The Audacity of Leadership with Anton Gunn (Part 1 of 2)
- Tosca DiMatteo
- Aug 21
- 3 min read
Have you ever reached a point where your plans fell apart and wondered if maybe, just maybe, those setbacks were life's way of preparing you for something greater?
That’s the kind of crossroads Anton Gunn faced, and in episode 67 of The Unlock Lab, we go deep into the story behind his celebrated career. Anton is known for advising President Barack Obama, authoring bestselling books, and leading conversations on socially conscious leadership across the world. But long before the accolades, was struggle, hopelessness, vulnerability, and dreams that never came true.
When Dreams Derail: High School Football Superstar to College Football Disappointments to Rock Bottom
Anton’s journey began with the dream of teaching high school history and coaching basketball. If we're really honest, maybe even aspirations of the NFL. Inspired by his family and teachers, he chose to play SEC football at the University of South Carolina. What awaited him, though, was an environment that undermined his confidence and put mildly, disrespect from those who should have been lifting him up. Instead of thriving, Anton spent his college years trying to survive; speeding through his degree to get out of there as soon as possible.
The struggle didn’t end at graduation. Job applications went unanswered and career doors stayed closed because his football program never allowed for any internship or work experience. A promising student-athlete was suddenly unemployed, moving back into his childhood room, and piecing together odd jobs to keep afloat. Far from the spotlight, Anton was living through what he would later call his darkest valley; nights spent worrying about the future and questioning his own worth.
The Turning Point: A Mentor That Changed Everything
The story could have stalled there, but Anton’s trajectory shifted thanks to an act of generosity. A fraternity brother witnessing Anton’s struggle reached out with tough love and practical support. Sometimes, what we need most is an outside perspective, and the reminder that we have untapped strengths even when we feel stuck.
With encouragement and a newfound determination, Anton took a leap of faith and drove through the night for a job interview that he wasn’t sure he’d get. That single act of openness, that willingness to say yes to opportunity rather than blocking his own blessing, set his career on an entirely new path.
Lessons in Agency, Adaptability, and Service
Throughout his life, Anton has embodied the principle of focusing on what can be controlled, rather than being paralyzed by that which he couldn't. Even as his career grew and accolades accumulated, those earlier experiences of powerlessness remained a guiding force. They taught him humility, the importance of service, and the value of being useful to others, no matter his personal struggles or successes.
Growing up with a military father, in an unfair world, Anton was indoctrinated into the belief that you do whatever it takes, and use whatever resources you can to keep on going. In his story teaches us to accept support, embracing change, step into uncertainty, and to see what there is to learn learn from each challenge along the way.
Resilience Is Your Advantage
So many of us encounter periods where it seems like nothing is working and where doors are closing faster than we can knock on them. Anton Gunn’s story is proof that these are not the end of the road, but sometimes the beginning of a much more meaningful journey. Accepting help, being willing to pivot, and focusing on where you can truly add value; these are the qualities that transform adversity into purpose.
If you’ve ever wondered what might lie on the other side of a setback, or questioned if your valley moments have meaning, Anton’s journey offers both reassurance and practical wisdom. The path to authentic leadership is rarely a straight line. Sometimes, it’s the detours, the forced pauses, the re-evaluations, the times we must rely on others, that teach us more than any planned step ever could.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this conversation, where Anton recounts how these early lessons propelled him into the rooms where big decisions are made, and how he continues to practice leadership that’s grounded in humility and being useful.
Tune in to hear about Anton in his own words.
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This episode is sponsored by Human Design by Holly.
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