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.

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"

• Niki on Instagram
• Andrew on Instagram

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

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

• 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 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

• Niki on Instagram
• Andrew on Instagram

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