3064: This Journey Called Strength AND Stop Training for Weight Loss by Nia Shanks on Long-Term Fitness Motivation

Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition

Optimal Living Daily LLC

Fitness, Health & Fitness, Nutrition

4.4 • 671 Ratings

🗓️ 28 July 2025

⏱️ 10 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3064: Nia Shanks challenges the way we view fitness by encouraging a shift from aesthetic-focused goals to a strength-centered mindset that fosters self-respect and long-term motivation. She highlights how redefining progress through what your body can do, rather than how it looks, can lead to a more empowering and sustainable journey. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.niashanks.com/stop-training-for-weight-loss/ Quotes to ponder: "Strength is about more than what your body can do, it’s about how you feel in your body and how you live your life." "Stop trying to shrink yourself. Start trying to become the strongest, most awesome version of yourself." "Let your workouts be a celebration of what your body can do, not a punishment for what you ate." Episode references: Mark Rippetoe’s Starting Strength Book: https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Strength-Basic-Barbell-Training/dp/0982522738 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	I've ruled out uni because I want to live at home.
0:02.0	I've ruled out uni because I want to earn money.
0:05.0	I've ruled out uni because of my grades.
0:10.0	Study with the Open University and there's no need to rule out anything.
0:13.0	With our respected degrees, you can learn from home and work alongside study.
0:17.0	We're open to all. Plus, you'll have the support of expert tutors. So rethink your
0:23.6	future with the degree you didn't think was possible. The Open University. The future is open.
0:30.5	This is Optimal Health Daily. This journey called Strength and Stop Training for Weight Loss,
0:37.4	both by Nia Shanks of Niashanks.com.
0:40.2	And I'm your host and narrator, Dr. Neil Malik.
0:42.9	Happy Monday and welcome back to Optimal Health Daily, where I read to you from popular
0:47.2	health and fitness blogs to help you optimize your health.
0:51.1	All right, let's get to today's two posts and start optimizing your life.
0:59.5	This journey called Strength by Neishanks of Neishanks.com. So you've deadlifted 315 pounds. Are you done?
1:09.7	Done? What do you mean, am I done? Well, you reached your goal,
1:13.8	so I thought you would be done. Yes, 315 was one of my main goals, but I'm nowhere close to being
1:20.6	done. In fact, I'm only 25 years old, so I see this as just the beginning. The truth is, this journey called strength doesn't have a finish
1:30.5	line. It is a long, exciting, frustrating, rewarding, soul testing, tough, motivating journey that has no end
1:39.2	in sight. I have no final destination to reach. I simply have a map and compass to guide me along the journey.
1:47.0	There are points plotted out along the way I must get to,
1:49.9	and I have a training philosophy that will guide me, but that's about it.
1:53.3	To me, my 315 deadlift was just another point on the map I needed to reach.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 2 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Optimal Living Daily LLC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Optimal Living Daily LLC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.