By the second week of January, most people are already drifting off track.

In this episode, Paul Bassett explains why fitness goals so often stall early in the year, not because people lack motivation, but because they get stuck in research, hesitation, and overthinking. Drawing on daily experience coaching busy professionals, Paul breaks down why action matters more than perfect planning, and how small decisions create momentum that carries you beyond January.

This episode is a practical reminder that progress comes from commitment, not endless consideration. 

⸻

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why most fitness goals die in the “thinking about it” phase

• How over-researching creates paralysis

• Why action builds confidence, not the other way around

• The role of accountability and “skin in the game”

• How small commitments prevent January burnout

• Why joining something imperfect beats waiting for perfect

• How to avoid becoming another January casualty

⸻

Who This Episode Is For:

• Anyone struggling to stay consistent in January

• People stuck comparing gyms, plans, or programmes

• Busy professionals afraid of committing and failing

• Those who have restarted fitness goals year after year

• Anyone wanting momentum instead of motivation

⸻

About the Show

Beast of Burden is a weekly podcast hosted by Paul Bassett, founder of Hounds of Health in Wandsworth, London. The show explores strength, fitness, mindset, and accountability for busy people who want real-world results.

Each episode is grounded in hands-on coaching experience rather than theory or trends.

⸻

Connect & Learn More

To learn more about coaching with Hounds of Health or to take action:

Website: https://www.houndsofhealth.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houndsofhealth

Enquiries: [email protected]

Episode Summary

January is full of noise, quick fixes, and panic-driven fitness advice. But getting lean, strong, and confident doesn’t require tricks, hacks, or extreme approaches.

In this first episode of 2026, Paul Bassett cuts through the hype and explains what actually drives fat loss and body composition change. From strength training and movement to nutrition, tracking, and realistic timelines, this episode lays out the fundamentals that work consistently, especially for busy adults.

This is an honest conversation about aesthetic goals, why it’s okay to want to look good, and how to pursue that goal without sacrificing health or burning out. 

⸻

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why aesthetic goals are valid and often misunderstood

• The difference between surface-level tips and real progress

• How strength training shapes the body

• Why diet reveals the results of your training

• What data you should track (and what you can ignore)

• How to approach fat loss with realistic timelines

• Why most people fail by rushing the process

• When coaching creates leverage and faster results

⸻

Who This Episode Is For:

• Anyone starting (or restarting) fitness in January

• People who want to look better without extremes

• Busy professionals overwhelmed by fitness advice

• Those frustrated by past programs that didn’t stick

• Anyone serious about sustainable body composition change

⸻

About the Show

Beast of Burden is a weekly podcast hosted by Paul Bassett, founder of Hounds of Health in Wandsworth, London. The show focuses on strength, fitness, mindset, and accountability for busy people who want real-world solutions, not hype.

Each episode is built on lived coaching experience and practical application.

⸻

Connect & Learn More

To learn more about coaching with Hounds of Health:

Website: https://www.houndsofhealth.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houndsofhealth

Enquiries: [email protected]

Episode Summary

As the year comes to a close, it’s easy to focus on what didn’t happen. But real progress is built by recognising what did.

In this final episode of 2025, Paul reflects on how to assess the past year without judgement or guilt, and how to use what you’ve already built as the foundation for what comes next. Rather than chasing distant goals, this episode focuses on recognising skills gained, habits formed, and momentum earned.

This is about turning reflection into direction, and using the past year to move forward with clarity into 2026. 

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why focusing only on unmet goals holds people back

• How to measure progress by looking backward, not forward

• The idea of “career capital” and how it applies to health and life

• Why skills and habits matter more than outcomes

• How to carry momentum from one year into the next

• The importance of setting boundaries around your own needs

Who This Episode Is For:

• Anyone reflecting on their year as it ends

• People feeling frustrated despite real progress

• Busy adults balancing work, family, and personal goals

• Those who want a calmer, more realistic approach to self-improvement

About the Show

Beast of Burden is a weekly podcast hosted by Paul Bassett, founder of Hounds of Health in Wandsworth, London. The show explores strength, fitness, mindset, and personal growth through practical experience rather than theory.

Each episode is designed to help listeners build consistency, resilience, and long-term progress.

Connect & Learn More

To learn more about Hounds of Health or explore coaching support:

Website: https://www.houndsofhealth.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houndsofhealth

Enquiries: [email protected]

The New Year is often treated as a reset button for health and fitness, but for most people, motivation fades long before results appear.

In this episode, Paul Bassett explores why “New Year, New You” thinking rarely leads to lasting change, and why action, structure, and accountability matter far more than enthusiasm or intention. Drawing on real coaching experience with busy professionals, Paul breaks down how progress actually happens and how to avoid repeating the same cycle year after year.

This is a grounded, practical look at how to approach the New Year without guilt, extremes, or false promises.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why motivation is unreliable, and what replaces it

• How small actions compound into long-term results

• Why most fitness plans fail by February

• The difference between chasing outcomes and building character

• How to get back on track quickly after time off

• What it really means to “take action” in your fitness journey

Who This Episode Is For:

• Busy professionals struggling to stay consistent

• Anyone tired of restarting fitness plans every January

• People who want clarity rather than quick fixes

• Those looking to build sustainable habits, not short-term wins

About the Show

Beast of Burden is a weekly podcast hosted by Paul Bassett, founder of Hounds of Health in Wandsworth, London. The show focuses on strength, fitness, mindset, and accountability for busy people who want real results without confusion or extremes.

Each episode offers practical insight drawn from real-world coaching, not theory or trends.

⸻

Connect & Learn More

If you’d like to explore working with Hounds of Health or learn more about the coaching approach discussed in this episode:

Website: https://www.houndsofhealth.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houndsofhealth

Enquiries: [email protected]

As we head into the final stretch before Christmas, I’ve been out speaking with local businesses and one thing keeps coming up. Most wellbeing programmes simply don’t work.

In this episode I break down why so many corporate wellbeing schemes become box-ticking exercises, why high performers hide their struggles, and why January pushes people back into the same old routines that never fit their life in the first place.

Drawing on years of coaching busy professionals, I share what actually helps people feel better, perform at a higher level and stay consistent when life is demanding.

We cover:

• Why generic apps, one-off webinars and “free fruit” don’t solve real problems

• Why professionals lose energy and confidence, yet never speak up at work

• The pillars that genuinely move the needle, like structure, accountability and community and why they aren't done effectively in wellbeing programs

• Why features don’t matter unless they lead to real behaviour change

• Practical ideas for any business that wants a healthier, more resilient team

Whether you work in HR, run a business or just want a more sustainable plan for yourself in the new year, this episode will give you clarity on what actually works.

If you want support for yourself or your team, you can learn more here:

Hounds of Health: https://www.houndsofhealth.co.uk

No fluff, no gimmicks, just practical insight from working with real people every day.

Listen in, and feel free to share it with someone who needs a clearer plan before January hits.

In this episode of Beast of Burden, I talk through one of the most common challenges people face in their fitness journey, especially at this time of year, the inevitable lull or plateau in progress.

December is chaotic, the weather is miserable, routines wobble and motivation dips. Yet this is also where the real work begins. As I explain in the episode, progress rarely disappears because things get too hard, it disappears when things get boring and we stop doing the basics consistently .

Drawing from coaching busy professionals in Wandsworth, I break down:

• Why plateaus aren’t a sign something is wrong
• How “training age” shapes expectations and results
• Why people make huge early gains, then panic when those gains slow
• The difference between purposeful practice and just turning up
• How to choose one priority and break through a stall
• Why shifting goals (fat loss vs strength vs skill) can reset your progress
• The mindset that keeps people consistent long after motivation fades

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply finding December tough, this episode will help you steady the ship, keep showing up and understand the psychology behind long term success.

If you’re listening on your commute to yet another Christmas do, enjoy the night and look after yourself.

And if this episode helps, please follow, share or leave a review.

In this episode of The Beast of Burden Podcast, Paul Bassett answers a listener question: how can you be a positive influence on someone else’s health — a partner, friend, or family member — without nagging or losing your own focus?

Drawing from real coaching experiences at Hounds of Health in Wandsworth, Paul explores what it really means to lead by example, hold your boundaries, and create change through your actions rather than your words.

He talks about:

Why you must “put your own oxygen mask on first” before helping others

How your habits and consistency shape your kids, partner, and friends

Why shame never works, but quiet leadership does

How to set healthy boundaries that inspire, not alienate

What to do when the people around you resist your progress

A thoughtful episode for anyone trying to live better and bring others along for the ride.

🎧 Subscribe and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — and connect with Paul at @houndsofhealth

or houndsofhealth.co.uk

.

December is here — parties, mince pies, deadlines, and chaos. In this episode of The Beast of Burden Podcast, Paul Bassett breaks down how to approach the festive season without losing sight of your health or your progress.

From managing social events to knowing when to loosen the reins, Paul shares practical strategies to help you enjoy Christmas without the guilt or the crash that often follows. This isn’t about restriction, it’s about practicing the habits you’ve built under real-world pressure.

Episode Highlights:

Why December is the perfect time to test your discipline and habits

How to handle parties, food, and drink without feeling deprived

The balance between “being kind to yourself” and letting yourself off too easily

How to maintain your structure while enjoying the festivities

Why pressure-testing your skills now sets you up for success in the new year

🎧 Listen, reflect, and if you find it useful — share it with someone who tends to “fall off” every Christmas.

Connect with Paul at @houndsofhealth

or visit houndsofhealth.co.uk

to learn more.

The Bucket of Crabs: Breaking Free from Unsupportive Environments

What happens when the people around you pull you back just as you’re trying to change? In this episode of The Beast of Burden Podcast, Paul Bassett explores the “bucket of crabs” effect how family, friends, and environments can hold you down when you’re ready to move forward.

Drawing from real experiences in life, business, and fitness, Paul unpacks why breaking away from negative influences is so hard, and how to build a supportive network that helps you grow stronger, healthier, and more confident.

Episode Highlights:

How your environment shapes your habits — and why some people unknowingly hold you back.

The “bucket of crabs” story and what it reveals about human behaviour and change.

Why what’s considered “normal” has shifted — and how to spot when your normal isn’t serving you.

The “caged bird” idea: why taking care of yourself can feel strange in the wrong crowd.

How to build a new network that supports your goals without abandoning everyone you care about.

Real talk on drinking culture, peer pressure, and the unseen cost of fitting in.

The moment you escape negativity and start attracting the people and success you want.

🎧 Listen, reflect, and share your thoughts with Paul at @houndsofhealth

or visit houndsofhealth.co.uk to learn more about creating lasting change.

🎙️ Episode 16: Stop Overcomplicating Your Workouts

Most people don’t fail because they’re lazy. They fail because they overcomplicate everything. Then they get confused or overwhelmed, or even head in the wrong direction.

In this episode of Beast of Burden, Paul explains why chasing variety, jumping between programs, or constantly tweaking your workouts is one of the fastest ways to stall progress. He breaks down how to simplify your training, focus on the right movements, and finally get consistent results.

Inside, you’ll learn:

Why “doing more” isn’t the same as “doing better”

How to know when a workout is enough

The dangers of mixing too many training styles

Why simplicity and consistency always win

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard but not getting anywhere, this episode will help you cut through the noise and get back to what works.

👉 Subscribe & Review: Found this useful? Hit subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show.

👉 Follow Hounds of Health:

Instagram: @houndsofhealth

Facebook: Hounds of Health

Website: www.houndsofhealth.co.uk

👉 Train With Us: Based in Wandsworth? Start your journey with our 30-Day Trial

.