Deadlift Meet at 40: Niki Sims, a Rough Taper, and What She Learned

2025-12-23

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In this episode of Beast Over Burden, hosts Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson unpack how GLP-1 medications, TRT, and peptides are changing the coaching landscape—and what that means for strength training. Drawing from years of hands-on coaching experience, Andrew explains how GLP-1s and strength training interact, why muscle preservation becomes critical during rapid fat loss, and how tools like TRT can accelerate progress without changing the core rules of adaptation. If you're a lifter training on GLP-1 medications, considering TRT, or a coach working with clients using these tools, this episode delivers a first-principles framework for p...

Drawing from years of hands-on coaching experience, Andrew explains how GLP-1s and strength training interact, why muscle preservation becomes critical during rapid fat loss, and how tools like TRT can accelerate progress without changing the core rules of adaptation.

If you're a lifter training on GLP-1 medications, considering TRT, or a coach working with clients using these tools, this episode delivers a first-principles framework for protecting muscle, managing recovery, and training for long-term health.

Competing at 40 looks different than it did in your 20s—and that's not a bad thing.

In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson recap Niki's recent deadlift-only meet, breaking down why she decided to compete again, how she trained while traveling, what went wrong during the taper, and what the experience revealed about strength, perspective, and showing up at 40.

This isn't a PR story. It's an honest look at preparation, adversity, meet-day chaos, and the value of competing without tying your identity to a number on the bar.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Why a deadlift-only meet made sense at 40
How pulling 405 in training reopened the door to competing
The training structure that stayed simple—and the one key change that mattered
How frequent travel and inconsistent gyms affected recovery and performance
What a "rough taper" actually feels like
A realistic approach to weight management without extreme cutting
Meet-day logistics, warm-up chaos, and disrupted attempts
Why missing a lift doesn't mean missing the point
What it means to be proud of your strength at 40

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro and why this meet recap matters

02:33 – Pulling 405 and deciding to compete again

06:49 – Training approach and key program changes

10:47 – Training while traveling: 20 gyms in one year

15:08 – Getting sick, a rough taper, and reset expectations

20:35 – Weight management and attempt selection

28:24 – Meet-day chaos, warm-ups, and attempts

36:45 – What Niki learned from a deadlift meet at 40change

46:00 – Final thoughts: tools don't replace training

48:10 – How to work with a Barbell Logic coach

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