Don’t be Dogmatic About Anything

Today, I sat down with Andrew G. Berry, a coach in the bodybuilding and fitness industry, who works with NPC and IFBB athletes, as well as clients from the general population.

With over 20 years of experience in personal training and coaching, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his clients. Andrew spent many years working with and under John Meadows, of Mountaindog1 fame, and credits much of his approach to the guidance and friendship he received from John.

Andrew's proudest moment as a coach has been helping his wife, Rachael, who turned pro at the 2017 NPC Nationals and coaching her through her IFBB Pro bikini career. He resides in Tampa, Florida, with Rachael and their dachshund son, Percy.

Andrew's three-decade journey through competitive bodybuilding and high-level coaching provides a blueprint for developing the multifaceted skill set required to guide athletes through the complexities of elite performance. His insights reveal that exceptional coaching transcends exercise prescription—it encompasses relationship building, ethical decision-making, and the cultivation of an anti-fragile mindset development. The following principles distill Andrew's approach into actionable frameworks for strength and conditioning professionals committed to elevating both their craft and their athletes' potential.

10 Key Takeaways from Don't Be Dogmatic About Anything

Earn Your Stripes Through Service, Not Salary

Andrew's coaching foundation was built through years of unpaid service—contributing articles to John Meadows' website, helping peers without compensation, and investing in relationships before monetization. His philosophy centers on demonstrating competence through action rather than marketing claims. This approach yielded exponential returns: direct mentorship from industry legends, hands-on experience with diverse populations, and a reputation built on demonstrated results rather than promotional content.

Source-Based Learning: Go Upstream for Knowledge

Andrew's methodology of learning directly from originators like Dante Trudell and John Meadows illustrates the critical importance of accessing primary sources rather than diluted interpretations. His investment in Dante's coaching program—six detailed emails with individualized programming—provided a comprehensive understanding of training philosophy, nutritional strategies, and the proper hierarchical placement of performance-enhancing interventions within the broader coaching framework.

Evidence-Based Practice Requires Individual Integration

Andrew emphasizes the distinction between research application and clinical reality. Research data represents mean responses from populations that rarely match the specific demands of elite athletes—particularly those pursuing extreme body composition goals. His approach leverages research as foundational knowledge while prioritizing individual physiological responses, systematic feedback collection, and adaptive programming based on real-world outcomes rather than theoretical projections.

Master the Art-Science Integration

Our conversation revealed Andrew's understanding that coaching effectiveness emerges from the skillful marriage of scientific knowledge with artistic application. He recognizes that elite coaches like Chris Aceto and George Farah utilize similar research foundations through vastly different methodological approaches, each yielding exceptional results when properly individualized to athlete needs and response patterns.

Relationship-Driven Retention and Results

Andrew measures coaching success through retention rates rather than acquisition metrics. His implementation of Loom video check-ins demonstrates strategic relationship building—allowing clients to experience vocal inflection, facial expressions, and genuine engagement that transcends traditional written communication. This approach enhances adherence, reduces client turnover, and ultimately improves training outcomes by fostering greater trust and connection.

Ethical Boundaries Protect Both Coach and Athlete

Andrew maintains clear professional boundaries regarding intervention recommendations, particularly with performance-enhancing substances and extreme protocols. His refusal to work with DNP or excessive diuretic protocols demonstrates professional integrity. He operates under the principle that any recommendation should be defensible if publicly scrutinized, ensuring both athlete safety and professional reputation remain intact.

Systematic Feedback Collection Drives Adaptation

Andrew's detailed check-in forms capture comprehensive data, including training performance metrics, subjective wellness indicators, lifestyle factors, and precise supplementation details. This systematic approach ensures programming modifications are based on objective data patterns rather than subjective impressions, enabling proactive rather than reactive coaching adjustments throughout training cycles.

Post-Competition/Peak Phase Management Is Critical

Andrew emphasizes that post-competition management often determines the success of subsequent competitive cycles. His contrasting examples—one athlete maintaining stage-ready conditioning seven weeks post-show versus another gaining 40 pounds in three weeks—illustrate the critical importance of structured transition protocols that manage psychological and physiological recovery while establishing sustainable training rhythms.

Authenticity in Professional Persona

Andrew's emphasis on authentic professional presentation builds sustainable coaching relationships. His experience of not recognizing a former client due to physical changes highlighted the importance of genuine personal connection beyond superficial interactions. Authenticity attracts compatible clients while repelling poor fits, ultimately improving both coach satisfaction and athlete outcomes.

Competitive Training as Character Development

Andrew frames bodybuilding as a "privilege"—an opportunity for comprehensive personal development that extends far beyond physical adaptation. The organizational skills, time management, and anti-fragile mindset developed through competitive preparation transfer directly to enhanced performance in other life domains. This perspective transforms challenging training phases from mere physical stress into opportunities for psychological fortification and character development.

The pathway to coaching mastery demands technical precision balanced with authentic human connection, creating an environment where athletes can achieve not just physical transformation, but comprehensive personal development that serves them throughout their competitive careers and beyond.

Find Andrew

Website - bodyberry.com

Instagram - @berryswole

YouTube - UNWRACKEDPODCAST

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