{"id":163,"date":"2025-06-02T07:07:46","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T14:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/?p=163"},"modified":"2025-06-02T07:07:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T14:07:46","slug":"goals-and-balance-a-womans-perspective-with-erin-spiva-stronger-is-better-podcast-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/goals-and-balance-a-womans-perspective-with-erin-spiva-stronger-is-better-podcast-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Goals and Balance &#8211; A Woman\u2019s Perspective with Erin Spiva | Stronger Is Better Podcast #4"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"lyte-wrapper\" title=\"Goals and Balance - A Woman&rsquo;s Perspective with Erin Spiva | Stronger Is Better Podcast #4\" style=\"width:640px;max-width:100%;margin:5px;\"><div class=\"lyMe hidef\" id=\"WYL_81ETP8lPOu0\" itemprop=\"video\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><div><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F81ETP8lPOu0%2Fmaxresdefault.jpg\" \/><meta itemprop=\"embedURL\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/81ETP8lPOu0\" \/><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT1H15M37S\" \/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2025-05-28T05:00:09Z\" \/><\/div><meta itemprop=\"accessibilityFeature\" content=\"captions\" \/><div id=\"lyte_81ETP8lPOu0\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F81ETP8lPOu0%2Fmaxresdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\" itemprop=\"name\">Goals and Balance - A Woman\u2019s Perspective with Erin Spiva | Stronger Is Better Podcast #4<\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/81ETP8lPOu0\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F81ETP8lPOu0%2F0.jpg\" alt=\"Goals and Balance - A Woman&rsquo;s Perspective with Erin Spiva | Stronger Is Better Podcast #4\" width=\"640\" height=\"340\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"In Episode 4 of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with long-time client and friend Erin Spiva to discuss six years of consistent barbell training, lessons learned, and how strength carries over into real life, including hobbies like pole fitness. Erin shares her journey from getting started to becoming a client who trains with purpose and balance. They dive into training as a woman, programming adjustments for neuromuscular efficiency, nutrition habits, the myth of \u201cbulking up,\u201d chin-ups, and what happens when you pair heavy lifting with pole sport. A practical episode that demonstrates how strength makes everything better. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Meet Erin Spiva 01:20 - Why Erin\u2019s perspective matters 03:23 - How training women is (and isn\u2019t) different 05:41 - Neuromuscular efficiency: men vs. women 08:28 - Programming fix: switching women to triples 11:46 - Women grind better: fatigue vs. recruitment 13:52 - Erin\u2019s early lifting history 16:09 - Initial numbers, form struggles, and flexibility 17:46 - Weight trends over the years 18:54 - \u201cLooking better\u201d vs. health: what people really want 22:05 - Why women won\u2019t \u201caccidentally get bulky\u201d 24:43 - Aesthetics vs. capability 26:52 - Cutting while training: Erin\u2019s real numbers 27:55 - Simplicity in programming &amp; new variations 30:36 - Dimmell deadlifts, press goals, and load manipulation 32:53 - Erin\u2019s training progression &amp; consistency 34:00 - Current mindset walking into the gym 35:37 - Lifelong strength: different goals at every stage 37:52 - The importance of balance &amp; sustainable goals 40:09 - How Erin builds habits &amp; sustainable systems 41:44 - Her weekly food prep: protein, grains, &amp; travel chicken 42:50 - Accepting who you are and building around that 44:32 - Early goals: 315 deadlift &amp; chin-ups 47:21 - Tradeoffs: could be stronger, but at what cost? 49:33 - How Erin got her first chin-up 52:29 - The progression: from holds to full reps 53:32 - Training balance and why pole fitness clicked 56:07 - What pole class is like\u2014and who should try it 59:31 - How Erin found pole sport 1:01:18 - How strength helps with skill acquisition 1:03:30 - Why pole felt easier thanks to barbell strength 1:04:40 - Don\u2019t spin your wheels: lift real weights 1:05:11 - Why Erin should start a practical nutrition blog 1:06:13 - Her no-brainer food strategy 1:07:46 - How much technical nutrition matters (or doesn\u2019t) 1:08:52 - Progress is simple: consistency over perfection 1:10:00 - Helping parents get stronger without barbells 1:13:42 - Final advice to women thinking about lifting \ud83d\udd17 Brought to you by www.StartingStrengthGyms.com \ud83c\udfa7 New episodes every other week on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify \ud83d\udce9 Send feedback or questions to: podcast@ssgyms.com *Connect With* #startingstrengthgyms https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/startingstrengthgyms https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/startingstrengthgyms https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/starting-strength-gyms \ud83d\udd17 *Book your free 30-min session:* https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/free-session.html?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=ytreferral \ud83d\udd17 *Own a Gym:* https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/own-a-gym.html?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=ytreferral \ud83d\udd17 *Train at a gym:* https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/locations.html?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=ytreferral \ud83d\udd17 *Coach at a gym:* https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/become-a-coach.html?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=ytreferral \ud83d\udd17 *Shop for apparel:* https:\/\/store.startingstrengthgyms.com?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=ytreferral #startingstrengthgyms #startingstrength #strengthtraining #fitness\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:640px;margin:5px;\"><\/div><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>In Episode 4 of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with long-time client and friend Erin Spiva to discuss six years of consistent barbell training, lessons learned, and how strength carries over into real life, including hobbies like pole fitness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Erin shares her journey from getting started to becoming a client who trains with purpose and balance. They dive into training as a woman, programming adjustments for neuromuscular efficiency, nutrition habits, the myth of \u201cbulking up,\u201d chin-ups, and what happens when you pair heavy lifting with pole sport. A practical episode that demonstrates how strength makes everything better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Timestamps:<br>00:00 &#8211; Intro: Meet Erin Spiva<br>01:20 &#8211; Why Erin\u2019s perspective matters<br>03:23 &#8211; How training women is (and isn\u2019t) different<br>05:41 &#8211; Neuromuscular efficiency: men vs. women<br>08:28 &#8211; Programming fix: switching women to triples<br>11:46 &#8211; Women grind better: fatigue vs. recruitment<br>13:52 &#8211; Erin\u2019s early lifting history<br>16:09 &#8211; Initial numbers, form struggles, and flexibility<br>17:46 &#8211; Weight trends over the years<br>18:54 &#8211; \u201cLooking better\u201d vs. health: what people really want<br>22:05 &#8211; Why women won\u2019t \u201caccidentally get bulky\u201d<br>24:43 &#8211; Aesthetics vs. capability<br>26:52 &#8211; Cutting while training: Erin\u2019s real numbers<br>27:55 &#8211; Simplicity in programming &amp; new variations<br>30:36 &#8211; Dimmell deadlifts, press goals, and load manipulation<br>32:53 &#8211; Erin\u2019s training progression &amp; consistency<br>34:00 &#8211; Current mindset walking into the gym<br>35:37 &#8211; Lifelong strength: different goals at every stage<br>37:52 &#8211; The importance of balance &amp; sustainable goals<br>40:09 &#8211; How Erin builds habits &amp; sustainable systems<br>41:44 &#8211; Her weekly food prep: protein, grains, &amp; travel chicken<br>42:50 &#8211; Accepting who you are and building around that<br>44:32 &#8211; Early goals: 315 deadlift &amp; chin-ups<br>47:21 &#8211; Tradeoffs: could be stronger, but at what cost?<br>49:33 &#8211; How Erin got her first chin-up<br>52:29 &#8211; The progression: from holds to full reps<br>53:32 &#8211; Training balance and why pole fitness clicked<br>56:07 &#8211; What pole class is like\u2014and who should try it<br>59:31 &#8211; How Erin found pole sport<br>1:01:18 &#8211; How strength helps with skill acquisition<br>1:03:30 &#8211; Why pole felt easier thanks to barbell strength<br>1:04:40 &#8211; Don\u2019t spin your wheels: lift real weights<br>1:05:11 &#8211; Why Erin should start a practical nutrition blog<br>1:06:13 &#8211; Her no-brainer food strategy<br>1:07:46 &#8211; How much technical nutrition matters (or doesn\u2019t)<br>1:08:52 &#8211; Progress is simple: consistency over perfection<br>1:10:00 &#8211; Helping parents get stronger without barbells<br>1:13:42 &#8211; Final advice to women thinking about lifting<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brought to you by www.StartingStrengthGyms.com<br>New episodes every other week on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify<br>Send feedback or questions to: podcast@ssgyms.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Episode 4 of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with long-time client and friend Erin Spiva to discuss six years of consistent barbell training, lessons learned, and how strength carries over into real life, including hobbies like pole fitness. Erin shares her journey from getting started to becoming a client who [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[9,11,10],"class_list":["post-163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-podcast","tag-starting-strength-gyms","tag-strength-training","tag-stronger-is-better"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":266,"url":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/a-parents-strength-support-for-disabled-children-stronger-is-better-podcast-14\/","url_meta":{"origin":163,"position":0},"title":"A Parent\u2019s Strength: Support for Disabled Children | Stronger is Better Podcast #14","author":"Bre Acosta","date":"October 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/IvKT0M6dgLg In this powerful episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo is joined by UK-based client and father James Collinge to discuss how strength training has transformed his life\u2014not just in the gym, but in parenting a disabled child. James shares how barbell training prepared him physically and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Podcast - Stronger Is Better&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Podcast - Stronger Is Better","link":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/category\/podcast\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/IvKT0M6dgLg\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":127,"url":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/simplifying-advanced-programming-stronger-is-better-podcast-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":163,"position":1},"title":"Simplifying Advanced Programming | Stronger is Better Podcast #1","author":"Bre Acosta","date":"April 16, 2025","format":"video","excerpt":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/BGOR6Ho8UXA Welcome to Episode 1 of the Stronger is Better Podcast, brought to you by Starting Strength Gyms and hosted by Nick Delgadillo. 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In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick goes deep on the press, why it's good for you, and how to program it long term. https:\/\/youtu.be\/vzUc7QNO_ME?si=9Qth1EmVX-tSzc5t Programming\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Podcast - Stronger Is Better&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Podcast - Stronger Is Better","link":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/category\/podcast\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/vzUc7QNO_ME\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=163"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":164,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163\/revisions\/164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}