Episode 136: A Big Cycle Isn't the Best Cycle ft. RJ Butcher

In Episode 136 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with RJ Butcher — a lifter who’s been competing since 2009 and has built his career through experience, resilience, and time under the bar.RJ shares his journey from training in old-school gyms to stepping on the platform across multiple weight classes, totaling 2104 at 242 in wraps, and now setting his sights on multiply. We dive into the reality of staying in the sport long-term, the toll injuries take, and why progress isn’t always clean or pretty.From ruptures and tears to continuing to show up anyway, RJ talks about what it really means to push forward when everything hurts — physically and mentally. We also get into gym culture, competition mindset, and lessons learned from being around some of the sport’s most respected lifters.This episode is about longevity, grit, and earning every pound the hard way.