 00:13 – Huberman, Jocko & building a new mindset 00:14 – Waking up at 3:30am & stacking “micro wins” 00:16 – Discipline, routine & productivity obsession 00:20 – “Morning water,” supplements & performance hacks 00:23 – The pitch tape that landed Baywatch 00:25 – Why you can’t take “no” in Hollywood 00:26 – Competing with actors worldwide 00:30 – Getting the role & walking into the writers room 00:32 – The power of suffering & transformation 00:34 – “Be the penguin” mindset (separating from the herd) 00:38 – Sleep, productivity & breaking conventional rules 00:39 – Veterans, PTSD & Ibogaine treatment 00:42 – Sunrise routines & mental recovery 00:44 – Injury, surgery & rebuilding from zero 00:48 – Let’s talk Baywatch cast & set life