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 challenges for its service members. Sailors have to train while serving on a ship at sea and train while p...
Mar 03, 2021•44 min•Season 10Ep. 5
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 physical demands on service members, but almost all Soldiers will have to pick things up and carry he...
Mar 03, 2021•41 min•Season 10Ep. 4
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 serve in the Air Force. Pilots--especially fighter pilots--face extreme physical requirements from the ...
Mar 03, 2021•34 min•Season 10Ep. 3
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 authority to lead and command other Marines. He also discusses returning to some of these as a leader, e...
Mar 01, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 10Ep. 2
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 produces many of the officers who end up serving in the US Navy and United States Marine Corps. Sco...
Mar 01, 2021•34 min•Season 10Ep. 1
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 telehealth done right. Email podcast@barbell-logic.com to submit a question for future podcasts! 0:00 I...
Feb 22, 2021•41 min•Ep. 359
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 contribute to the lift, though it reduces the horizontal moment of the bar from the glenohumer...
Feb 15, 2021•45 min•Ep. 358
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 are overwhelmed and don't know how to begin. They either haven't lifted or--if they have lifted--they've of...
Feb 11, 2021•48 min
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 factors are simply out of the coaches and lifters' control (rest between attempts, equipment, etc.) for ...
Feb 08, 2021•44 min•Ep. 357
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 Man’s Search for Meaning and how Victor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Jewish person, survived the holocaus...
Feb 05, 2021•47 min•Season 9Ep. 8
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 obstacles, which it inevitably will. GET STARTED with one-on-one online coaching FOR FREE! Get your FIRST MONTH...
Feb 05, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 9Ep. 7
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+Dating+V002.pdf Many people didn’t see healthy relationships as a child, and media too often only cover relati...
Feb 03, 2021•50 min•Season 9Ep. 6
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/5d957e4af14cb6013b0823c5/1570078283487/Red+Flags+In+Dating+V002.pdf Often times, if you find yourself attracted to those people who have m...
Feb 03, 2021•47 min•Season 9Ep. 6
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, but for some at certain points in their life, they become depressed. Though there are different causes ...
Feb 03, 2021•50 min•Season 9Ep. 4
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 feedback: specificity They also discuss what it takes to develop a friendship and how to create friendship...
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 9Ep. 3
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, and too often write off how they feel as just a normal aspect of aging. When men undergo testosterone replac...
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 9Ep. 2
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 is bad and I’m bad for eating it. We find ourselves overcome with negative thoughts and focused on past fa...
Feb 01, 2021•54 min•Season 9Ep. 1
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 you do if you see a spider during training? 10:04 Questions on keeping the arms straight during the ...
Jan 25, 2021•49 min•Ep. 356
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 trial. https://bit.ly/2MKeOoh Special offers from BLOC and our partners: https://barbell-logic.com/offer...
Jan 20, 2021•38 min•Ep. 355
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 ignore the noise and remember why we’re doing what we’re doing. Sometimes, we need to really think abo...
Jan 15, 2021•41 min•Season 8Ep. 4
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 control what we can (bring plates, sleeves, chalk, etc.) but also potentially prepare for other envir...
Jan 13, 2021•36 min•Season 8Ep. 3
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’re not hitting PRs. During these times, we need to enjoy what we’re doing, maintain the habit, and l...
Jan 12, 2021•43 min•Season 8Ep. 2
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’re good at and enjoy and balancing your pursuits with the other important things in your lifes, such a...
Jan 11, 2021•55 min•Season 8Ep. 1
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 includes a 10-day, no obligation trial. https://bit.ly/2MKeOoh Special offers from BLOC and our partner...
Jan 04, 2021•58 min•Ep. 354
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 the biggest lessons was reevaluating what online coaching offers. When gyms closed down and many clients wer...
Dec 28, 2020•54 min
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 Logic to yours. GET STARTED with one-on-one online coaching FOR FREE! Get your FIRST MONTH FREE on all s...
Dec 23, 2020•21 min
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 will make you appreciate the classic Christmas special in new ways, starting with the thematic, mela...
Dec 21, 2020•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 352
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 coaching FOR FREE! Get your FIRST MONTH FREE on all strength and nutrition coaching plans. No discount code...
Dec 14, 2020•51 min•Ep. 351
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: huge meals, home-baked desserts, calorically-dense food items, peer & family pressure, fond memorie...
Dec 11, 2020•51 min•Season 7Ep. 4
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 need and how many meals you need to prepare. What staples do you always keep in the house, regardless of ...
Dec 09, 2020•55 min•Season 7Ep. 3
