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 chasing numbers to chase purpose instead.
From breaking records at Westside to redefining success beyond the bar, AJ brings perspective, grit, and the lessons learned from a lifetime in strength.
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 on and off the platform, and keeping the focus on lifting — not the drama.
From spotting at the American Pro to competing on it the next year, Amanda’s story is about courage, consistency, and doing it scared anyway.
Amanda Smith (@amandanicoleee_) 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 on and off the platform, and keeping the focus on lifting — not the drama.
From spotting at the American Pro to competing on it the next year, Amanda’s story is about courage, consistency, and doing it scared anyway.
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 powerlifting, what it was really like training at Westside, and the lessons he’s learned running his own gym and hosting meets.Unfiltered, old-school, and brutally honest, JP brings stories, humor, and perspective from a lifetime spent chasing strength.
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 of brutal injuries.
We dive into gym culture, learning from legends, old-school vs new-school lifting, and what it takes to stay in the sport when things get tough.
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 months after major surgery.
A 29-year veteran, molecular biologist, and pro strongwoman, Rebecca brings a unique perspective on crew culture, recovery, mindset longevity, and what it takes to keep lifting when everyone else burns out.
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 breaking 2100 after seven years of chasing it, and what those battles taught him about mindset and longevity.
Now a Lieutenant and training officer for the Bridgeport Fire Department, Carlos also breaks down the biggest myths in tactical fitness, the differences between tested and untested training, and why consistency will always beat hype.
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 of expectations, and what it means to qualify for Nationals after just one meet.
From his Houston roots to breaking records in Crocs, Devonte’s story proves what raw talent and relentless drive can accomplish in under 12 months.
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 5, and what it takes to push the limits in multi-ply powerlifting.
From training philosophy to the mindset behind historic numbers, Rodney brings raw insight into life at the very top of the sport.
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 faced along the way — including a near-suicide in 2018, brutal weight cuts, and the pressure that comes with living at the top.
From leading Bama Brick Squad Training to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Stacy’s story is raw, unfiltered, and all about pushing limits inside and outside the gym.
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 career that spans powerlifting, Highland Games, coaching, and podcasting.
Chad also opens up about his struggles with narcolepsy, depression, and suicidal battles — and how sharing them has inspired others. From the barbell to building a barndominium gym and writing his upcoming book, Chad’s story is about strength that goes far beyond lifting.
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, why sleep is the most underrated performance tool, and what it really takes to stay elite for nearly two decades.
Records fall, careers fade — but Blake’s blueprint for longevity is still climbing.
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 glossbrenner score at the WPO.
Elite totals, comeback stories, and a training philosophy that’s as tough as her lifts.
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 background in biochemistry, Naomi breaks down the science and mindset behind high-level strength — and how she built one of the cleanest squats in the game.
This episode is for lifters who want more than numbers — they want mastery.
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 giving back matters just as much as putting weight on the bar.
This one’s for the lifters building alone and showing up for more than totals.
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 lifters know: simple standards always win.
If you want hype, look somewhere else — if you want honesty, it’s right here.
Two years later and hundreds of pounds heavier on the bar — Jimmy Kolb (@kolbstrong) is back on The Powerlifter’s Den. The first human to bench 1,200, 1,300, and now 1,400+ pounds breaks down the mindset it takes to push the impossible even further. From reverse grip secrets to what’s next in his chase for 1,500, Jimmy opens up about staying grounded, staying dangerous, and why he’ll never settle.
Tommye Arnold (@tommye_teamstorm) joins Cam to prove that strength really doesn’t come with an age limit. As the owner of Perfect Storm Gym, Tommye holds top 10 spots in raw, single-ply, and multiply for women over 60 — and she’s not done. She opens up about switching from bodybuilding to powerlifting at 53, building a community that keeps lifters hooked, and why equipped lifting keeps you in the game longer.
From neck injuries to three bomb-outs in a row, Tommye’s comeback mindset is stubborn, real, and exactly what the sport needs.
Patrick Warren (@pdubs1019) joins Cam to break down how a former college cross-country runner turned into a WPO podium finisher. Patrick talks about stepping away and then coming back stronger with the Barbell 4:13 crew, why multiply lifting still matters, and what’s killing real competition in powerlifting today.
From steel shop days to Vegas lifts, this one’s about standards, loyalty, and keeping the pressure on the platform — where it belongs.
Heidi Howar (@mommy_n_ry_lifts) joins Cam to talk about chasing massive numbers, staying mentally sharp, and what it took to come back from a broken arm to total 11x her bodyweight. Known for her raw and multiply accomplishments — including a 685 squat at 148 and a 535 deadlift at 131 — Heidi brings both power and perspective.
From gear talk to first meet advice, this one’s equal parts grit, humor, and straight-up strength.
In Episode 95 of The Powerlifter’s Den, Cam is joined by Shawna Mendelson-Curry (@mendelsonstrength), a veteran of the sport with over 25 years on the platform and 20 years of coaching experience. From stepping out of her brother Scot Mendelson’s shadow to building her own legacy through Blue Collar Barbell, Shawna shares her journey through equipped lifting, coaching philosophy, and the evolution of women in powerlifting.
We dive into the myths about gear, what makes a real coach, and what it takes to stay in the game long enough to shape the next generation.