The Strong New York Podcast

Can Caffeine & Nicotine Actually Make You Smarter? with Dr. David Putrino

Most people have been told caffeine and nicotine are bad for you — but what does the science actually say? This week, host Kenny Santucci sits down with Dr. David Putrino, neuroscientist and Director of Rehab Innovation at Mount Sinai, to break down the truth behind nootropics, brain optimization, and the substances that could sharpen your focus and performance. Dr. Putrino shares what it's really like to work at the intersection of elite athletic performance and clinical rehabilitation — and why the strategies used to train special forces operators and professional athletes aren't that different from what helps stroke patients recover. Plus, they dive deep into one of the most important and undertalked health crises happening right now: long COVID and its devastating effects on cognition and energy. In this episode: * Why caffeine and nicotine have been unfairly demonized — and what the research actually shows * The truth about nootropics and how to build your own cognitive "stack" * How elite athlete training and stroke rehab are more similar than you think * Long COVID and the brain: why millions of Americans are still struggling with brain fog and fatigue * The supplements and treatments Dr. Petrino uses with his 4,000+ long COVID patients * Creatine, lion's mane, L-theanine, nicotine patches, and more — what works and for whom * The future of personalized nootropics based on your DNA CONNECT:   Follow Kenny: @kennysantucci Follow Strong New York: @strongnewyork Follow David: @putrino_lab This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com [http://marekhealth.com/]. Use code KENNY at checkout for 10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.

Running 4,600 Miles Across the Sahara, 18 Months in Federal Prison & 33 Years Sober with Charlie Engle

What does it take to run across the Sahara Desert, survive federal prison, maintain 33 years of sobriety — and come home to be a full-time caretaker for the person you love? Charlie Engle has lived all of it. In this episode, Kenny sits down with ultramarathon legend, New York Times bestselling author, and charity: water ambassador Charlie Engle for one of the most raw, real, and inspiring conversations we've ever had on the show. In this episode: * Why being a caretaker for his wife for 10+ years has been harder than any race or prison sentence * How running 4,600 miles across the Sahara Desert changed his relationship with suffering * The truth about what federal prison is actually like — and why the system isn't built to rehabilitate anyone * How 33 years of sobriety shaped his identity, discipline, and drive * His upcoming charity: water expedition and why he keeps chasing the next impossible goal * The mindset shift that took him from always asking "what's next?" to learning to live in the present moment * Why owning your narrative is everything — and what happens when you let others tell your story Charlie's story isn't just about physical endurance. It's about what it means to keep moving forward when life strips everything away — and why the only compass that matters is the one inside you. CONNECT: Follow Charlie:  @charlieengle Follow Kenny: @kennysantucci Follow Strong New York: @strongnewyork This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for  10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.

The Future of Clean Caffeine with Richard Mumby, CEO of Wip Energy

What if you could get all the energy of a pre-workout or energy drink — without the bloat, the bubbles, or the $6 price tag? Richard Mumby, CEO of Wip Energy, is betting the answer fits in the palm of your hand. In this episode of the Strong New York Podcast, host Kenny Santucci sits down with Richard to break down why Wip's clean caffeine pouches are disrupting a multi-billion dollar industry — and why 85% of Americans who already consume caffeine daily are ready for something smarter. In this episode, we cover: - Why energy drinks are losing ground to caffeine pouches — and what makes the pouch delivery system so effective - The truth about caffeine: how much is too much, and why it's one of the most studied and beneficial ingredients in the world - How Wip went from a 2-year stealth formulation phase to hitting 10,000+ retail doors (Wawa, Murphy's, Quick Trip, and more) - The CEO's journey from Wall Street finance to leading a next-gen consumer brand - Why your mindset matters as much as your macros — and the powerful lesson Richard learned watching his 83-year-old father give himself a pep talk - The untapped consumer: why Wip isn't just for gym-goers, but for everyone hustling through a demanding day Plus: Richard and Kenny talk about the upcoming Strong New York event (September 26th at The Glass House), influencer marketing strategy, festival season, and what's next for Wip. CONNECT: Follow Richard:  @rpmumby Follow Wip Energy:  @wipenergy Follow Kenny: @kennysantucci Follow Strong New York: @strongnewyork This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for  10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.

The Man Who Invented Personal Training: Body by Jake

This week, Kenny sits down with Jake Steinfeld — the man who literally invented the personal training industry. Jake opens up about losing his home in the LA Palisades fire, why he still trains at 4:15am every single day, turning down Nike before they created "Just Do It," and the anonymous poem that shaped his entire life philosophy from age 14. From posing with the Village People to doing stunt work as The Incredible Hulk, from Cold Calls in Hollywood to building a fitness empire seen in 90+ countries — this episode is a masterclass in betting on yourself when nobody else will. In This Episode: * How Jake created personal training as a profession (there was no blueprint) * The steroid decision at 19 that changed everything * Losing his home in the Palisades fire & what he grabbed on the way out * Why he turned down Nike's offer to buy "Don't Quit" * GLP-1s, fitness culture, and what the industry gets wrong * The mindset behind never missing a workout — ever * Body by Jake Radio & what's coming next CONNECT: Follow Jake: @bodybyjake Follow Kenny: @kennysantucci Follow Strong New York: @strongnewyork This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for  10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.

He Went from Corporate Finance to Exposing the Fitness Industry's Biggest Trends - Jake Heyen

This week Kenny Santucci sits down with Jake Heyen — the fitness industry analyst and founder of Wellworthy who blew up on Instagram by delivering no-BS, news-style breakdowns of the brands, events, and trends shaping health and fitness culture. Jake shares the full story: from studying finance and statistics in college, to building a workout subscription platform during COVID, to joining Playbook as Director of Operations — and ultimately growing one of the most trusted voices in the fitness media space. In this episode, we get into: * How Jake built his audience from zero with a completely different content style * Why he almost quit before realizing it was actually working * The brands he thinks are absolutely crushing it right now  * His take on the biggest fitness trends: community gyms, HYROX-style events, home health tech, and the rise of strength culture for women * Why he turned down every podcast — until this one Whether you're a fitness entrepreneur, creator, or just obsessed with the industry, this episode is packed with real insight from someone who's been behind the curtain. CONNECT: Follow Jake: @jakeheyen Follow Kenny: @kennysantucci Follow Strong New York: @strongnewyork This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for  10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.