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Published 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.
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From the feed
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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 powerlifting better than he found it, some wild meet stories, and the mentality behind Adapt or Die after years of serious injuries and setbacks. We also discuss the tomfoolery of internet clowns attempting to powerlift for clout.
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 picked up from decades of competing, coaching, and being around some of the strongest people in the sport. A conversation about powerlifting history, training, and the people who helped shape it.
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 comparison and social media, the “mass moves mass” argument, and what she learned through injury, weight loss, and depression.
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 pursuit of becoming the first British man to squat 1,000 pounds .
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 raw with wraps, Delroy has proven that longevity is one of the greatest achievements in strength sports.We dive into his transition from Olympic lifting to powerlifting, the mindset that's kept him competing for over 20 years, and the incredible story of squatting 1010 pounds with only two people in the gym. Delroy also reflects on recovering from a career threatening elbow injury, pulling 909 pounds, and why his next mission is to become one of the few lifters to deadlift 400kg in competition at over 50 years old.
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 as a world champion powerlifter to building one of the top coaching teams in strength sports. We dive into developing elite athletes, why too many new lifters skip the fundamentals, gym etiquette, and the mindset required to compete at the highest level. He also opens up about overcoming multiple career threatening injuries, his goal of becoming a world champion in both powerlifting and strongman, and what it takes to stay in the game for over two decades. Outside of strength sports, we talk about Niko's life on the water as a commercial tuna fisherman and his experience starring on Discovery Channel's Harpoon Hunters , making for one of the most unique conversations we've had on the show.
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 the all time records at 242 in single ply, multi ply, and unlimited , Chris has totaled as much as 2870 pounds , squatted an all time world record 1160 pounds , and pulled some of the biggest deadlifts ever performed by an American lifter. We dive into the evolution of equipped powerlifting, his rise through the ranks, what it takes to stay at the top for nearly two decades, and the mindset required to continually push the limits of human performance. If you're a fan of big squats, equipped lifting, and powerlifting history, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
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 bench shirts over the last 30 years, and the mindset it took to become one of the greatest bench pressers in history. We also discuss his legendary bodyweight and calorie intake, life after competition, and a wild trip to Ukraine to compete that has to be heard to be believed.If you're a fan of powerlifting history, bench pressing, and the golden era of the sport, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
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 his love for strength sports, eventually leading him to winning Powerlifting America Bench Nationals and chasing bigger goals in equipped lifting. We dive into training culture, why consistency beats intensity, and the importance of staying curious in a sport where too many people think there’s only one correct way to train. We also talk about balancing lifting with life outside the gym, overcoming injuries including a torn ACL and hip issues, and stories from legends like Bill Gillespie, Brent Tracey, and the Cell Block crew. This episode is packed with insight for lifters who want to keep learning, evolving, and enjoying the process.
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 driven decision making, individualized programming, and structured experimentation. We dive deep into fatigue management, emerging training strategies, and velocity based training (VBT), discussing how lifters can make better in the moment decisions instead of blindly following a spreadsheet. Mike also breaks down common misconceptions around performance, why you do not need to feel your best to perform your best, and how predictable preparation leads to consistent results on the platform. From world level coaching to long term injury management and building systems that actually work in the real world, this episode is packed with practical insight for lifters, coaches, and anyone trying to train smarter.
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 DOTS while preparing to make the jump into multi ply competition. Alex opens up about how athletics shaped his early years, how powerlifting gave him new direction, and how the loss of one of his best friends became the catalyst for completely changing his life. From grief, growth, and discipline to finding the right crew and learning how to truly live with intention, this episode dives into the mindset behind building not just strength, but a life worth being proud of. We also talk about his evolution in the sport, transitioning into equipped lifting, and why powerlifting can be one of the most powerful tools for personal transformation
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.
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 Westside-influenced lifters to working with pilots and aircrew in high-stress environments. We dive into what actually matters in training, why there is no “secret sauce,” and how overcomplicating the process is holding lifters back. We also talk about the realities of equipped lifting, the misconception that gear does the work for you, and what it takes to perform both on the platform and in real-world high-pressure situations. From bombing out at the Arnold to building consistency over time, this episode is all about simplifying the process and focusing on what actually drives progress.
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 background. We dive into what it takes to stay competitive at a high level into your 40s, how his time in the military shaped his approach to training and life, and the realities of competing drug-tested while still pushing elite numbers. We also get into longevity in the sport, adapting training as you age, and what separates lifters who last from those who burn out. If you’re chasing strength for the long haul, this one hits
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 Arnold stage and becoming one of the most dominant athletes in strongman. We dive into what it takes to reach that level, how she balances high-level competition with life outside the sport, and the mindset behind her mantra: “Disrespect the Impossible.” We also talk about her transition through different phases of strength sports, upcoming competitions across the world, and why being elite doesn’t have to come at the cost of everything else in your life.
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 friend, to building elite strength while working full-time shift hours in a windmill factory. We dive into the mindset and grit required to progress in the sport, why he doesn’t believe in overcomplicating training, and the myths around accessories, diet, and what it really takes to get strong. He also opens up about overcoming a grade 2 quad tear, coming back stronger, and why focusing on the long game is the only way to succeed in powerlifting. This episode is raw, direct, and centered around one thing — doing what it takes to keep progressing.
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 to the Arnold , what it means to be in the tiny group of lifters to bench 1000+ in poly, and becoming just the second person ever to squat and bench 1000+ in the same meet . The two also dive into bench shirts, why people misunderstand equipped lifting, the mindset behind chasing huge numbers, and what still drives Tony to keep pushing the limit. They also touch on EverStrong , the mission he cofounded with his wife Shelly, and the goals he’s still chasing: 1000+ single ply, 1100+ single/multi ply, and 1300+ unlimited . Follow Tony: IG: @sirbenchalot1k TikTok: @sirbenchalot1k Shop merch: plden.com Sponsored by Wicked Wolf Beard Co.
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 the mindset required to continue pushing forward in a sport that demands consistency, patience, and resilience. Connie shares the highs, the struggles, and what keeps her motivated to keep chasing strength. From training philosophy to the realities of competing, this episode is a conversation about growth, persistence, and carving out your own path in the iron game.
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 to building one of the most respected bench press legacies in powerlifting. We dive into what it takes to stay competitive for decades, how strength training differs between athletes and powerlifters, and why discipline and consistency are the real keys to longevity in the sport. We also talk about the mindset required to push world-class weights, lessons learned from the coaching world, and how Bill continues to inspire lifters across generations. If you love powerlifting history, elite bench pressing, and hard-earned wisdom from someone who’s truly lived the strength life — this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
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, and the lessons learned from decades of competing. We also dive into his final meet, Holy Wars III , reflecting on the preparation, the emotions behind closing out a competitive career, and what it means to go out on your own terms. From old-school lifting stories to hard-earned wisdom, this episode captures the mentality of a lifter who never believed in doing things halfway. If you believe moderation is overrated and commitment is everything, this episode is for you. 💪🎙️
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 20, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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