The Strong New York Podcast

This week on the Strong New York Podcast, host Kenny Santucci interviews David Watumull, co-founder and CEO of AX3 Life, a longevity company focused on helping people perform at their best for longer. Dave explains the science behind inflammaging — chronic inflammation linked to aging — and how AX3’s bio-pure astaxanthin is designed to address it at the source.Kenny and Dave discuss why astaxanthin is emerging as a foundational daily nutrient for longevity, supporting cognition, heart health, endurance, recovery, and skin and eye health. Dave also breaks down how it works in the body, the growth of research in this space, and clinical findings related to oxidative stress and LDL.They also explore the history of astaxanthin, the challenges of building awareness in the longevity category, and practical details including dosing, packaging, and pricing. A thoughtful conversation on performance, recovery, and the future of longevity science. 00:00 Podcast intro and guest00:25 First look at astaxanthin00:52 How to take it and feel it01:21 Why the pouch packaging02:16 Cellular benefits explained04:00 Research and safety proof05:45 Origin story and setbacks08:10 Marketing and investor hurdles10:51 Elevator pitch and daily stack13:30 Where it comes from and extraction16:41 Awareness and education challenge19:24 Growth channels and target users24:03 Advocates and NIH lifespan study27:23 Where the brand goes next27:48 Astaxanthin with Omega-3s28:53 LDL and Heart Risk31:03 Inflammation and hsCRP32:00 Origin Story and Mission35:55 Dosing and Expectations37:28 Cost and Value Debate39:34 Bioavailability Comparison40:35 Vision for Mass Adoption42:02 Workout Routine and Community46:05 Skin and Exercise Benefits48:26 NAD and Mitochondria50:11 How to Take It Daily51:09 Travel and Fitness in Hawaii53:32 Wrap Up and Where to Buy

This week on the Strong New York Podcast, Kenny Santucci is joined by comedian, impressionist, actress, and media host Andrea Lopez. Andrea gained national recognition as a semi-finalist on NBC’s Bring The Funny and has built a following of over 700K fans, with her viral Kourtney Kardashian TikTok surpassing 15 million views. She also co-hosts the Big Wigs Podcast.Kenny and Andrea discuss why more comedians are turning to fitness to manage anxiety, depression, and the mental grind of stand-up, as well as the importance of real community and connection in a post-pandemic world. Andrea also shares how her multicultural background and social media presence helped shape her career, her evolving goals from SNL to writing and producing, and what it takes to navigate internet fame.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:28 Comedians and Fitness01:52 Nicole and Community04:55 Pandemic Connection06:29 Roots and Culture10:17 Comedy Dark Side13:00 Fitness Journey and Cities14:34 Mexican Food Debate16:50 Impressions Origin Story20:22 Career Goals and Writing24:25 Comedian Rankings Game29:31 Conspiracies and Comedy32:11 Social Media Hustle33:48 Legos to Content34:29 Vulnerability Sells35:30 Viral Fitness Absurdity37:21 Comedy Grind Stories40:34 Political Correctness45:00 Offense and DMs46:23 Skipping the Super Bowl48:17 NYC Restaurants Rant50:15 Where Else to Live55:38 Sunshine vs Winter56:44 Impressions Showcase01:01:24 Names and Identity01:04:42 Italian Identity Wrap

This week on the Strong New York Podcast, host Kenny Santucci is joined by Daria Berenato — actress, former WWE Champion, MMA fighter, and media host. After a groundbreaking WWE career that included championship success and leadership roles as Raw and SmackDown General Manager, Daria returned to wrestling television with TNA Wrestling on AMC as authority figure The S.U.I.T., Daria Rae. She also serves as an executive partner and commentator with Invicta FC and co-hosts the podcast Unwrapped.Kenny and Daria discuss her journey from a competitive multi-sport athlete in South Jersey to discovering MMA, training at a time when women’s combat sports were far less mainstream, and her experience on Tough Enough, which led to her signing with WWE despite early elimination. She shares lessons learned from other talents in the industry, reflects on leaving WWE after 10 years to pursue acting and producing, and opens up about embracing her sexuality and the support she’s received from the LGBTQ+ community.00:00 Women in Combat Sports00:53 Podcast Intro and Guest01:23 Daria Name Origins02:36 South Jersey Roots03:31 Wild Gyms and Money Talk05:04 Philly Food and Cheesesteaks06:10 Jersey Shore Life and Real Estate10:07 From Team Sports to Fighting11:01 Inspired by Gina Carano12:41 First MMA Gym Initiation14:35 Proving Herself in Tournament16:07 Wrestling Roots16:48 Women Rising18:39 Jiu Jitsu Proof19:23 Divas Revolution20:39 Tough Enough22:10 Money Reality24:17 Raw Debut25:33 Backstage Mentors27:31 Character Evolution28:55 WWE To TNA30:41 Coming Out Story34:48 Fans And Kids36:24 Pump Session Wrap

On this episode of the Strong New York Podcast, Kenny Santucci sits down with NYC-based health coach Hunter Stoler (@healthwithhunter) to unpack why so many people struggle with fitness—often falling into the trap of extremes instead of committing to small, sustainable habits.Hunter opens up about his personal turning point after reaching 227 lbs in college, and the Thanksgiving moment that pushed him to make a lasting change. By mastering the fundamentals—like maintaining a calorie deficit, improving nutrition, and staying consistent—he transformed not just his body, but his energy levels and even healed years of cystic acne.The conversation dives into the importance of patience, accountability, and the role of group fitness, as well as the reality that nutrition fuels fat loss while exercise supports mindset. Hunter also shares practical, no-BS strategies you can implement immediately—from prioritizing protein, fiber, and healthy fats to hitting daily step goals and incorporating resistance training. Plus, he drops some of his favorite healthy NYC food spots and go-to grocery staples.If you’re ready to move past the all-or-nothing mindset and build habits that actually stick, this episode is for you.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:11 Why People Fail at Health03:25 Sustainable Training Mindset05:14 Hunter’s Turning Point07:26 Motivation and Discomfort09:01 Weight Watchers and Food Swaps10:13 Acne and Lifestyle Fixes11:45 Support Systems and Your Circle13:10 Breaking Vices Diet Soda16:55 Fruit Sugar and Cravings18:21 Kenny’s Weight Loss Story22:12 Family Transformation and Exercise23:34 Gym Mindset Shift24:06 Accountability Beats Excuses26:12 Early Mornings No Excuse27:31 Three Tips For Plateaus30:32 Healthy NYC Food Spots33:58 Best Bars And Electrolytes36:55 Alcohol And The 80 20 Rule38:49 Dexa Scan Body Recomp41:05 Self Advocacy And Ownership42:57 Treat Your Body Like Gold44:50 Wrap Up And Where To Follow

This week on the Strong New York Podcast, Kenny sits down with Dr. Jonathan Levine, the visionary founder of Smile House—a groundbreaking, multi-specialty destination focused on dental longevity and aesthetics.Their conversation explores the powerful connection between oral health and overall wellness, from breathing and sleep to inflammation and disease prevention. Dr. Levine explains how factors like jaw structure, nasal breathing, and early childhood development—including breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding—can influence airway health, deep sleep, and long-term disease risk. He also shares why dentistry has historically been slow to adopt a more integrated, whole-body approach.Dr. Levine breaks down Smile House’s innovative “360” model, where multiple specialists collaborate under one roof to deliver hospitality-driven care using advanced imaging, salivary diagnostics, and biomarkers to detect inflammation early. By working closely with physicians, the goal is to move healthcare from a reactive sickness model to proactive, upstream wellness.They also discuss sugar’s impact on both dental and metabolic health, the role of movement and community in longevity, Dr. Levine’s athletic background and team-based leadership philosophy, and his vision for expanding medical-dental integration through additional screenings and shared health data.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:42 Breathing Shapes the Face01:45 Jaw Development and Sleep03:00 Why Dentistry Lags Behind05:28 Smile House 360 Model08:18 Prevention and Subsidies11:53 Oral Health as Longevity Pillar14:01 Sugar and Metabolic Damage18:23 Daily Discipline and Habits19:42 Preventing Dentures and Disease22:12 Kids Mouth Breathing and Breastfeeding26:44 Aesthetics and Personal Responsibility28:02 Sports Mindset and Teamwork31:07 Business Lessons and Community33:42 Health Pros Unite34:52 Bridge Dentistry Medicine36:20 Fitness Routine Longevity37:35 Community Stress Relief41:46 Kindness And Civility45:36 Dream Bigger Values47:47 Building Smile House50:58 Hiring For Attributes53:06 Future DMI Protocols55:15 AI Adoption Timeline58:11 Industry Shifts Private Equity59:09 Final Thanks And Plugsc

In January, The Strong New York Podcast hit the road at the LA Fit Expo, where Kenny connected with Dr. Emily Splichal — functional podiatrist, human movement specialist, and founder of Naboso, a company creating sensory-based tools designed to stimulate the nerves in the feet and enhance movement and performance. Together, they unpack why foot health is foundational to strength, stability, and long-term resilience.Dr. Splichal breaks down the shift from minimal to maximal footwear, addresses lingering misconceptions from the barefoot running era, and explains why shoe selection should be categorical based on the specific activity. She challenges the obsession with hitting 10,000 steps, advocating instead for higher-quality walking and the integration of quick, reactive movements to support fall prevention and longevity. The conversation also explores the body’s interconnected “stacking domes” — detailing how the feet link to the pelvic floor, diaphragm, and even the tongue through fascia — and dives into pelvic floor contraction versus relaxation in pregnancy and Pilates, as well as why women benefit from lifting heavier than they often think.The episode closes with a live foot assessment and practical takeaways, including toe spacers and simple daily recovery strategies you can start immediately. If your goal is to move better, build real strength, and create a body that lasts, this conversation truly starts from the ground up.00:00 Live at LA Fit Expo00:40 Meet Dr Emily and No Boso01:25 The Science of Texture02:39 Minimal vs Maximal Shoes05:45 Running Boom and Hybrid Shoes06:45 Choosing the Right Footwear09:03 Barefoot Training for Pain11:38 Better Steps Not More12:37 Quick Movement for Longevity14:18 Foot to Pelvic Floor Connection16:03 Pregnancy and Pelvic Floor Timing17:35 Pilates Balance and Heavy Lifting20:26 Training Routine Breakdown21:25 Purposeful Movement Mindset22:08 Balance Training Debates22:49 Foot Recovery and Toe Control24:17 Barefoot Training Benefits25:04 Where to Find Dr Emily25:31 Live Foot Assessment28:48 Neutral Foot and Rigid Lever30:20 Feet Pelvic Floor and Glutes31:50 Foot Posture Exercises32:41 Final Wrap and Links

In this episode of the Strong New York Podcast, Kenny takes the show on the road to the LA Fit Expo to sit down with health and wellness legend Mark Sisson.Mark—New York Times bestselling author, former elite endurance athlete, and founder of Primal Kitchen—shares how injuries from running led him to rethink fitness, nutrition, and footwear, ultimately creating the Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen. He breaks down his simple framework for long-term health (diet, walking, lifting, sprinting, and sleep), explains why metabolic flexibility matters, and challenges mainstream nutrition “science.”We also dive into entrepreneurship, lessons learned building iconic brands, and why Mark launched his minimalist footwear company Peluva to address foot health from the ground up.00:00 Live from LA Fit Expo: Welcome & Why Fitness Events Matter00:26 Meet Mark Sisson: Athlete, Entrepreneur & Early Biohacker01:25 From Running Injuries to Evolutionary Biology (and Building a Career)02:17 Primal Kitchen Origin Story: Fixing Diet Through Better Sauces03:33 Facing Rejection: Defending Paleo, Epigenetics & Self-Experimentation05:55 Science, Money & Nutrition Confusion: Why Mark Stays Non-Dogmatic07:29 Try Things, Track Results: Awareness, Experimentation & What You’ll Stick To09:33 Metabolic Flexibility: The Real Goal Behind Any “Best Diet”10:35 80/20 Fitness Basics: Walk More, Lift, Sprint—Then Decide How Far to Go11:43 Born to Walk: Why Most People Shouldn’t Run (Injuries, Form & Catabolism)14:07 Runner’s High Myth & Smarter Training: Cross-Training Over Mileage16:12 VO2 Max vs Real-World Longevity: Build a Strong, Balanced Hybrid Athlete17:19 Whatever Happened to America’s Fitness Culture? Setting Up the Bigger Question17:47 Why We’ve Gotten Softer: Screens, PE, and “Trauma” from Gym Class18:40 Building Big Businesses: Choosing the Right Idea & Betting on Yourself20:18 Purpose Over Profit: Mission-Driven Entrepreneurship (Sauces to Footwear)22:02 Failures That Built the Empire: Pivots, Lessons, and Mark’s Origin Story23:08 3 Business Non-Negotiables: Team, Capital, and Timing (Plus the Keto/Atkins Lesson)25:31 The Simple Health Stack: Diet First, Walk More, Lift & Sprint, Then Sleep26:51 Sprinting Done Right: Intervals, Examples, and Avoiding Injury28:15 When Endurance Backfires: Overtraining, Heart Health, and How Humans Really Moved32:28 Training Smarter at 72 + Where to Find Mark (Wrap-Up)

This week, Kenny sits down with Owen Hanson, founder of California Ice Protein, to share a story that defies expectations.Owen’s journey was anything but traditional. After college, he went from athlete to building an international illegal gambling and drug trafficking operation that spanned continents—before watching it all collapse. Federal prison stripped away the power and the illusion, forcing him to confront every mistake and rebuild from the ground up.In this episode, Owen opens up about his path from college sports to working with a major Mexican cartel, his time behind bars, and how he ultimately turned his life around. Today, Owen Hanson’s story is one of accountability, resilience, and redemption—proving that no matter how far someone falls, it’s always possible to rise again.00:00 Welcome + Guest Intro (Cocaine Quarterback to Fitness & Protein)00:49 From USC Network to Illegal Sports Betting Bookie01:38 When Betting Goes Mainstream: Legalization & Prison-Time Irony03:08 First Days in Federal Prison: Fear, Violence & PTSD Triggers05:18 Prison Politics: Race Cars, Gangs, and Surviving the Yard06:53 How Ambition Led to the Cartel: International Bets & Money Laundering08:03 $10M Cash Stash in Australia: Paranoia and the Million-a-Day Pitch09:57 Losing $3.2M and Meeting the ‘Boss of Bosses’ in Mexico11:48 Smuggling Innovation: Wine Bottles, Everclear, and Chocolate Pallets15:41 Life Inside: Routine, Workouts, Cellmates, and Prison Economics20:56 The California Ice Origin Story: Protein Shake Freezes into ‘Ice Cream’24:19 Prison Ice Cream Hustle: Rock Salt, Shake-to-Freeze & Super Bowl Payday25:14 From Halfway House to Big Idea: Launching a Protein Ice Cream Brand26:19 Frozen Logistics Reality Check: Shipping Ice Cream vs. Shipping Coke27:45 Fit Expo Momentum & Brand Aesthetic: Building Hype in the Gym Scene28:18 Finding a Co-Packer After 8 Rejections (and Using the Book as Proof)29:49 R&D Grind: Perfecting the All-Natural Formula (Greek Yogurt, Monk Fruit, No Added Sugar)30:35 Family, Sentence Shock & the “Cocaine Quarterback” Name Explained34:08 Athlete to Cartel to Comeback: Resilience, Mindset Tricks & the Docuseries Tease37:13 Business Numbers & Product Roadmap: $10M Valuation, New Flavors, Non-Dairy & Collabs42:04 Closing Message: Helping At-Risk Kids, Inner Circle Support & Where to Find the Brand