Beyond Macros: Building Baseline Nutrition Habits
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Release Date: 02/25/2025
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Do you really need to power clean to be strong and explosive? For most lifters training for longevity, hypertrophy, and health—not competition—the answer might surprise you. In this episode of Beast Over Burden, part of the Rethinking the Big Lifts series, coaches Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson break down the real purpose of the power clean, who it's actually for, and why there are better options for developing explosive strength without the technical headaches or injury risks. If you’re lifting for life—not for sport—this one’s for you. ✅ What You’ll Learn Why the power clean...
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Is the overhead press worth it for most lifters? In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson take a hard look at the most skipped lift in strength training: the overhead press. They break down why it’s often abandoned, what makes it frustrating, and how to rebuild your pressing with smarter technique, variations, and programming for long-term strength and longevity. Whether you’re dealing with shoulder pain, struggling with progress, or questioning if it’s even worth your time, this episode gives you a clear, no-nonsense answer. ✅ What You’ll Learn Why the...
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Does the deadlift still matter in your training? If you’ve ever felt beat up by barbell pulls or unsure how to keep deadlifting as your goals and body evolve, this episode is for you. Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson unpack how the deadlift should serve you—not wear you down. From trap bars to kettlebells, from smart programming to pain management, this is a no-nonsense guide to making the deadlift work for life—not just your PR sheet. 🎧 This is part of the Rethinking the Big Lifts series—where we challenge conventional thinking to build training that’s smarter, sustainable, and...
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Is the bench press overrated—or just misunderstood? In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson challenge the default status of the bench press in most lifters’ routines. Whether you’re trying to get stronger, avoid pain, or train for the long haul, this conversation will help you rethink the bench’s role in your program—and whether it’s serving your goals. This is part of the Rethinking the Big Lifts series, where we explore how foundational barbell movements evolve over time and how to train smarter, not just harder. ✅ What You’ll Learn Why the bench...
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What is a squat—really? In this first episode of our new Big Lifts series, strength coaches Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson ask the question many lifters overlook: what are you actually trying to get out of your squat? Whether you’re chasing PRs, trying to age with strength, or just want to move better, this conversation breaks down why your squat should evolve with your goals, your body, and your season of life. Let go of the dogma—and train for you. 💡 What You’ll Learn Why “the squat” isn’t one fixed movement How to define a squat based on your goals What matters more...
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Are you training nearly every day—strength, cardio, HIIT—and still not seeing the results you want? In this episode of Beast Over Burden, strength coaches Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson tackle a common question: Are you progressing, or just working hard? They break down the sneaky signs of overtraining, the truth about cardio intensity, and how recovery—not more effort—is often the bottleneck to strength, muscle, and long-term health. 💡 Key Takeaways Training hard ≠ guaranteed progress Doing too much can stall strength and muscle gains Most “HIIT” is just moderate...
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Still searching for the perfect program to fix your fitness? In this episode of Beast Over Burden, strength coaches Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson expose why the “one right plan” mindset is keeping lifters stuck. They break down how perfectionism, rigid programming, and unrealistic expectations sabotage long-term progress—and share smarter, more sustainable ways to train for strength, health, and life. Whether you’re burned out, frustrated, or just tired of starting over, this episode will help you trade pressure for progress. 💡 Key Takeaways (Bullets) The perfect program is a...
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This episode tackles overcoming the 3 big training pitfalls that silently sabotage lifters: mindless snacking, all-or-nothing thinking, and poor boundaries. Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson break it down with practical tips, real-life stories, and strategies that actually work for strength, longevity, and real-life training. 💡 Key Takeaways (Bullets for Engagement & Search) Identify and overcome the 3 big training pitfalls Why snacks you don’t count still count How “perfect or nothing” leads to burnout Real-world boundary-setting tips for parties, travel, and stress ...
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Struggling to stay consistent with strength training? Feel like you're always starting over? In this episode, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson deliver a realistic guide to long-term strength—not hype, not hacks—just what actually works for lasting progress, muscle, and freedom. 💡 Key Takeaways Physical freedom = the ability to adapt and train for life—not just 12-week spurts You don’t need 6 weeks—you need 18–24 months of structured training Muscle = your emergency fund for long-term independence A coach can accelerate your growth and cut years off your learning curve ...
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Life’s messy—but your strength doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson dive into how to stay strong when life throws curveballs. From missed workouts to surprise illnesses, chaotic travel, or just busy seasons, they reveal how to adapt your training, stay consistent, and keep building strength—without falling into the all-or-nothing trap. 💥 Topics Covered: Why perfection kills progress (and what mindset to replace it with) Programming hacks for crazy schedules, travel, and low-energy days Real-life coaching stories showing how to...
info_outlineLearn practical strategies for building baseline nutrition habits that go beyond macro counting, focusing on consistent daily behaviors for sustainable health and lasting results.
We dive deep into the behaviors that form the foundation of your nutritional success. Forget the complicated macro calculations for a moment; we're focusing on the daily, repeatable habits that truly make a difference. These are the routines that will empower you to build a reliable nutrition baseline, ensuring you consistently nourish your body and achieve your health goals. It's not about quick fixes or fad diets, but about establishing a sustainable lifestyle.
We understand that the initial excitement of starting a new nutrition plan can fade. That's why we're focusing on behaviors that reduce decision fatigue. By creating consistent routines, you'll minimize the mental energy required to make healthy choices. This approach is crucial for long-term success, as it helps you navigate those inevitable moments when willpower is low and hunger strikes. We'll explore practical strategies to help you build these essential habits.
Building Consistent, Decision-Free Routines
Many people get overwhelmed by the details of weighing and measuring food. While these practices can be helpful, they're not always necessary for building a solid nutrition baseline. What's more important is establishing consistent routines that reduce the number of daily decisions you need to make. This means identifying repeatable behaviors that simplify your approach to food.
Think about creating a set meal schedule or preparing a few staple dishes in advance. By having go-to options, you'll eliminate the need to constantly decide what to eat. This consistency is essential for building a reliable nutrition baseline. We'll also discuss how to develop a sense of portion control without obsessively weighing every ingredient. Learning to recognize ballpark amounts can be just as effective and far less stressful.
When facing situations with less control, like social gatherings or travel, having a strong foundation of consistent behaviors is key. We'll explore strategies for maintaining your nutrition baseline in these scenarios, ensuring you can confidently make healthy choices even when your routine is disrupted. The goal is to reach a point where you feel confident in your ability to navigate any situation while staying true to your nutritional goals.
Practical Food Strategies and Tradeoffs
Building a healthy nutrition baseline involves understanding the foods that support your goals. We'll discuss essential food groups, focusing on prioritizing protein and carbohydrates while adjusting fats to suit your needs. Learn how to identify single-ingredient foods that offer flexibility and versatility in your meal planning. For example, a big batch of chicken breasts or ground beef can be used in a variety of ways.
We'll also explore the concept of tradeoffs. Understanding that you can enjoy a fattier cut of meat if you reduce fats elsewhere in your diet is crucial for creating a sustainable plan. This flexibility allows you to enjoy your favorite foods while still maintaining a healthy balance. Discover how to incorporate spices, powdered peanut butter, cinnamon, and walnuts into your meals to add flavor and nutritional value.
Having a repertoire of repeated, flexible recipes is essential for long-term success. These recipes should be easy to prepare and adaptable to your preferences and nutritional needs. Consider batch cooking or meal prepping to save time and ensure you always have healthy options available. By focusing on simple, single-ingredient foods and mastering a few key recipes, you'll be well on your way to building a strong nutrition baseline.
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