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

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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.

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.

• 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

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.

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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.

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• Barbell Logic on Instagram
• Podcast Webpage
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• Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

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.

• 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.

• Niki on Instagram
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• Podcast Webpage
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• Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

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.

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.

• Niki on Instagram
• Andrew on Instagram

• Barbell Logic on Instagram
• Podcast Webpage
• Barbell Logic on Facebook
• Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

👉 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.

• Niki on Instagram
• Andrew on Instagram

• Barbell Logic on Instagram
• Podcast Webpage
• Barbell Logic on Facebook
• Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Stronger at any age: discover why you don't need a gym to get strong. Linda's story proves that with the right coaching and consistency, you can build strength, health, and confidence at home—no matter your age or equipment.

You don't need a gym to get strong. In this episode of The Coaching Advantage: Real Stories of Strength & Nutrition, Niki and Andrew reflect on the powerful journey of Linda, a 70-year-old lifter who transformed her health with the guidance of Barbell Logic coach Chrissy.

From overcoming intimidation and training at home with nothing but bodyweight, to building a simple home gym, battling osteopenia, and learning to shift her mindset around progress, Linda's story proves that strength training is for everyone—at any age, with any level of equipment.

You'll learn how coaching adapts to your unique situation, why building strength is the best defense against aging, and how even small, consistent efforts can add up to lasting health and independence.

Whether you're starting late, training at home, or just wondering if strength training is worth it, this episode shows why you don't need a gym to build the confidence, resilience, and vitality you want for life.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Why you don't need a gym to get strong

• 1:30 – Gym intimidation and the hidden barriers for older lifters

• 4:50 – Training at home: starting with nothing and building over time

• 9:00 – Strength training vs. osteopenia and aging

• 13:00 – Redefining progress: from PRs to preparing for life

What You'll Learn

• Why you don't need a gym to begin strength training

• How online coaching can empower people at any age

• Practical ways to train at home with minimal equipment

• The role of strength training in aging and bone health

• How creative coaching adapts principles to real lives

Hashtags

#StrengthTraining #HomeWorkouts #Longevity #FitnessPodcast #YouDontNeedAGym #BarbellLogic #HealthyAging #StrengthForLife

PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.

• Niki on Instagram
• Andrew on Instagram

• Barbell Logic on Instagram
• Podcast Webpage
• Barbell Logic on Facebook
• Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com