How to Become a Beautiful Badass

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I’m baaaaaaaaaack.  Sorry for the delay in getting anything up this week, but as you all know, Operation Co-Habitation was in full swing this past weekend.  And, while everything is moved in and essentially put away (for the most part) – we’re also dealing with all the new quirks that come with living in a new apartment.

For instance, we already blew an electrical circuit running the microwave and toaster oven simultaneously (note to self:  might have to nix plans for that 70” flat screen in the bathroom).  And, on top of that, we have a bit of a mouse issue.

It could be worse, but while un-packing on Sunday, Lisa was in the hallway when she saw a mouse scamper across the kitchen floor.  MOUSE!!!

I sprang into action, jumped off the couch, and went into Commando mode.  Unfortunately, I have yet to catch the little bastard.  He’s like a mouse-ninja.  One second he’s there, I turn away to grab my slingshot, and then I turn back around and he’s gone.

He will be mine.  Oh yes, he will be mine.

Nonetheless, all in all, the place is awesome and we’re happy to be settled down in our new place.

So, with that out of the way, I want to turn your attention to an awesome new product that was just released by my good friend Nia Shanks, titled:

Beautiful Badass

Awesome title, right?

Nia, as many who read this blog on a daily basis know, not only talks the talk, but she definitely walks it as well.

Yes she’s a girl, and yes, she likes to lift heavy things.  Deal with it.

As a competitive powerlifter – at a bodyweight of 120 lbs no less – she’s deadlifted more than most guys (320 lbs), and I’d be willing to bet, speaking from an athletic perspective, she could give most gents a run for their money in a lot of others things, too.

Most importantly, however, is how much I respect her for consistently taking on the upward battle of trying to convince women that it’s okay to TRAIN.  Not workout, but train.

Unlike the walking ham sandwich that is Tracy Anderson (or any other “celebrity” trainer spewing out nonsensical information) – with her ridiculous claims that women should NEVER lift a weight more than three lbs, because, according to her, “we shouldn’t be lifting heavy weights that focus on big muscle groups, because it will bulk us up, it is all about focusing on the small muscles and tightening them, this is what metamorphosis is all about” –  Nia is the antithesis.

Rather than placating into the nonsense, Nia asks women to step away from the stupid, grab a barbell, and lift some freakin weights!  While the mainstream media will go out of its way to promote things like Zumba, yoga, pilates, step aerobics, or [insert any other foo-foo flavor of the day here], Nia suggests that if you’re really serious about taking your body to the next level, you need to be lifting things.  Preferably off the ground.  And sometimes over your head.  Repeatedly.

And for the record: those neon colored dumbbells that are in the women’s only section of your local commercial gym don’t count.  Nice try.

This isn’t to say that any of the above classes are worthless or a complete waste of time – they can definitely play a role in the grand scheme of things.  But you’re clenching at straws if you think those classes alone are all you need to get into badass shape.  Chances are you’re STILL going to look frail, small, and weak.

To that end, Nia took matters into her own hands and Beautiful Badass can to fruition.

I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to read the original draft back in March, and I have to say, I was impressed from the get go.  I couldn’t help but nod in agreement throughout, and I was really excited to see what Nia would come up with after going through all of her edits

She didn’t disappoint, that’s for sure.

So by now, you might be thinking to yourself: “how is this program any different than any other program I can purchase off the interwebz that’s catered towards women?”

Well, I could say how it includes ample warm-ups, foam rolling, emphasizes compound movements (squats, deadlifts, chin-ups), doesn’t include ANY machines, utilizes single leg work, focuses on the posterior chain and core stability, blah blah blah –  you know the drill.  But n reality, that can be said about programs geared towards dudes, too.

Nope – if I had to pick what separates this program from any other that’s geared towards women it would be this:  it has balls.

Yeah, I know:  I just used a “guy” term to describe a woman’s program, but I really couldn’t think of a better way to describe it.   Sorry!

In an age where women are treated like delicate snowflakes and are incessantly told that they can’t (or shouldn’t) lift any appreciate weight, Nia’s Beautiful Badass states otherwise.

Training like a girl doesn’t mean you’re relegated to “toning classes” or using those pointless abductor/adductor machines.  Please, no – step away, STEP AWAY!  Rather, all you need to get the body you truly desire is a barbell, minimal equipment, and a little attitude – and Nia shows you how.

For more information, visit the Beautiful Badass site HERE.

 

Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.

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Plus, get a copy of Tony’s Pick Things Up, a quick-tip guide to everything deadlift-related. See his butt? Yeah. It’s good. You should probably listen to him if you have any hope of getting a butt that good.

I don’t share email information. Ever. Because I’m not a jerk.

Comments for This Entry

  • Nia Shanks

    Ha ha ha ha! I've got a new sales pitch now: Beautiful Badass. Because it has balls. Ha ha! Thanks for sharing the love, Tony! I appreciate the feedback you provided for BB. Congrats again on the successful move!

    June 21, 2011 at 7:41 am | Reply to this comment

  • Greg R

    I want to be a beautiful badass. The new sit looks awesome Nia. Great work! Tony, to beat the mouse, you must become the mouse.

    June 21, 2011 at 8:03 am | Reply to this comment

  • Dean Somerset

    Tony - You failed because you were not prepared. Carry that slingshot around like a six-shooter in a wild west movie, and when you lock eyes on the little varmint, become the quick-draw McGraw mouse-hunting warrior you know you can be. Just hope it's not one of these guys, or it may be lights out for Tony. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvvjgDIC3e4&feature=related

    June 21, 2011 at 8:21 am | Reply to this comment

  • R Smith

    @Nia: This is all the sales pitch you need IMO: "Have you seen my deadlift?" Site looks great. RS

    June 21, 2011 at 9:24 am | Reply to this comment

  • Lauryn

    I think I just found my post-baby program. Thanks Tony and Nia!

    June 21, 2011 at 11:23 am | Reply to this comment

  • Derek

    I just appreciate that she has a ready made prison name in case she kills Tracy Anderson.

    June 21, 2011 at 2:50 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Cort the Sport

    Nia rocks....nice to have access to folks like her online because of the maybe 300 women who go to our gym every week there are only I'd say 3 (one being Joob/Juliet) of us who go at it hard and heavy. Nia reminds us we are capable of even more than we think we are! Love your blog btw.

    June 22, 2011 at 8:10 am | Reply to this comment

  • Cort the Sport

    Incidentally, do I qualify for "badass" status if I celebrated my 44th birthday by doing a set of 44 DLs @ 135 lbs? http://unblob.blogspot.com/2011/03/birthday-deadlifts.html

    June 22, 2011 at 8:20 am | Reply to this comment

  • Ben Brewster

    I think in general, both men and women are scared of the athletic/muscular looking chick...even a little muscle definition on a girl and most of my friends say that it is disgusting...I can show them a picture of Jamie Eason and they will tell me that she is way too "jacked" and her arms are "too big." Part of that is because none of them train and I think it brings out male insecurities to see a woman pushing her body like that, so they try to discourage it and say it isn't sexy. I personally find Jamie Eason to be one of the hottest girls out there and wish more women would start training this way. But until both guys and girls stop thinking that an ideal female body is a 6 foot tall, rail thin victoria's secret model, this kind of thing will be a hard sell for all but the most self-confident, independent and empowered women. Guys need to learn to love fit women (which won't happen until guys start being "fit" themselves) and women need to stop idolizing the skinny unrealistic models that are all over the media.

    June 22, 2011 at 10:04 am | Reply to this comment

  • Tad S

    Hats off to Nia. Something tells me that they won't be doing any deadlifts at the The Bar Method that just opened in Boston. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Introducing-The-Bar-Method-Boston-1529936.htm

    June 22, 2011 at 3:21 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Alex

    Hello, I purchased the E-book for my fiancee, but was saddened when no mention of foam rolling or warm ups besides, jump roping, were mentioned. May want to remove that portion from the blog since this blog post was a key reasoning for me purchasing the book. Just my two cents.

    June 22, 2011 at 6:08 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Kashka

    I hope she trademarked that. I know someone who could no longer use his slogan, because some douche took it and trademarked it.

    June 23, 2011 at 12:25 am | Reply to this comment

  • Tony Gentilcore

    @ Nia: not a problem at all! Always glad to help - see you in Boston soon.....;o) @ Dean: that bastard is STILL alluding me. I bought some poison, so hopefully that will work.

    June 23, 2011 at 7:31 am | Reply to this comment

  • Tony Gentilcore

    @ Lauryn - make sure you let Nia know how it goes if you choose to follow it! @ Derek: hahahahahaha. You're totally right. Never thought of that!

    June 23, 2011 at 7:32 am | Reply to this comment

  • Tony Gentilcore

    @ Cort the Sport: that is certifiable badass. Well done! @ Ben: I totally hear you. As much as I like Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Alba, etc. Women like Jamie, or even Jelena Abbou are undoubtedly what I prefer. Much like my girlfriend, they have curves and actually have shape. I LOVE that! @ Alex: my apologies for the mishap. My hope is that your fiance will still give the program a try cause I really feel she'll see some awesome results. If you'd like, to make up for it, shoot me an email and I can send you a proper warm-up.

    June 23, 2011 at 7:36 am | Reply to this comment

  • Lauryn

    @Tony I was talking with Cassandra about it yesterday. Gonna get her opinion on a few things, then probably take the plunge.

    June 23, 2011 at 11:35 am | Reply to this comment

  • Tony Gentilcore

    @ Lauryn: assuming you're going to use it POST-baby arriving, you should be good to go. Although, you may need to take a few weeks to kinda ease your way into it. Cass knows her stuff, though - listen to her....;o)

    June 25, 2011 at 5:02 am | Reply to this comment

  • Lauryn

    @Tony, thats the plan. Kiddo is scheduled for appearance between now and the 16th, and I'm itching to pick up lots of heavy stuff again. Cass does know her stuff. She's a great resource.

    June 27, 2011 at 11:39 am | Reply to this comment

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