Health with Hunter: Sustainable Fat Loss, Real Food Swaps, and Building Muscle

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 Intro

01:11 Why People Fail at Health

03:25 Sustainable Training Mindset

05:14 Hunter’s Turning Point

07:26 Motivation and Discomfort

09:01 Weight Watchers and Food Swaps

10:13 Acne and Lifestyle Fixes

11:45 Support Systems and Your Circle

13:10 Breaking Vices Diet Soda

16:55 Fruit Sugar and Cravings

18:21 Kenny’s Weight Loss Story

22:12 Family Transformation and Exercise

23:34 Gym Mindset Shift

24:06 Accountability Beats Excuses

26:12 Early Mornings No Excuse

27:31 Three Tips For Plateaus

30:32 Healthy NYC Food Spots

33:58 Best Bars And Electrolytes

36:55 Alcohol And The 80 20 Rule

38:49 Dexa Scan Body Recomp

41:05 Self Advocacy And Ownership

42:57 Treat Your Body Like Gold

44:50 Wrap Up And Where To Follow