Stronger with Don Saladino - Episode: Kenny Santucci | Success Isn't About Money - It's About Who You Become
Release Date: August 12, 2025
In this compelling episode of Stronger with Don Saladino, Don sits down with Kenny Santucci, one of New York City's top fitness trainers and the visionary founder of the annual fitness event, Strong New York. The conversation delves deep into Kenny's philosophy on success, his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of relationships, and his unwavering commitment to personal growth and community building.
Introduction: Redefining Success
The episode kicks off with Kenny Santucci sharing his personal definition of success, emphasizing respect and admiration over financial gains.
“Success, to me, wasn't money. It was being respected by the people that I admire.”
— Kenny Santucci [00:06]
This perspective sets the tone for the entire discussion, highlighting a values-driven approach to both personal and professional life.
Kenny's Journey in the Fitness Industry
Don Saladino introduces Kenny as a seasoned fitness coach with a stellar reputation, having trained A-list celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Anne Hathaway. Kenny is also the mastermind behind Strong New York, an event that transcends traditional fitness by focusing on mindset, nutrition, and community.
“Strong New York is not just about lifting weights. It's about mindset, it's about nutrition, it's about people.”
— Don Saladino [02:59]
Kenny elaborates on the evolution of Strong New York, sharing insights into how the event has grown over the years and the challenges faced in scaling it alongside managing multiple gyms.
“I keep telling people, if you could get in the same rooms as the people you admire and they respect you, that's the game changer.”
— Kenny Santucci [00:28]
Balancing Passion and Business
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the delicate balance between passion projects and the financial realities of running a business. Kenny emphasizes that his ventures, including his gyms and events, started as passion projects with minimal focus on profitability.
“It was never about the money. I was going to pour my heart into all these things because I live in the greatest city in the world. How do we not have an event like this in here?”
— Kenny Santucci [04:03]
Don echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of building equity and trust over seeking immediate financial returns.
“To build something like that and just break even, that's like the ultimate goal out of the gate.”
— Don Saladino [04:18]
Commitment and Sacrifice
Kenny shares personal anecdotes illustrating his dedication, including sacrificing personal relationships and leisure time to ensure the success of his businesses.
“I have no life, but I love it. It's a sickness because it's the best and worst thing.”
— Kenny Santucci [04:40]
This relentless commitment underscores the theme that true success often requires immense personal sacrifice and unwavering dedication.
From Acting to Fitness: Finding True Passion
Kenny's early aspirations included a foray into acting, attending the UCB (University of California, Berkeley) improv school and even taking acting classes. However, a pivotal moment led him to pivot towards fitness.
“I walked out [of acting classes] and I'm like, at least I tried it. And when I walked back into my gym, this feels like home.”
— Kenny Santucci [12:00]
Don relates to this journey, emphasizing the importance of following one's passion even when it diverges from initial plans.
“If you want to get involved in something because it feels right... There's no guarantee you're going to make a billion dollars.”
— Don Saladino [13:02]
Building and Nurturing Relationships
A cornerstone of Kenny's success is his focus on building genuine relationships, both within his community and with business partners. He shares a story about collaborating with a local juice shop owner to enhance both their businesses mutually.
“Now I have a giant flag... It's a representation of everything that you've done.”
— Kenny Santucci [23:00]
Don emphasizes the value of selflessness in business, pointing out how Kenny’s unselfish acts have led to lasting partnerships and community support.
“You gave value and you did something very unselfish. Now you have an advocate.”
— Don Saladino [23:34]
Overcoming Adversity and Staying Resilient
Kenny draws parallels between his journey and that of other successful individuals like David Goggins, highlighting the importance of self-motivation and resilience.
“When you start doing well in life, take a little bit off and recognize that you need to keep pushing.”
— Kenny Santucci [16:13]
Don supports this by sharing his own experiences, reinforcing the idea that consistent, incremental progress is key to long-term success.
“Keep hitting those singles and doubles and manufacturing. And then things start compiling.”
— Don Saladino [28:31]
Community Building: Online and In-Person
During a caller segment, Kenny offers valuable advice on building an engaged and connected community both online and offline. He underscores the importance of quality over quantity and emphasizes genuine care for community members' success.
“If you have five people or even three people, it doesn't matter. Add as much value to those three people and then those three people will be your marketing tool to get more people.”
— Kenny Santucci [34:27]
Don adds that personal interaction and providing significant value create lasting impacts, regardless of the platform.
“Focus on changing their lives. That's the one thing that Kenny and I, there's a lot that we agree on.”
— Don Saladino [38:20]
Personal Growth and Authenticity
The conversation also touches on the role of personal growth and authenticity in leadership and business success. Kenny discusses his drive to help others become better versions of themselves, which in turn elevates his own status and influence.
“I want people to look at me and see a part of themselves in what they want to build.”
— Kenny Santucci [39:17]
Don concurs, highlighting how authentic connections and leading by example are crucial for building a reputable and influential business.
“You are your business card. You have to lead by example.”
— Don Saladino [40:07]
Closing Thoughts: Embracing the Journey
As the episode wraps up, both Don and Kenny reflect on their shared values and experiences, reinforcing the episode's central theme: true success is about personal growth, meaningful relationships, and the relentless pursuit of one's passion.
“You have to want to see them win. And I think that's another key to life.”
— Kenny Santucci [20:07]
“This flag [at Kenny's gym] is a representation of a dream. It's a representation of a lot of hard work.”
— Don Saladino [25:18]
Key Takeaways:
- Redefine Success: Prioritize respect and admiration over monetary gains.
- Build Genuine Relationships: Success is deeply rooted in the quality of relationships and mutual support.
- Stay Committed: Passion and unwavering dedication often require personal sacrifices but lead to meaningful achievements.
- Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Whether building a community or scaling a business, providing genuine value to a few can organically attract many.
- Lead with Authenticity: Personal growth and being a role model are essential for long-term success and influence.
This episode of Stronger with Don Saladino not only provides valuable insights into the fitness and entrepreneurial world but also serves as a motivational blueprint for anyone striving to achieve success that is both meaningful and impactful.