Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic

Dr. David Puder and Brooke Haubenstricker return to discuss training with depression. How do we help those--or help ourselves--exercise and train and reap the benefits of exercise and training if they--or we--struggle to find the motivation to not just exercise but to get out of bed?     Check out Dr. David Puder's podcast here:  https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/   One hurdle is that many people...

Peaking for an online meet provides more choices and thus greater room for strategy (and mistakes) for how lifters peak and complete their attempts.  Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson explore how to peak for an online meet (or simply complete PR attempts). United States Strengthlifting is putting on an  online event .  Whereas in an in-person meet, all lifts need to be peaked on the same day and many f...

COVID has disrupted our lives and led to isolation and fear for many people.  There are the twin fears of getting sick and losing loved ones, and then the fear of losing one's job and other economic consequences.   In difficult times, it often helps to read or observe the writings and experiences of those who have experienced harder times than you.  Dr. Puder and Matt cover some of Victor Frankl's...

What is grit? How do we increase grit and why do we need it? Check out Dr. David Puder's podcast here:  https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/   Just as we can increase our strength through barbell training, we can increase our mental toughness and grit through undergoing the challenges involved in barbell training.  The grit we develop through this process helps us when life confronts us with obstacl...

Matt, Scott, and Dr. Puder continue their discussion of red flags and green lights:  things to avoid and things to look for in partners to build healthy relationships.   Check out Dr. David Puder's podcast here:  https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/   Here is the red flags list:  https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a0b24e0bff200118a898f2d/t/5d957e4af14cb6013b0823c5/1570078283487/Red+Flags+In+Dat...

Whereas Dr. Puder first addressed friendships, he now digs into romantic relationships, how to find and create healthy, enlivening relationships, and what to avoid when looking for a partner. Check out Dr. David Puder's podcast here:  https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/   Here is his red flag list:  https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a0b24e0bff200118a898f2d/t/5d957e4af14cb6013b0823c5/157007828...

What is depression?  How do we recognize depression in ourselves and others?  How can we help those with depression?  How do we identify and help those who may have depression as strength coaches?  Brooke Haubenstricker--BLOC Staff Coach & PBC--discuss this with Dr. David Puder. Check out Dr. David Puder's podcast here:  https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/   Everyone experiences grief and sadness,...

What is connection and how do we improve connection. Explore this topic with Scott, Matt, and Dr. Puder.   Check out Dr. David Puder's podcast here:  https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/   Here are the components of connection--by improving these, we can improve our connections: empathy psychological safety: ability to be honest alliance (therapeutic or educational): similar goals/on the same page f...

Matt, Scott, and Dr. Puder discuss low testosterone, testosterone replacement therapy, and building friendships.   Check out Dr. David Puder's podcast here:  https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/   Many men develop low levels of testosterone as they age.  They often feel reduced sexual desire and activity, decreased energy and motivation, and decreased confidence.  They often don't feel themselves, a...

Gillian and Sarah Shanahan, Barbell Logic's Registered Dietician, join Niki to discuss how to build healthy relationships and mindsets around food, training, ourselves, and others to ultimately overcome negativity.   Check out Dr. David Puder's podcast here:  https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/   Too often people succumb to black and white thinking and negative, spiraling thoughts--e.g. this food i...

Matt, Niki, & Andrew answer your strength training (and random) questions.    1:23  On the squat at powerlifting meets:  Why do they have several people spotting lifters at a meet as opposed to having a lifter squat in a power rack with safety arms? 4:22 Questions on distal bicep tendon reattachment surgery & spiders:  What training recommendations would you have for long-term recovery?  What do y...

Many people who come to barbell training have exercised before but haven't necessarily trained.  How do you make the switch from exercise to training.  Matt, Niki, and Andrew help you make the jump to training.   GET STARTED with one-on-one online coaching FOR FREE! Get your FIRST MONTH FREE on all strength and nutrition coaching plans.  No discount code needed and includes a 10-day, no obligation...

Bringing it all together, how do we stay grounded with body image; gaining & losing weight; fueling training; staying excited for months, years, and decades of training.  Niki & Gillian share their thoughts.   We need to develop and maintain realistic expectations and remain grateful for what we have and can do.  We need to define success for ourselves and not base it off others.  We have to ignor...

The gym, powerlifting meets, locker rooms:  these all have specific sensory mosaics specific to themselves.  Niki & Gillian talk about all the many senses you experience in the different strength settings--the sights, scents, tastes, noises, and textures).  They then delve into how these can affect your performance and how we often get comfortable with our typical environment, so we should both co...

Failure arrives unexpectedly on the longer road to greatness and self-improvement.  Any meaningful pursuit will come with low points and mistakes.  Niki & Gillian discuss approaching and dealing with failure, injuries, low points, and mistakes.   We need to enjoy our pursuits--even if we don't enjoy every minute of them.  If PRs are the only thing keeping us in the gym, we'll reach a point when we...

How do we define success? How do we evaluate if we've succeeded, regardless of our level of experience or talent--novice or advanced, amateur or elite?  Niki and Gillian explore this important question and related topics. Gillian discusses how she felt more pride when she lost certain events but less pride when she won but knew she left something on the table.   She also explores learning what you...

Matt interviews Jordan Gross, a BLOC client and veteran All-American NFL Lineman.  They discuss Jordan's experience with football, transitioning out of the NFL, training for strength and health, farming, and the benefits of voluntary hardship.   GET STARTED with one-on-one online coaching FOR FREE! Get your FIRST MONTH FREE on all strength and nutrition coaching plans.  No discount code needed and...

Matt, Niki, and Andrew discuss lessons learned from 2020:  as a company, as employees at that company, and as individuals.   2020 presented some unexpected challenges, but Barbell Logic remained committed to providing value for its clients and its coaches.  We think that we've learned a lot--as a company, as coaches, as individuals--and we're a better company because of the challenges.   One of th...

Matt takes a look back at 2020 and gives a sneak peek into new happenings with Barbell Logic for the new year in this short but sweet Christmas special. Things to look forward to from Barbell Logic include more lifting camps and seminars in the New Year, new books, and a brand new Barbell Academy Principles Course.  We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, from our family at Barbell Log...

Thanks to the crew at the Music and Ideas Podcast for helping us continue a Holiday tradition. Scott Hambrick is back with co-hosts Karl Schudt and Trent Jones for another holiday jazz music special. This year the guys discuss the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas by American jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. Sharing their musical insights and a healthy dose of nostalgia for the holidays, the hosts...

Matt, Niki, and Andrew answer your burning holiday questions submitted through Instagram.   This podcast address both fun and helpful topics related to Christmas and winter, to include favorite holiday traditions, lifting outside, adding protein or alcohol to egg nog, best stocking stuffers for lifters, and more.   Enjoy the holiday spirit with Barbell Logic! GET STARTED with one-on-one online coa...

The holiday season is coming up, and for many of us this is a time where we gain weight:  whether we justify an unexpectedly large bulk or simply seem unable to avoid our weight inching up despite our best intentions.  Learn some practical methods to achieving your goals and preventing or limiting holiday weight gain (or even enabling holiday weight loss).   The holidays present unique challenges:...

You understand the basics and understand the importance of preparation:  how does this look in real life?  How does a potential meal, day, or week look?  Gillian & Niki delve into how to approach nutrition plans practically.   Looking at the week and the day helps.  When you look at a week, think about when you go grocery shopping, which meals will be eaten outside the house, how much food you nee...

Reaching our goals through nutrition comes with common pitfalls.  Help us arm you with tips to overcome these common obstacles.   First and foremost, as with training, we apply a minimum effective dose framework, whether you want to primarily gain muscle or lose body fat.  This means, we don't cut calories to 1200 or double your calories.  We first observe so we can understand your habits, metabol...

Nutrition is a complicated topic, which comes with more emotional baggage and controversy than training.  We have to eat, whereas we don't have to train or exercise.  Difficulties abound, including trigger foods, grocery shopping, mindless eating, misunderstanding and underestimating calories, certain times of the year, alcohol, family, food preferences, dietary restrictions, and much, much more....