The Strong New York Podcast

Dating apps are broken. Here’s how one CEO is fixing them, one HYROX blind date at a time. 

This week, Kenny sits down with Rob Long, co-founder and CEO of Surf Dating, the official dating app of HYROX. They cover why swiping keeps you stuck, why your profile should be the most honest thing on your phone, and how blind dates in the HYROX start tunnel turned into the best content in fitness.
In this episode:
  • Why “I’m not on apps” is a lie (60%+ of relationships now start digitally)
  • Why Surf bet against AI matchmaking
  • Landing the HYROX deal after bigger dating apps passed
  • 9,000 applicants for 10 blind-date spots in New York
  • Fitness as identity, community and the cure for loneliness
  • What’s next: Rio, London, Brisbane and maybe Comic-Con
Chapters: 
00:00 Why You're Using Dating Apps Wrong
00:41 Rob Long on Tinder, Grindr & Surf Dating
07:50 Dating App Privacy: Is Location Sharing Safe?
10:58 How HYROX Helps Singles Meet in Real Life
18:44 The Biggest Dating Profile Mistake: Chasing Likes
21:52 How Surf Dating Partnered With HYROX
28:50 HYROX Blind Dates: 9,000 Applicants for 10 Spots
36:08 Dating Profile Tips & Real Success Stories
39:28 AI Matchmaking vs. Real-Life Connection
46:04 CEO Leadership: Trusting Your Team & Letting Go
49:48 Dealing With Online Hate & Criticism
54:00 Interest-Based Dating: Finding Shared Hobbies
59:22 Why Friendship, Loneliness & Community Matter
61:05 Modern Dating Pressure: Marriage & Social Media
65:52 HYROX Love Stories & The Future of Surf Dating

Connect with SURF Dating
Instagram: @surfdating

Connect with Kenny and Strong New York: 
Instagram: @kennysantucci
Instagram: @strongnewyork

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This episode is sponsored by:
🔥 Celsius — the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Follow @celsiusofficial on Instagram for all the new flavors.
🩸 Marek Health — optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance at marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY for 10% off Diagnostics, Supplements, and Guided Optimization.
🤝 Founders Club — a trusted circle of 2,500+ builders across North America who share resources, open doors, and raise the bar for entrepreneurship. Learn more at FoundersClubOfficial.com

What is The Strong New York Podcast?

Being STRONG is more than just how much weight you can lift.

The Strong New York Podcast is dedicated to inspiring you to become your strongest self- in the gym, in business, in relationships and in life.

Join Kenny as he sits down with his strong as fuck buddies and shoots the shit on what it takes to be strong willed, strong minded and physically strong. Season one features everyone from entrepreneurs and local business owners to doctors and industry leaders in the fitness and wellness space.

With over a decade of experience, Kenny Santucci has made himself known as one of New York City’s top trainers and a thought leader in the health and wellness industry. After transforming his life at 15 years old through fitness, Kenny made it his mission to transform the lives of those around him.

Kenny has trained some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Jon Bon Jovi, Liev Schreiber, and Frank Ocean, and has been tapped as a fitness expert sharing his training approach with Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Runner's World, SHAPE, Well+Good, among other publications.

Kenny is the creator of STRONG New York, NYC's only Health and Fitness Expo. Strong New York is an immersive day of workouts, wellness experiences, panel discussions, and inspiring conversations with the best in-class wellness professionals, industry leaders, and change makers who are sharing their expertise on today's hottest wellness trends and first-hand experiences on how to optimize your overall health and life.

You can find Kenny at The Strength Club, his private training and group strength training facility in the heart of Manhattan located on 28th and 5th Ave in New York City.