Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic

Strength Training for Longevity: Train Now So You Don't Become a Burden Later

When you're young, longevity doesn't feel urgent. Strength training is about PRs, aesthetics, or stress relief. But as life speeds up—and as you watch parents and peers lose independence—the real value of training becomes clear. In Episode 2 of the C.L.A.R.A. series, Andrew and Niki explore what longevity actually means, why strength training protects quality of life, and how consistency through imperfect seasons keeps you capable for decades. They discuss Dr. Jonathan Sullivan's concept of compressing the morbidity window, the dangers of the "sick aging phenotype," and why strength training must become a non-negotiable as life changes. This episode is about playing the long game—so you remain independent, capable, and strong for as long as possible. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro + Episode 2 of the CLARA series 03:15 – What longevity really means (and why it didn't resonate earlier) 03:45 – Compressing the morbidity window & the sick aging phenotype 06:30 – Strength, independence, and not becoming a burden later in life 09:30 – Why "mediocre" workouts still matter for longevity 13:20 – Muscle as a metabolic reservoir (blood sugar, diabetes, bone health) 17:45 – Coaching, adaptation, and training for the long haul 24:45 – Clara shoutout + "your future self will thank you" PS - Ready to finally see real change? Lean In 12 delivers noticeable fat loss, improved strength, and unmatched consistency through expert coaching and daily support — all in one premium 12-week program. Now discounted for a limited-time. Start your transformation: https://bit.ly/4rKpkLr   Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Keep Showing Up: Why Consistency is the Real Strength

Consistency is the foundation of strength training—but it's also the hardest part. In the first episode of the C.L.A.R.A. series, Andrew and Niki break down why strength training consistency matters more than motivation, outcomes, or perfect programming. If you've ever struggled to stick with lifting, lost momentum after early progress, or felt discouraged by slow results, this episode explains why that's normal—and how to stay in the process anyway. C.L.A.R.A. stands for Consistency, Longevity, Accountability, Resilience, and Adaptability. These five principles form the mental framework for lifelong strength, health, and sustainable training. This episode focuses on consistency because everything else flows from it. You'll hear why outcomes like PRs and physique changes can become distractions, how discomfort and delayed feedback sabotage consistency, and why buy-in matters more than motivation. The conversation also explores common obstacles to staying consistent with strength training, including soreness, injury, decision fatigue, limiting beliefs, and the mental load of trying to do everything "right." This episode kicks off a new series designed to help lifters think beyond the barbell and build strength that lasts for decades—not just months. Timestamps 00:00 – Why this series exists and why consistency comes first 03:00 – Introducing the C.L.A.R.A. framework 06:15 – Consistency over outcomes and PR obsession 09:45 – Buy-in, churn, and why consistency drives results 14:00 – Discomfort, delayed feedback, and limiting beliefs 21:30 – Decision fatigue, friction, and the role of coaching 30:15 – Looking ahead to longevity and the long game PS - Ready to finally see real change? Lean In 12 delivers noticeable fat loss, improved strength, and unmatched consistency through expert coaching and daily support — all in one premium 12-week program. Now discounted for a limited-time. Start your transformation: https://bit.ly/4rKpkLr   Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

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

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 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 PS - Ready to finally see real change? Lean In 12 delivers noticeable fat loss, improved strength, and unmatched consistency through expert coaching and daily support — all in one premium 12-week program. Now discounted for a limited-time. Start your transformation: https://bit.ly/4rKpkLr   Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

GLP-1s, TRT, and Training: What Lifters & Coaches Need to Know

GLP-1 medications, TRT, and peptides are becoming common—but they don't change the rules of strength training. Learn how GLP-1s and strength training work together to preserve muscle, manage recovery, and train intelligently for long-term health. 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 protecting muscle, managing recovery, and training for long-term health. What You'll Learn in This Episode How GLP-1s and strength training interact in real lifters Why training on GLP-1 medications increases the need for muscle preservation Common fatigue, nutrition, and recovery challenges with GLP-1s How TRT affects recovery, training frequency, and progress Why first principles still apply—even with hormone support How coaches should think about programming for clients on GLP-1s or TRT The role of protein, resistance training, and bone density during rapid fat loss Why communication between lifter and coach matters more than ever How peptides fit into recovery—and where their limits are Why long-term quality of life should guide training decisions Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Niki & Andrew set the stage 02:10 – The biggest shift Andrew has seen in 10 years of coaching 04:30 – What counts as hormone-influencing tools (GLP-1s, TRT, peptides) 07:20 – Why GLP-1 medications reduce appetite—and what that changes 10:45 – Training on GLP-1s: fatigue, low energy, and muscle loss risk 14:30 – Fat loss vs muscle preservation: why strength training matters 18:05 – TRT and strength training: the return of linear progress 22:40 – Recovery, frequency, and why TRT doesn't remove limits 26:15 – Peptides, recovery, and optimization myths 30:10 – Coaching clients on GLP-1s: why honesty matters 34:25 – Nutrition priorities when appetite is suppressed 38:10 – Bone density, muscle mass, and aging well 42:00 – First principles that never change 46:00 – Final thoughts: tools don't replace training 48:10 – How to work with a Barbell Logic coach Key Takeaway GLP-1s, TRT, and peptides may change the training landscape—but they don't change the map. Strength training, protein intake, recovery, and intelligent coaching still determine long-term results. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.    Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Train Anyway: Consistency Blueprint for Strength & Fitness in Busy Seasons

In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims sits down with Barbell Logic coach Nikki Burman to unpack what it really looks like to train anyway—to stay consistent in strength and fitness through pregnancy, toddlers, homeschooling, deployment, and the unpredictable rhythm of real life. Nikki shares the mindset shifts, visualization practices, planning systems, and flexible training strategies that helped her stay grounded and capable during some of the most demanding seasons of her life. This conversation is a powerful reminder that consistency doesn't come from perfection—it comes from realistic planning, compassionate self-talk, and building a training approach that supports your actual life, not your ideal one. Whether you're a busy parent, a professional navigating stressful seasons, or someone who wants to keep training without burning out, this episode lays out a practical blueprint for designing workouts that work—even when life doesn't go according to plan. If you've ever wondered how to maintain strength and fitness when you're exhausted, overwhelmed, or pulled in a hundred directions, Nikki's candid, thoughtful insights will help you reset your expectations, rethink your routines, and build a sustainable approach to training you can stick with. What You'll Learn in This Episode How visualization creates emotional buy-in and strengthens habits Why realistic expectations matter more than perfect plans How to adapt strength training during pregnancy, postpartum, and sleep-deprived phases Strategies for overlapping lifts, shortening sessions, and staying consistent How breath work and mindset shifts help you stay patient and resilient The power of being kind to yourself when life gets messy Why flexible training beats rigid programming in busy seasons How to design a week of training that fits your real life, not your ideal life The role of support systems—coaches, spouses, accountability—in staying on track Why showing up, even imperfectly, is what builds long-term progress How to train anyway when everything feels unpredictable Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Niki welcomes Coach Nikki Burman 01:45 – Why Nikki wanted to revisit her story after the previous episode 03:20 – Visualization: the starting point for lasting habits 07:10 – From aesthetics to capability: shifting the purpose of training 10:00 – How motherhood reshaped Nikki's approach to fitness 12:40 – Realistic planning vs. ideal planning 15:02 – Why Nikki committed to only two strength sessions a week 17:20 – Training during deployment: flexibility over rigidity 20:05 – Peloton, kids' screen time, and making cardio actually doable 23:30 – Mindset work: self-talk, breath work, and emotional regulation 26:48 – Avoiding the perfection trap in busy seasons 28:55 – Nutrition, mindfulness, and resetting old habits 31:15 – Designing a weekly plan you can actually follow 34:22 – Support systems: coaching, accountability, and home environment 37:10 – How to "trick yourself" into staying consistent 40:05 – The power of seeing busy seasons as temporary 42:30 – Teaching kids by example: modeling strength and capability 44:55 – Final strategies for staying consistent through real life 46:30 – How Barbell Logic experience calls help lifters visualize their path 48:00 – Closing thoughts PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.    Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com