Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic

Andrew Conrad has plenty of reasons not to train. He was born with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, or RDEB, a rare skin disorder that makes his skin extremely fragile. Friction and pressure can cause blisters, wounds, and scar tissue. Even normal activities can require extra care. But Andrew has spent his life finding ways to stay active. He grew up playing baseball and competitive tennis. He later trained CrossFit, ran a half marathon, tried OrangeTheory, and eventually found his way to Barbell Logic. Today, he trains four days per week and continues to chase strength goals. In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson talk with Andrew about growing up with RDEB, learning to manage physical limitations, and adapting his training instead of giving it up. Andrew explains how he has modified exercises, equipment, sets, and reps around his condition. That has included gloves, tape, neoprene protection, straps, safety squat bars, different squat variations, and changes to how he deadlifts and benches. The bigger lesson applies far beyond Andrew's rare condition. Your training does not have to look like somebody else's training to work. Injuries, age, health conditions, recovery, and other limitations may change how you train. They do not always have to mean that you stop. Good strength training starts with the person in front of you. In this episode: • Andrew's experience growing up with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa • Staying active despite a condition that makes friction and pressure difficult • His background in baseball, tennis, CrossFit, running, and OrangeTheory • Why he eventually moved to 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] PS - Busy mom strugging to take care of your own health with all your other responsibilities!? Get our free Strength for the Life You Love guide and start getting healthier in the life you already have.

What happens when you remember being athletic, strong, and in shape—but that version of yourself feels decades away? For former athletes and people who used to train, getting back in shape can come with a unique kind of frustration. You remember what you used to be able to do, but your life, schedule, recovery, and body are different now. That comparison can leave you stuck: either you decide there's no point in trying, or you go all-in, do too much too quickly, and burn yourself out. Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson discuss why getting back in shape requires more than motivation. It requires learning to care about yourself without lowering your standards, rebuilding trust in yourself through small actions, and accepting that you do not need to become your 20-year-old self again. They also explain why former athletes often struggle to start over, how self-trust is built through ability, integrity, and benevolence, why taking care of your health is ultimately an act of care for your family, and why simple strength training can be one of the best places to begin. You may not be able to go back to who you were—but six months from now, you can be much stronger than you are today. In this episode: Why former athletes can struggle more with starting over The danger of comparing yourself to your younger self Why caring about yourself does not mean lowering your standards How to rebuild trust in yourself Avoiding the all-or-nothing fitness comeback Why strength training gives you a simple place to start How your health affects the people closest to you What consistent training can accomplish in six months 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] PS - Ready to start strength training? Download Barbell Logic's free Novice Linear Progression guide for a simple, proven approach to getting stronger with barbells.

You're busy. You have work, family, chores, responsibilities, and a dozen screens competing for your attention. So when someone tells you to exercise more, the obvious response might be: "When am I supposed to find the time?" In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson continue the "Act Like You Care About Your Body" series by tackling one of the most common obstacles to consistent training: feeling like you don't have enough time. Andrew explains how the same principles used to audit workflows and eliminate waste in manufacturing can be applied to your own schedule. A simple time audit can reveal where your hours are actually going, where low-value tasks are expanding, and where things like screen time, unnecessary decisions, and "productive procrastination" may be consuming more of your day than you realize. They also discuss why training may require far less time than you think. You don't need hours in the gym every day. Thirty focused minutes three or four times per week can be enough to make meaningful progress—especially when you reduce friction by training close to home, following a clear program, and eliminating unnecessary decisions. You'll learn how to examine your schedule honestly, identify activities that drain rather than restore you, make your training more efficient, and become more intentional about what actually deserves your time. If you keep telling yourself you're too busy to train, start by auditing your time. You may discover you already have the time—you just need to decide how you want to use it. 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] PS - Begin your strength training journey FOR FREE RIGHT HERE.

"I can't afford it" is one of the most common reasons people give for not hiring a coach, joining a gym, or investing in their health. Sometimes that's completely true. But sometimes what we really mean is, "I'm choosing to spend my money somewhere else." Niki and Andrew talk about the relationship between money, time, value, and priorities—and why thinking of coaching as just another monthly expense can cause you to miss the bigger picture. They also dig into the long-term cost of not investing in your strength, the difference between saying you value something and actually prioritizing it, and why being more honest about where your time and money go can lead to better decisions. You don't have to hire a coach to start getting stronger. But if strength and health matter to you, it's worth asking whether "I can't afford it" is really the whole story. 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] PS - Begin your strength training journey FOR FREE RIGHT HERE.

"I need to get in shape before I start working out." It sounds reasonable, but it gets the process backwards. Training is how you build strength, confidence, work capacity, and the ability to do more. Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson discuss why people feel they need to lose weight, improve their fitness, or look like they belong in the gym before they begin. They also explore the deeper issue behind that hesitation: the fear of looking inexperienced, doing something wrong, or being the only beginner in the room. They explain why everyone has to go through day one, how strength improves your life outside the gym, and how a coach can help you start at the right level without expecting perfection. You do not need to become fit enough to start training. You need to start training in a way that fits your current ability. 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] PS - LEARN HOW COACHING & ACCOUNTABILITY COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE HERE.

After two knee replacements, a hip replacement, and years of chronic pain, Beth is getting strong again at 72. A lifelong athlete, coach, and gym owner, Beth has spent decades swimming, running, competing in triathlons, playing racquetball, coaching others, and finding new ways to stay active. But aging, osteoarthritis, major surgeries, and long periods away from consistent strength training forced her to rethink what training should look like now. Beth joins Niki Sims and her son, Andrew Jackson, to talk about returning to strength training after joint replacement, rebuilding confidence under the bar, and learning to train for herself again. She shares how progressive strength training has helped her squat, deadlift, press, play pickleball, lift 50-pound bags of grain, and keep up with her grandchildren. They also discuss how the fitness industry has changed over the past 50 years, the value of individualized coaching, training through different decades of life, and why getting stronger in your seventies can be about much more than numbers in the gym. Beth's story is a reminder that training may change with age, injury, and surgery—but meaningful progress, strength, confidence, and capability are still worth pursuing. 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] PS - Join Lean in 12: https://bit.ly/4rKpkLr

Strength training in your 40s often starts with limitations—nagging injuries, inconsistent training, and the feeling that your best years are behind you. But what if this is actually the decade where you build your strongest, most resilient body? In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims talks with Barbell Logic client Dalton Stanage about his journey from chronic back pain to deadlifting over 465 pounds in his mid-40s. After years of throwing his back out doing everyday tasks, Dalton was hesitant to even attempt a deadlift. But through consistent, coached strength training, he not only fixed his back issues—he became stronger than ever. The conversation explores what strength training in your 40s really looks like. It's not about chasing your twenties or relying on perfect conditions. It's about building consistency, trusting the process, and making steady progress over time. Dalton shares how showing up week after week—regardless of how he felt—led to dramatic improvements in both strength and overall quality of life. They also discuss how priorities shift in your 40s. Training becomes less about short-term goals and more about long-term capability—being strong for your kids, your grandkids, and the demands of everyday life. Dalton, a father of eight and a grandfather, explains how strength training allows him to stay active, engaged, and present with his family. The episode also dives into the role of nutrition, recovery, and discipline. As Dalton shifts toward improving body composition, he shares how tracking food, prioritizing protein, improving sleep, and reducing alcohol have all played a key role in his continued progress. These lifestyle changes are essential for anyone looking to get stronger and leaner in their 40s and beyond. Finally, the conversation highlights the value of coaching. Instead of trying to figure everything out alone, having a coach provides structure, accountability, and a clear path forward—helping you avoid mistakes and accelerate results. Strength training in your 40s is not about decline—it's about building a foundation for the decades ahead. Whether your goal is to eliminate pain, gain strength, or become the "jacked grandpa," this episode shows what's possible with the right approach. If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to get strong, this episode will change your perspective—and give you a clear path forward. 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]