Playing Small Destroys Your Future (2026 Wake Up Call) with Kenny Santucci

Jan 12, 2026

Kenny Santucci, founder of Strong New York and The Strength Club, shares his journey as a coach and community builder. He emphasizes how health acts as a force multiplier in life, discussing the dangers of overcommitting and the value of honest feedback. Kenny also delves into his transition from trainer to problem-solver, the importance of prioritization, and the power of exercise as a primary intervention. Additionally, they explore genetics' role in shaping choices and the significance of building strong community connections.

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ANECDOTE

Kicked Out To Learn A Hard Lesson

Kenny recounts being embarrassed and kicked out of a seminar for arriving late due to family duties.
That confrontation made him hire the coach and stop overcommitting to perform at his best.

ADVICE

Neutralize Emotions To Act Objectively

Neutralize emotional charge around events to make objective decisions.
Use neutral thinking to avoid chasing pleasure or avoiding hard tasks, as Ben recommends.

ADVICE

Pick One Direction And Double Down

Clarify your vision and pick a single direction to focus energy and make choices easier.
Ben and Kenny both recommend narrowing options to accelerate progress and attract the right people.

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The proven system 1000+ men use to stay lean, strong, clear, and capable. https://www.muscleintelligence.com/apply/ If you're interested in working with Ben. ben@muscleintelligence.com Join 200,000 men in their prime, reading our weekly newsletter: http://muscleintelligence.com/newsletter In this episode, Ben sits down with Kenny Santucci, founder of Strong New York, to talk about what actually moves the needle in health, confidence, and life direction. They get into why "health is the one thing that upgrades everything," how overcommitting quietly destroys performance, and why the right coach tells you the truth, even when it stings. Kenny shares his mindset on building value, earning respect, and creating a life you don't want to escape from. They also touch on TRT, longevity examples that'll reframe your standards, and how genetics can explain behaviors like cravings, stress, and food choices.

5 Bullet Points:

Health is the ultimate force multiplier
Overcommitting ruins performance fast
Be so good they can't ignore you
Direction beats endless options
Genetics guide choices, not destiny

The proven system 1000+ men use to stay lean, strong, clear, and capable. https://www.muscleintelligence.com/apply/

If you're interested in working with Ben. ben@muscleintelligence.com

Join 200,000 men in their prime, reading our weekly newsletter: http://muscleintelligence.com/newsletter

About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes.With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what's possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.

About Kenny Santucci Kenny Santucci is the founder of Strong New York and The Strength Club, a coach and community builder who's spent 15+ years "in the trenches" training real people, not just talking theory. Known for his no-fluff, execution-first approach, Kenny helps everyday New Yorkers and high performers build strength, confidence, and resilience through consistent training and better decisions. He also hosts the Strong New York Podcast and runs the Strong New York event, bringing together top coaches, brands, and everyday athletes to make fitness a culture, not a trend. Kenny's message is simple: get stronger, build value, and live a bigger life.

Time Stamps: 00:00 The Importance of Health 03:51 Overcoming Self-Doubt 07:57 Neutral Thinking and Emotional Balance 10:46 Building Value and Authenticity 25:08 The Power of Collaboration 28:48 Curating Events for Beginners 29:52 The Power of Community and Inspiration 31:01 Building a Successful Fitness Event 34:09 Highlighting Key Speakers 36:13 The Importance of Friendships and Networking 38:48 The Value of Expertise and Experience 53:06 The Role of Direction and Focus 57:36 The Importance of Self-Image 58:52 Client Success Story: Transforming Lives 01:01:40 The Power of Exercise and Movement 01:02:22 Exploring the Benefits of Testosterone and Peptides 01:09:15 Genetics and Longevity 01:16:24 Building a Fitness Brand 01:22:24 Strong New York: Vision and Goals