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.

• Niki on Instagram
• Andrew on Instagram

• Barbell Logic on Instagram
• Podcast Webpage
• Barbell Logic on Facebook
• 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
• Andrew on Instagram

• Barbell Logic on Instagram
• Podcast Webpage
• Barbell Logic on Facebook
• 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

In this episode of The Coaching Advantage: Real Stories of Strength & Nutrition, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with Barbell Logic coach Chrissy and her client Linda to share how consistent coaching transforms life at every age.

Linda began lifting in her 70s while navigating scoliosis and later osteoporosis. With the right coaching and smart training modifications, she built confidence, strength, and muscle that carry over into everyday life—from carrying groceries to picking up grandkids.

You'll learn how coaching provides accountability and structure, why restraint matters more than chasing soreness, and what it looks like to keep training for health, longevity, and hypertrophy through the decades.

This inspiring conversation proves it's never too late to start, adapt, and thrive with strength training.

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

Struggling to turn your training into lasting results? In this kickoff to The Coaching Advantage series, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson share their personal journeys, why they coach every day, and how strength and nutrition coaching transform everyday life. From breaking through plateaus to reclaiming health and longevity, this conversation shows why coaching matters for everyday lifters who want more than just numbers on the bar.

What You'll Learn

• Why Niki and Andrew became coaches — and what keeps them motivated after years of daily coaching.

• The "magic moments" when coaching clicks and creates lasting transformation.

• How strength and nutrition coaching transform everyday life, from reduced pain to renewed confidence.

• Why progress isn't linear and how coaching helps lifters push through plateaus.

• The unique benefits of long-term online coaching relationships for accountability and results.

• What to expect from this new interview series with real coaches and clients.

Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome to Beast Over Burden and the new interview series.
2:15 – Why we coach: the deeper meaning behind daily coaching.
4:50 – Niki's start in CrossFit and how it led to strength coaching.
7:20 – Andrew's roots in sports, family coaching influence, and the transformative power of strength training.
12:50 – Coaching vs. corporate work: why helping lifters feels more rewarding.
16:20 – Client stories: from grim outlooks to renewed visions of the future.
20:00 – How lifters respond to setbacks and learn resilience through coaching.
23:40 – The long-term benefits of online coaching relationships.
25:40 – What's next in this interview series: coaches and clients share real journeys.

Hashtags

#StrengthTraining #NutritionCoaching #FitnessPodcast #Longevity #Hypertrophy #EverydayLifters #BarbellTraining #QualityOfLife

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

Feeling stuck under the barbell? This Strength With Purpose episode dives into how to find your why so you can train with consistency and purpose even when motivation fades, life gets messy, or the excitement of chasing PRs wears off. Nikki Sims and Andrew Jackson share how to punch the clock with minimum-viable sessions, bring variety into your training without losing progress, and lean on coaching and community to reignite purpose for the long haul.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How to recognize when your training motivation has dipped—and what that really means.

• Practical strategies to find your why and keep training consistent.

• The power of "minimum-viable" workouts that hold strength and muscle through busy or stressful seasons.

• Why variety (hypertrophy, machines, exercise swaps) can renew purpose without derailing goals.

• When to talk to a coach, remove "buzzkill" lifts, and reset your program with smart structure.

Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome to Beast Over Burden: why lifters lose motivation
1:00 – Feeling stuck and the importance of purpose in training
3:00 – Recognizing ruts: apathy, boredom, and hidden signals
5:00 – Faith over hype: trusting you'll feel better after training
7:00 – Punch-the-clock sessions: how to define your minimum-viable workout
12:00 – Travel, schedules, and training through life chaos
16:00 – Buzzkill lifts and how to swap them guilt-free
20:00 – Variety with purpose: hypertrophy, machines, and refreshing programs
24:00 – Coaching consults and the value of real-time feedback
26:00 – Closing thoughts: how to find your why again

Hashtags

#StrengthWithPurpose #FindYourWhy #StrengthTraining #LongevityFitness #Hypertrophy #StrengthForLife #BarbellLogic #BeastOverBurden

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