Strength Training for Couples: Kayleigh’s & Jeff’s Journey Through Weight Loss, Burnout, & Renewal
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Release Date: 11/18/2025
Keep Showing Up: Why Consistency is the Real Strength
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
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...
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Deadlift Meet at 40: Niki Sims, a Rough Taper, and What She Learned
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
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...
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GLP-1s, TRT, and Training: What Lifters & Coaches Need to Know
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
GLP-1 medications, TRT, and peptides are becoming common—but they don’t change the rules of strength training. Learn how GLP-1s and strength training work together to preserve muscle, manage recovery, and train intelligently for long-term health. 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...
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Train Anyway: Consistency Blueprint for Strength & Fitness in Busy Seasons
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims sits down with Barbell Logic coach Nikki Burman to unpack what it really looks like to train anyway—to stay consistent in strength and fitness through pregnancy, toddlers, homeschooling, deployment, and the unpredictable rhythm of real life. Nikki shares the mindset shifts, visualization practices, planning systems, and flexible training strategies that helped her stay grounded and capable during some of the most demanding seasons of her life. This conversation is a powerful reminder that consistency doesn’t come from perfection—it comes...
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From Pain to Power: A Strength Training Transformation Story with Mac & Gil
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
In this inspiring strength training transformation story, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with Coach Mac McGregor and his longtime client, Gillespie Ferguson, to explore one of the most powerful journeys ever shared on Beast Over Burden. Once a self-described “unathletic” late starter plagued by chronic pain, self-doubt, and years of setbacks, Gillespie rebuilt not just his lifts but his entire understanding of what he was capable of. Through patient coaching, persistent work, and a deep friendship formed through the process, he transformed from a hesitant beginner into a confident,...
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Strength Training for Moms: Nikki’s Journey through Pregnancy, Postpartum, & Unstoppable Consistency
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
In this inspiring episode, Nikki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with two of Barbell Logic’s most recognizable names: Nikki Berman (Director of Client Experience) and Coach Bekah Creek (PT and longtime BLOC coach). Together, they dive deep into what strength training for moms really looks like—during pregnancy, postpartum, deployments, sleepless nights, and every chaotic season in between. Nikki shares the full arc of her journey: from chasing “skinny” through extreme dieting and cardio, to discovering barbell training, to becoming a mother of four and finding her strongest, most...
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Strength Training for Couples: Kayleigh’s & Jeff’s Journey Through Weight Loss, Burnout, & Renewal
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
In this inspiring Beast Over Burden episode, Nikki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with Kayleigh and Jeff to explore strength training for couples, overcoming burnout, building sustainable routines, and transforming body composition with intention and patience. What This Episode Is About When Kayleigh and Jeff started lifting together, they didn’t just change their strength — they changed their lives. What began with a difficult vacation photo became a powerful journey of discipline, weight loss, personal growth, and deep partnership. Today, they train together four days per week in their...
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Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Life doesn’t stop for your training — but your training can help you survive life. In this episode, we sit down with Scott & Coach Jamal to explore what it really looks like to keep lifting through setbacks while raising kids, grieving a parent, and rebuilding after injury. This is not a highlight-reel story — it’s real-life resilience, one rep at a time. What You’ll Learn Why strength matters most in life’s hardest seasons Training through nerve pain and rebuilding confidence How parents can fit training into chaotic schedules The value of flexible, customized...
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Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
When Elizabeth Blair began lifting postpartum, she had no idea that strength training would one day become one of her most important tools in fighting cancer. In this powerful episode, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with coach Nikki Berman and her client Elizabeth to explore the transformation that comes not from chasing PRs, but from choosing to show up when life hits hardest. Elizabeth shares her journey from new mom learning to deadlift, to receiving a diagnosis of aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, to lifting through chemo, surgery, and recovery. She and Nikki walk us through...
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Do You Really Need a Coach? Why Guidance Beats AI & Templates Every Time
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Even with all the AI training apps and free workout programs out there, real coaching still matters. In this episode of Barbell Logic: Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson explain why coaching remains essential for lifters who train for strength, health, and longevity. They explore how personalized feedback, accountability, and real human judgment can never be replaced by algorithms or templates. Through a live Q&A, they answer listener questions about core strength, nutrition, joint pain, and mindset—and show how consistent, adaptable coaching leads to lasting results....
info_outlineIn this inspiring Beast Over Burden episode, Nikki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with Kayleigh and Jeff to explore strength training for couples, overcoming burnout, building sustainable routines, and transforming body composition with intention and patience.
What This Episode Is About
When Kayleigh and Jeff started lifting together, they didn’t just change their strength — they changed their lives. What began with a difficult vacation photo became a powerful journey of discipline, weight loss, personal growth, and deep partnership. Today, they train together four days per week in their garage, navigate nutrition together, problem-solve injuries, and continue to grow stronger as individuals and as a team.
Whether you lift with your spouse, want to lift with your spouse, or simply want to build more consistency in your own training, this episode offers real-life insight into what it takes to create sustainable, long-term change.
Key Topics Covered
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How Kayleigh went from intimidated by barbells to topping the leaderboard at her gym
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Why weight loss required lifestyle change—not just training
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The power of a simple daily checklist
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Jeff’s early strength training background and how he introduced Kayleigh to lifting
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Why many couples struggle training together—and how these two made it work
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Navigating burnout, under-recovery, and shifting priorities
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Training through shoulder pain and building the patience to modify training
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Sustainable weight loss strategies, including eating the same meals, tracking, and taking breaks
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Why “strength training for couples” works only when each partner maintains ownership of their own journey
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Using constraints to simplify nutrition and decision-making
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The importance of deliberate maintenance phases during long cuts
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Building a family culture of fitness, sustainability, and consistency
Why You Should Listen
If you’re navigating motivation challenges, recovery issues, weight loss plateaus, training with a spouse, or simply trying to build better habits, this conversation gives you a grounded, honest look at what it truly takes to change your life—slowly, consistently, and together.
PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.