Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic

Matt talks to Marine Colonel Scott Conway about the physical demands of the United States Marine Corps and ground forces in general--those service members whose fight on land. The Marine Corps have a philosophy--and way of training Marines--that involves the idea that every Marine is a Rifleman. Every service has a similar concept--when things go wrong, everyone must be able to react competently,...

We're on a boat! Niki Sims talks to CJ Gotcher and Andrew Jackson--Barbell Logic staff coaches, full-time employees, and Navy Veterans--about their experience with the Navy and the physical demands of the Navy, including how you squeeze through tight spaces.  The Navy--and any organization that involves service on the water or out at sea, such as the Coast Guard--puts some unique demands and chall...

What kind of training are we talking about? ARMY TRAINING, SIR! Niki talks to Nikki Burman, Barbell Logic's Director of Client Experience, and Jerett Burman, Military Police Major in the United States Army National Guard, about the physical demands of the Army and the challenges of staying fit--at home and while deployed throughout the world.  Jobs in the Army--as with all services--put different...

Niki talks to Colin Slade, Air Force Captain, about physical requirements, physical training, and physical fitness tests for the Air Force, Space Force, air crews, and pilots.  The demands for Airmen and Guardians differ greatly between jobs and from day-to-day. While people tend to think of pilots when they think about the Air Force, pilots represent a relatively small percentage of people who se...

Matt talks to Colonel Scott Conway--this time about leadership and resilience, and how strength training--and physical training in general--can make people better leaders, managers, and parents and help them better face difficult situations and events. Scott discusses his early experience through the Marine Corps' schools to screen and develop officers--Marines given the rank and position and auth...

Matt and Niki talk to Colonel Scott Conway, career Marine Officer, who shares his experiences of service, leadership, and combat. Scott wanted to serve since he was a kid, and ultimately decided to become a Marine and attend the Naval Academy. The Naval Academy emphasizes leadership, academics, athletics, and time management. It throws many big fish in little ponds into the ocean, so to speak, and...

Matt & Niki and your lifting and life questions. Topics include changing hands for mix grip deadlifts, recommended kitchen equipment for meal prep, lumbar flexion during heavy deadlifts, most important gym equipment to begin, and testicle pain after lifting.   To get 50% off your first month of SteadyMD, go to steadymd.com/bloc by February 28th. SteadyMD is your personal doctor, online. It's teleh...

0:00 USSF Meet Prep Update & Intro 7:12 RPE 11 Andrew 13:56 Causes & Anatomy 28:06 Cues to Correct 34:14 Supplemental Lifts 37:56 Touchpoint 40:42 Set Up & Conclusion Elbow flare is a common bench press error where the elbows flare out on the ascent. This error, much like a good morning squat, produces movement in the joints without moving the bar up.  It decreases the ability of the pecs to contr...

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...