From 35 Years to Freedom | Johnny Bartolomeo

John “Johnny Bart” Bartolomeo served nearly 27 years of a 35-year federal sentence after tracking down and killing a rival gang member — a decision that would define the next 10,000 days of his life. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Johnny walks through his upbringing in East Boston, joining the Hells Angels, the violence that led to his arrest, and the reality of serving decades inside some of America’s toughest federal prisons. From Con Air transfers and Leavenworth politics to solitary confinement, COVID lockdowns, paranoia, marriage behind bars, and suicidal thoughts — he shares what it actually takes to survive that long. But this isn’t just a prison story. It’s about what happens when the rage burns out. When the ego collapses. When a man decides to change. Today, Johnny works in recovery, advocates for second chances, and lives by a simple mantra that carried him through 10,000 days inside: “Just hold on for one more day.” Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ: ⁠ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Rho Nutrition: https://rhonutrition.com Code "RIDEOUT" Chapters (00:00) Welcome and Redemption (01:24) Surviving COVID Lockdown (06:29) From East Boston to Hell's Angels (10:22) How He Joined the Club (15:54) The Killing and Manhunt (22:43) Caught by the Feds (25:39) The 35 Year Plea Deal (31:51) No Bail and Pretrial Jail (36:57) Sentencing Speech and Transfers (41:39) Con Air to Leavenworth (42:11) Shackles and Black Box (43:09) Bathroom Break Reality (44:10) Con Air Rules and Marshals (45:07) Panic Attacks in Transit (46:55) Oklahoma City Transfer Shock (49:38) Leavenworth Boston Crew (50:19) Prison Racial Politics (55:08) Leavenworth Daily Tension (56:21) Chow Hall Table Standoff (01:03:23) From Leavenworth to Lows (01:05:53) Cell Move Threat Backfires (01:08:08) Beating the DHO Case (01:10:06) Prison Love and Marriage (01:14:36) Email Kiosks and Furlough Talk (01:15:54) Inmate Van Walkout (01:18:01) Rapport Over Rules (01:18:31) Transfer Furlough Explained (01:20:57) Wife Pickup And Freedom (01:22:29) Paranoia And Prison Politics (01:26:54) Hotel Visits And SHU (01:30:23) First Step Act Breakthrough (01:34:10) Drug Program And Staff Allies (01:39:45) Release And Reentry Support (01:42:04) 27 Straight Brand Origin (01:43:25) Bean Shooter And Social Media (01:45:07) Covering Club Tattoos (01:46:05) Final Message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices