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
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Connect with the show

• Barbell Logic on Instagram
• Podcast Webpage
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• Or email [email protected]

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 - 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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

In this inspiring strength training transformation story, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with Coach Mac McGregor and his longtime client, Gillespie Ferguson, to explore one of the most powerful journeys ever shared on Beast Over Burden. Once a self-described "unathletic" late starter plagued by chronic pain, self-doubt, and years of setbacks, Gillespie rebuilt not just his lifts but his entire understanding of what he was capable of. Through patient coaching, persistent work, and a deep friendship formed through the process, he transformed from a hesitant beginner into a confident, physically capable Coast Guard volunteer on the Isle of Skye.

In this candid conversation, Mac and Gillespie walk through the early struggles of pain and insecurity, the slow technical rebuild of every lift, the psychological work of staying committed through setbacks, and the surprising breakthrough that came years into training. They also share the dramatic impact of Lyme disease, the process of starting over from scratch, and why knowing how to train is the ultimate form of resilience. This episode is a reminder that strength is not reserved for the gifted—it's for anyone willing to start, struggle, and keep showing up.

Whether you're a beginner, someone returning from pain, a coach working with complex clients, or simply someone who needs to hear that transformation is possible at any age, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How Gillespie went from chronic pain and self-doubt to the strongest he's ever been

• Why rebuilding technique can feel slow—but changes everything

• The role of psychology, confidence, and patience in long-term coaching

• How Coach Mac used experimentation and customization to solve persistent pain

• What to do when progress stalls (sometimes for months at a time)

• The breakthrough moment when strength finally "clicked"

• How improved nutrition and mindset accelerated transformation

• The surprising impact of Lyme disease—and how to start over the right way

• Why strength training skills stay with you for life

• How training helped Gillespie earn a place in the Coast Guard

• Why this strength training transformation story is so powerful for late starters

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Meet Mac & Gillespie 02:25 – Gillespie's beginnings: not athletic, not confident, but willing 07:40 – Early training attempts & meeting the first lifters who inspired him 11:10 – Working with Carl Schutt & the challenges that carried into lockdown 15:55 – The first in-person session with Mac & rebuilding from scratch 21:30 – Psychology of pain, fear, and believing you're "not built for strength" 26:05 – The slow technical fix: empty bar squats, 40-kg deadlifts, constant troubleshooting 30:20 – When progress finally took off: nutrition, confidence, and consistency 35:42 – Hitting big PRs: 187.5 kg deadlift, 140 kg squat, and more 39:55 – Disaster strikes: the onset of Lyme disease 43:20 – Starting over with a fresh LP after treatment 47:00 – Becoming Coast Guard–ready: strength meets service 50:25 – What Gillespie wishes he could tell his younger self 54:10 – Mac and Gillespie reflect on friendship, persistence, and purpose 58:00 – Final thoughts & how coaching changes lives

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 [email protected]

In this inspiring episode, Nikki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with two of Barbell Logic's most recognizable names: Nikki Berman (Director of Client Experience) and Coach Bekah Creek (PT and longtime BLOC coach). Together, they dive deep into what strength training for moms really looks like—during pregnancy, postpartum, deployments, sleepless nights, and every chaotic season in between.

Nikki shares the full arc of her journey: from chasing "skinny" through extreme dieting and cardio, to discovering barbell training, to becoming a mother of four and finding her strongest, most capable self along the way. Her candid stories—including training through nausea, the realities of relaxin, managing back-to-back pregnancies, and an unexpected home birth—offer a rare, empowering look at motherhood through the lens of strength.

Coach Bekah walks through the coaching side: how to modify programming for pregnant or postpartum clients, when to push, when to pull back, and why the marathon mindset of "something is better than nothing" can be transformational for busy moms. Together, they illustrate how strength training can anchor a woman through the most demanding phases of life.

Whether you're a mother, a future mother, a coach working with pregnant/postpartum clients, or simply someone looking for hope and consistency, this conversation highlights the resilience and adaptability that define strength training for moms.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why strength matters so much for pregnant and postpartum women

• How to modify training through each trimester

• The surprising benefits of tonnage-based and RPE-based programming

• How to navigate fatigue, nausea, sleep deprivation, and childcare

• Why "all or nothing" breaks moms—and how to replace it with a sustainable mindset

• The physical and emotional realities of postpartum recovery

• How coaching support changes everything for new moms

• The story behind Nikki's unplanned, fast home birth

• Why taking up space—not shrinking—is the real goal

• How strength training helps moms show up better for their kids and themselves

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 [email protected]

In this inspiring Beast Over Burden episode, Nikki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with Kayleigh and Jeff to explore strength training for couples, overcoming burnout, building sustainable routines, and transforming body composition with intention and patience.

What This Episode Is About

When Kayleigh and Jeff started lifting together, they didn't just change their strength — they changed their lives. What began with a difficult vacation photo became a powerful journey of discipline, weight loss, personal growth, and deep partnership. Today, they train together four days per week in their garage, navigate nutrition together, problem-solve injuries, and continue to grow stronger as individuals and as a team.

Whether you lift with your spouse, want to lift with your spouse, or simply want to build more consistency in your own training, this episode offers real-life insight into what it takes to create sustainable, long-term change.

Key Topics Covered

• How Kayleigh went from intimidated by barbells to topping the leaderboard at her gym

• Why weight loss required lifestyle change—not just training

• The power of a simple daily checklist

• Jeff's early strength training background and how he introduced Kayleigh to lifting

• Why many couples struggle training together—and how these two made it work

• Navigating burnout, under-recovery, and shifting priorities

• Training through shoulder pain and building the patience to modify training

• Sustainable weight loss strategies, including eating the same meals, tracking, and taking breaks

• Why "strength training for couples" works only when each partner maintains ownership of their own journey

• Using constraints to simplify nutrition and decision-making

• The importance of deliberate maintenance phases during long cuts

• Building a family culture of fitness, sustainability, and consistency

Why You Should Listen

If you're navigating motivation challenges, recovery issues, weight loss plateaus, training with a spouse, or simply trying to build better habits, this conversation gives you a grounded, honest look at what it truly takes to change your life—slowly, consistently, and together.

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 [email protected]

Life doesn't stop for your training — but your training can help you survive life. In this episode, we sit down with Scott & Coach Jamal to explore what it really looks like to keep lifting through setbacks while raising kids, grieving a parent, and rebuilding after injury.

This is not a highlight-reel story — it's real-life resilience, one rep at a time.

What You'll Learn

• Why strength matters most in life's hardest seasons

• Training through nerve pain and rebuilding confidence

• How parents can fit training into chaotic schedules

• The value of flexible, customized programming

• Coaching as accountability, encouragement, and partnership

• Why showing up imperfectly matters more than perfection

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 [email protected]

When Elizabeth Blair began lifting postpartum, she had no idea that strength training would one day become one of her most important tools in fighting cancer. In this powerful episode, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with coach Nikki Berman and her client Elizabeth to explore the transformation that comes not from chasing PRs, but from choosing to show up when life hits hardest.

Elizabeth shares her journey from new mom learning to deadlift, to receiving a diagnosis of aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, to lifting through chemo, surgery, and recovery. She and Nikki walk us through adapting training around a chemo port, managing energy and nausea, and redefining what "success" looks like when your goal shifts from performance to survival — and then back again.

This conversation is about strength in every sense: physical, emotional, maternal, and human. It's a story of refusing to quit, of lifting through chemo to maintain dignity and control, and of building a body and mindset capable of meeting life's hardest challenges. Whether you're a lifter, a parent, or someone navigating your own fight, this episode shows that the path forward is through the obstacle — one rep, one day at a time.

What You'll Learn

• How strength training supported postpartum recovery

• Why small wins and consistency matter more than perfect programming

• Adapting training around chemo ports, nausea, fatigue, and post-surgery rules

• The emotional and mental resilience built through training

• How lifting can be an anchor during uncertainty and fear

• Returning to the barbell after treatment — and hitting new milestones

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 [email protected]

Even with all the AI training apps and free workout programs out there, real coaching still matters.

In this episode of Barbell Logic: Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson explain why coaching remains essential for lifters who train for strength, health, and longevity. They explore how personalized feedback, accountability, and real human judgment can never be replaced by algorithms or templates. Through a live Q&A, they answer listener questions about core strength, nutrition, joint pain, and mindset—and show how consistent, adaptable coaching leads to lasting results.

You'll learn why a good coach helps you navigate life's changing variables, how to train smarter as you age, and how to stay consistent in both your workouts and your nutrition. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced lifter, this conversation will remind you that you don't need to compete to need a coach.

Coaching isn't just for elite athletes—it's for anyone who wants clarity, consistency, and confidence in their training. Strength for life isn't built through perfect programs; it's built through guided progress and real accountability.

What You'll Learn

In this live strength and nutrition Q&A, you'll discover:

• Why AI and free training templates can't replace a coach.

• How to build stronger core stability through barbell movements.

• A simple meal plan built around real food (and sandwiches).

• How to train around joint pain without giving up progress.

• The difference between group and one-on-one coaching—and which might fit you best.

• How coaching can transform not only your training, but your life outside the gym.

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 [email protected]

👉 Try online strength coaching FREE for one month at barbell-logic.com with discount code LIVE4FREE.

Can women do pull-ups? Yes—absolutely. In this standalone Beast Over Burden episode, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson break down the controversy around new pull-up standards and use it as a springboard to tackle one of the most common fitness myths: that women can't do pull-ups.

You'll learn:

• Why benching your bodyweight often predicts your first chin-up

• How to progress from bands and negatives to unassisted reps

• Why bench and chin training sometimes interfere—and how to fix it

• The truth about "high-protein" food trends like Starbucks' new protein milk

This episode is a blend of myth-busting, practical programming, and smart nutrition advice for lifters who train for strength, health, and longevity. Whether you're a beginner or chasing your next PR, this one's for you.

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 [email protected]