This Mindset Shift Separates The 1% from Everyone Else | Giovanni Vaccaro

On this episode of the Strong New York Podcast, host Kenny Santucci sits down with Giovanni Vaccaro — co-founder of Glamsquad, an on-demand beauty service platform and founder of Peak Mode Coaching, his high-performance coaching business for executives, founders, and entrepreneurs.Strength isn't just something you build in the gym — it's a mindset. Giovanni breaks down his journey from shampooing hair 25-30 times a day at a top Manhattan salon to building a beauty-tech company from the ground up, and the mental toughness, discipline, and "radical responsibility" that took him from stylist to CEO to executive coach. This one is packed with lessons on staying strong through setbacks, building unshakable habits, and why nobody is coming to save you.In this episode:- Growing up in an immigrant Italian family and the blue-collar work ethic that shaped him- Paying his dues: 2.5 years shampooing hair before ever touching scissors- The "light bulb" moment that led to founding Glamsquad- Building the mental strength to shift his identity from "hairstylist" to "entrepreneur"- Why imposter syndrome is actually a sign of strength, not weakness- Hiring for your weaknesses and killing the "self-made" myth- Glamsquad's near-collapse during COVID — and the strength it took to rebuild- His non-negotiable 5am routine: meditation, prayer, gratitude, training- Training for his first marathon and the obsession behind elite performance- The 3 things every strong, high performer has in common- "No one's coming to save you" — radical responsibility and ditching the victim mindset- Why he started Peak Mode Coaching and how identity-first coaching builds mental strengthChapters:0:00 – Intro: Radical responsibility & don't play the victim2:10 – Welcome Giovanni Vaccaro + Strong New York 10th Anniversary4:00 – Growing up Italian, working for his father, discovering the salon world8:15 – Telling his dad he wanted to be a hairdresser10:00 – Starting at the bottom: 2.5 years to become a stylist14:30 – Building a client book & why every person is an opportunity18:00 – The Glamsquad "light bulb" moment22:00 – Shifting identity from stylist to entrepreneur25:30 – Imposter syndrome as a sign you're playing a bigger game28:00 – The power of a great business partner32:00 – Hiring for your weaknesses, not your ego36:00 – Launching Glamsquad & the slow build to viral growth41:00 – What makes a great Glamsquad pro (and the hiring process)45:00 – Money vs. purpose: what really drives high performers50:00 – His 5am routine: meditation, prayer, gratitude, cold plunge55:00 – Training for his first marathon & building mental strength59:00 – The 3 non-negotiables of every strong, high performer1:03:00 – "No one's coming to save you" — radical ownership1:08:00 – Losing weight at 13 and the discipline that followed1:14:00 – Glamsquads' worst year (COVID) and the rebuild1:18:00 – Why he started Peak Mode Coaching1:23:00 – Identity-first coaching & closing thoughtsCONNECT:  Follow Kenny: @kennysantucciFollow the Strong New York Podcast: @strongnewyorkpodFollow Giovanni Vaccaro:  @giovannivaccaro#GlamSquad #EntrepreneurMindset #Selfimprovement 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.