PODCAST · health
PL DEN | The Powerlifter's Den
by Cam Smith
Welcome to The Powerlifter’s Den — the ultimate hangout for lifters, strength athletes, and iron addicts. Hosted by Cam Smith, this podcast dives deep into the world of powerlifting, featuring real conversations with top lifters, coaches, and industry experts. Whether you're chasing PRs, building your total, or just love talking shop about squats, bench, and deadlifts, you've found your tribe. Check out our official apparel store at PLDEN.COM , built for lifters who live the lifestyle of strength.
Episodes
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Episode 149: Purpose, Sobriety & Adaptive Strength ft. Jared Simmons
Jared Simmons joins The Powerlifter’s Den to talk about a strength journey built around more than just the total. From getting sober and finding his way back into the weight room, to decades in strength sports, coaching, gym ownership, and helping create more opportunities for adaptive athletes,...
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Episode 148: How to Be an Elite Bodybuilder and Powerlifter ft. Hunter Henderson
In Episode 148 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Hunter Henderson, a professional powerlifter and bodybuilder who has set multiple squat records and is currently ranked 4th in the world overall. Hunter talks about returning to the platform after three years away, the relationship…
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Episode 147: There is No Optimal ft. Joe Sullivan
In Episode 147 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Joe Sullivan, former 220 lb all-time world record holder and longtime coach who has helped other lifters reach world-record performances of their own. Joe talks about why “optimal” doesn’t exist in performance coaching, leaving...
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Episode 146: How the GOAT of Powerlifting Trains ft. Ed Coan
In Episode 146 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Ed Coan, widely regarded as the greatest powerlifter of all time. Ed talks about the lifters who influenced him, including Bill Kazmaier, old-school training and competition, the evolution of powerlifting, SWIS, and the lessons he’s…
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Episode 145: Multiply Mom vs. Powerlifting Trolls ft. Tara Duncan
In Episode 145 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Tara Duncan, a 10-year powerlifter with experience in both raw and multiply, a 705 lb squat, and pro totals in three weight classes. We talk about her transition into geared lifting, raising a daughter who now powerlifts, the downside of...
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Epsidoe 144: Chasing 1000lb RAW Squat ft. Mason Mills
In Episode 144 of The Powerlifter's Den, Cam sits down with Mason Mills, a 1000kg Big Dogs totaler, full-time coach, and one of the strongest heavyweight powerlifters in the UK. We discuss competing around the world, why progress isn't always linear, memorable stories from Big Dogs, and his…
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Episode 143: Longevity for Powerlifters and Weightlifters ft. Delroy McQueen
In Episode 143 of The Powerlifter's Den, Cam sits down with Delroy McQueen, a lifter whose career has spanned more than two decades across both Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting. From competing internationally in weightlifting to building an elite career in single ply, multi ply, raw, and…
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Episode 142: Coaching the Strongest in the World ft. Niko "Greek Gloiath" Chaprales
In Episode 142 of The Powerlifter's Den, Cam sits down with Niko Chaprales—former IPL Raw 308 World Champion, professional strongman, and strength coach to some of the biggest names in the sport, including Evan Singleton, Inez Carrasquillo, and Katie Blunden. Niko shares his journey from retiring...
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Episode 141: Single Ply, Multi Ply, Unlimited World Records ft. Chris Della Fave
In Episode 141 of The Powerlifter's Den, Cam sits down with one of the most accomplished equipped powerlifters in history, Chris Della Fave. Since entering the sport in 2007 after his football career at the University of Rhode Island, Chris has built a resume that few lifters can match. Holding…
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Episode 140: Bench Monster in Ukraine ft. Ryan Kennelly
In Episode 140 of The Powerlifter's Den, Cam sits down with Ryan Kennelly, the first man to ever bench press 800 pounds and the former all time world record holder with a 1075 lb bench at 308.Ryan shares stories from his rise through the sport, meeting Louie Simmons in 2001, the evolution of…
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Episode 139: Consistency Beats Intensity ft. Duncan Hundley
In Episode 139 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Duncan Hundley, director of strength and conditioning at Gray Collegiate Academy and a lifter with over 11 years of experience in both raw and equipped powerlifting. Duncan shares how watching World’s Strongest Man and WWE first sparked...
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Episode 138: Fatigue Management, VBT, and Elite Performance ft. Mike Tuchscherer
In Episode 138 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with one of the most respected coaches and thinkers in powerlifting, Mike Tuchscherer. As the founder of Reactive Training Systems and a coach with nearly 30 years in the sport, Mike has helped shape modern approaches to training through data...
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Episode 137: Hometown Homie Totals 2K RAW ft. Alex Freeman
In Episode 137 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Alexander Freeman, someone he actually went to high school with, making this episode a little more personal than most. Since those days, Alex has transformed himself into a serious force in powerlifting, building a 2000 raw total and 500...
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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...
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Episode 135: EliteFTS Mentoring and Powerlifting in Oklahoma ft. Sam Brown
In Episode 135 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Sam Brown — a human performance expert for the United States Air Force, McGill Method Certified Practitioner, and multi-ply lifter with a 2100+ total. Sam shares his journey from training at elitefts and learning under…
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Episode 134: Monster Drug Free and Masters Total ft. Alejandro Wickham
This week on The Powerlifter’s Den, we sit down with Alejandro Wickham—a 40-year-old masters lifter proving that elite performance doesn’t have an expiration date. Alejandro has totaled over 2070 lbs in tested competition while balancing the discipline and mindset forged through his military...
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Episode 133: 4X World's Strongest Woman ft. Erin Murray
In Episode 133 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Erin Murray — 4x World’s Strongest Woman and one of the only athletes in strength sports to hold world titles across multiple weight classes. Erin shares her journey from getting into lifting as part of recovery, to competing on the…
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Episode 132: Traveling the World and Smashing Big Totals ft. Karl Wedel
In Episode 132 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Karl Wedel — an international lifter with his sights set on a 1080kg total at ABS Pro 8, where he’ll face off against current title holder Nicolas Du Preez. Karl shares his journey from getting into powerlifting just to compete with a...
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Episode 131: 1000+ Bench and Squat ft. Tony Carlino
This week on The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Tony Carlino—elite equipped bencher, full power competitor, and one of the few lifters in history to bench over 1000 pounds in multiply, with a massive 1036 bench in 2024. Tony talks about how he got hooked on powerlifting after watching Road...
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Episode 130: Powerlifting Nutrition and Optimization ft. Connie Nightingale
In Episode 130 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Connie to talk about her journey through the sport of powerlifting and what it takes to keep showing up when the work gets hard. We dive into how she found her way into lifting, the lessons learned through training and competition, and…
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Episode 129: NFL Strength Coaching and 50+ Years Experience ft. Bill Gillespie
In Episode 129 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with legendary bench presser Bill Gillespie — a world record holder, elite masters competitor, and former NFL and college strength coach. Bill shares stories from decades in the iron game, from coaching athletes at the highest levels of sport...
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Episode 128: Moderation is for Cowards ft. Bob Merkh
In this episode of The Powerlifter’s Den, we sit down with Bob Merkh to talk about his new book Moderation for Cowards, now available on Amazon, and the mindset behind a lifetime under the bar. Bob breaks down the philosophy that drove the book, why embracing intensity matters in strength sports,...
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Episode 127: Building to Top 10 All Time ft. Lyndsay Bramble
In Episode 127 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Lyndsay Bramble — Holy Wars competitor, WPO athlete, and a lifter who has put a 655 lb squat on the platform while climbing into the top ranks of the sport. With a 6th all-time squat and 8th all-time total, Lyndsay opens up about what it...
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Episode 126: From CA to EliteFTS and the WPO ft. Jake Seibert
In Episode 126 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Jake Seibert — a lifter who’s totaled over 2400, squatted over 1000 pounds, and tested himself on the WPO stage. This episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to perform at the highest level of powerlifting without losing...
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Episode 125: From Near Death to Elite Strength ft. Carina Davis
In Episode 125 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Carina Davis — former elite full power lifter, bench-only specialist, meet director, and one of the strongest women to ever compete in the sport. Once ranked among the best total, squat, and bench lifters in powerlifting, Carina opens up...
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Episode 124: Mental Strength Through Powerlifting ft. Delco Jesus
On Episode 124 of The Powerlifter’s Den, we’re joined by Delco Jesus — a lifter whose journey is built on struggle, discipline, and earned perspective. From losing over 100 pounds to grinding out a 705lb squat on one of the hardest days of his life, Delco opens up about what powerlifting has…
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Episode 123: World Record Squats and Going Out On Your Shield ft. Shane Haller
On Episode 124 of The Powerlifter’s Den, we’re joined by Shane Haller — former ATWR holder, decade-long competitor, and now full-time coach with an eye on the bigger picture of the sport. Shane dives into his journey from lifting for football and wrestling to totaling 2430 in wraps, squatting 925...
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Episode 122: The Truth About Powerlifting Coaching ft. MJ Greeno
In this episode of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Michael “MJ” Greeno, one of the most respected coaches in powerlifting with nearly 30 years in the sport. While MJ downplays his own lifting career, his coaching résumé speaks for itself — his athletes make up 20% of the top raw totals…
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Episode 121: Squat ATWRs and KOTP/QOTP meet ft. Jordan Wong
In this episode of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Jordan Wong — gym owner, meet director, and one of the greatest squatters of all time. A 2x All-Time World Record holder at 220, Jordan is chasing one final run at the ATWR and a 2,000 lb total before hanging it up. Jordan opens up…
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Episode 120: Chasing A 3000lb Total ft. Kyle Shreve
In this episode of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Kyle Shreve, a Detroit-based electrician and multi-ply / unlimited powerlifter whose path into the sport was shaped by Westside Barbell influence, hard work, and using the gym as a way out of depression. Kyle talks about starting his...
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Episode 119: Heaviest Teen Total Ever! ft. JT Krivinskas
In this episode of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with JT Krivinskas — the University of New Haven football player who also happens to hold the heaviest teenage squat and total of all time. At just 19, JT already has a top-15 all-time total and top-12 squat in the 242 class… and he’s…
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Episode 118: ATWR Squat and Texas Powerlifting ft. Tyler Williamson
In this episode of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam sits down with Tyler Williamson to break down his journey through the sport of powerlifting — from early training days to the mindset it takes to chase long-term success under the bar. Tyler opens up about the discipline, setbacks, and sacrifices...
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Episode 117: From National Gymnastics Champ to ATWR Squat ft. Steph Mager
Steph Mager (@stephm.fit) went from collegiate gymnast to ATWR-holding powerlifter in just a few short years — and she didn’t take the easy route to get there. In this episode, Steph sits down with Cam to talk about walking away from gymnastics after a national title, finding powerlifting by...
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Episode 116: From Life Support to Liftetime PR ft. Jared Maynard
Jared Maynard (@jared.unbreakable) is a strength coach, physical therapist, and powerlifter whose story is one of the most powerful comebacks in the sport. In 2023, Jared was diagnosed with a rare and often fatal immune condition (HLH), spent weeks in the ICU, lost over 40 lbs of muscle, and had…
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Episode 115: 5X Canda's Strongest Woman and ATWRs ft. Sam Belliveau
Sam Belliveau (@sambelliveauu) is a 5x Canada’s Strongest Woman, North America’s Strongest Woman, and a world record holder in the circus dumbbell. In this episode, Sam sits down with Cam to talk about her journey from hockey player to powerlifter to one of the most dominant strongwomen in the...
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Episode 114: Westside Stories and 2900 total ft. AJ Roberts
AJ Roberts is a Westside Barbell legend, former world-record-holding powerlifter, and one of the few lifters to total nearly 2,900 lbs. In this episode, Cam sits down with AJ to talk about his journey under Louie Simmons, the evolution of strength culture, and what happens when you step away from...
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Episode 113 : Do It Scared Anyway ft. Amanda Smith
Amanda Smith (@thesmithmachine75) is one of powerlifting’s rising stars — a 631 DOTS lifter who’s already competed internationally and has her sights set on the IPF stage and Sheffield. In this episode, Cam talks with Amanda about her comeback from life’s toughest chapters, rebuilding confidence…
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Episode 112: Raw Strength and Real Talk ft. JP Carroll
JP Carroll (@jp_carroll_fyfm) has spent 15 years under the bar — benching 600 raw, totaling 2282 lbs, training with some of the strongest crews in the country, and helping shape powerlifting’s culture from the inside. In this episode, JP joins Cam to talk about his journey from football to...
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Episode 111: Rochester's First 2K Raw Total ft. Kyle Sheridan
Kyle Sheridan (@sheridanstrength) is a 2000+ total lifter, coach, and co-owner of Legends 24/7 Gym. In this episode, Kyle talks about powerlifting through the eras — from his early bodybuilding days and training under Paul Childress to building The Crew at Legends and bouncing back from a string…
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Episode 110: 29 Years of Powerlifting ft. Rebecca Roberts
Rebecca Roberts (@notmrsdonjohnson) has been competing for nearly three decades as a powerlifter and strongwoman — and she’s still breaking barriers. In this episode, Cam sits down with Rebecca to talk about her journey from early days on the platform to coming back with a 600lb deadlift just 8...
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Episode 109: Tactical Fitness and 2100 Raw Total ft. Carlos Reyes
Carlos Reyes (@creyes242) has spent nearly two decades in strength sports — from winning 3x amateur national titles in strongman to chasing down a 2101 total in powerlifting. In this episode, Cam talks with Carlos about training under Derek Poundstone’s CT Strength Crew, the long road to finally...
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Episode 108: 2400+ Raw Total in First Meet ft. Devonte Lewis
Devonte Lewis (@liftsbylew) has been in powerlifting for less than a year, but he’s already rewritten the record books with the third highest drug-tested total ever and the highest drug-tested subtotal in history. In this episode, Cam talks with Devonte about his rapid rise, managing the pressure...
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Episode 107: 3rd Person to Ever Total 3K ft. Rodney Woodward Jr
Rodney Woodward Jr. (@rwjr1085) just locked in a massive 3,025 lb total, cementing himself among the strongest lifters in the game. In this episode, Cam sits down with Rodney to talk about the journey to one of the biggest totals of all time, competing at Blue Collar Barbell’s Strength of Heroes…
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Episode 106: ATWR and Mental Health ft. Stacy "Bama" Burr
Stacy “Bama” Burr (@bamaburr) is a world-record-setting powerlifter, strongman competitor, coach, and owner of Bad Dog Barbell. In this episode, Cam sits down with Bama to talk about chasing the highest Wilks score in history, the mindset of becoming the Best in the World, and the battles she…
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Episode 105: Powerlifting, Mental Health, and Moving Forward ft. Chad Aichs
Chad Aichs has been in the game since 1997, with achievements like a 1000lb drug-free squat and decades of competition experience. In this episode, Cam and Chad dive into the mental side of lifting and life, why recovery and sleep matter more than just “training hard,” and the lessons from a…
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Episode 104: Strongest 181 Total and Heavy Singles ft. Blake Lehew
Blake Lehew (@deadliftingorangutan) has been competing for over 16 years, breaking John Haack’s 181 record and pushing past a 2K total while building one of the most consistent careers in powerlifting. In this episode, he talks with Cam about the truth behind training heavy singles year-round…
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Episode 103: From ACL Rupture to ATWR ft. Jenna Odziana
Jenna Odziana (@jodziana) went from rupturing her ACL to breaking an all-time world record squat in the same year. In this episode, she sits down with Cam to talk about resilience, the cardio myths holding lifters back, and what it takes to win the Women’s ProAm while chasing a 700 squat and 700...
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Episode 102: Precision, Pain, and Powerlifting ft. Naomi Sheppard
Naomi Sheppard (@naomi.phoenixperformance) joins Cam to talk about breaking multiple all-time world records, rebuilding after a broken back, and why most lifters are wasting time with programs that ignore phases, recovery, and real structure. With over 13 years of coaching experience and a...
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Episode 101: WPO Podiums and Self Sufficiency ft. Travis McKinney
Travis McKinney (@tkinneyv2.0) joins Cam to talk about being self-coached, multiply-built, and relentlessly committed to lifting and leading. From a 1124 squat at 220 to coaching a 50-lifter high school program and Special Olympics team, Travis breaks down how to go elite without a crew — and why...
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Episode 100: Canada's Strongest Powerlifter ft. Justin Zottl
Justin Zottl (@fullzottl) joins Cam to talk about being the strongest Canadian powerlifter ever and why overthinking ruins real strength. From a national champion cyclist at 17 to one of the heaviest squats in his class, Justin shares raw stories about lifting through divorce, loss, and why his...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to The Powerlifter’s Den — the ultimate hangout for lifters, strength athletes, and iron addicts. Hosted by Cam Smith, this podcast dives deep into the world of powerlifting, featuring real conversations with top lifters, coaches, and industry experts. Whether you're chasing PRs, building your total, or just love talking shop about squats, bench, and deadlifts, you've found your tribe. Check out our official apparel store at PLDEN.COM , built for lifters who live the lifestyle of strength.
HOSTED BY
Cam Smith
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does PL DEN | The Powerlifter's Den have?
PL DEN | The Powerlifter's Den currently has 149 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is PL DEN | The Powerlifter's Den about?
Welcome to The Powerlifter’s Den — the ultimate hangout for lifters, strength athletes, and iron addicts. Hosted by Cam Smith, this podcast dives deep into the world of powerlifting, featuring real conversations with top lifters, coaches, and industry experts. Whether you're chasing PRs, building...
How often does PL DEN | The Powerlifter's Den release new episodes?
PL DEN | The Powerlifter's Den publishes regularly with 149 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to PL DEN | The Powerlifter's Den?
You can listen to PL DEN | The Powerlifter's Den on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts PL DEN | The Powerlifter's Den?
PL DEN | The Powerlifter's Den is created and hosted by Cam Smith.
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