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.
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 training in 2017, stepping on the platform for the first time in 2021, and building himself into a serious competitor through discipline and consistency.We get into training at RPS, the mindset required for unlimited lifting, what separates real training environments from commercial gyms, and what it means to truly establish yourself as a lifter. With a 2920 total at NOTB and bigger goals still ahead, this episode is about grit, identity, and earning everything you get under the bar.
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 nowhere near done.We get into how he started lifting in his garage at 15, the moment a Facebook-Marketplace bench shirt changed his life, and what it was like building himself into an elite lifter before he was legally allowed to drink. JT opens up about missing 1100, coming back to smoke it when it mattered, balancing college football and powerlifting, and how he thinks young lifters should approach the sport.Raw, driven, and already built like a veteran — this is one of the strongest 19-year-olds to ever touch a barbell.
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 required to keep progressing when motivation fades and pressure rises.Whether you’re a competitor or just someone obsessed with getting stronger, this episode dives into what it really takes to level up — mentally and physically.
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 accident, and learning how to fail forward after bombing a meet and immediately signing up for another.We dive into raw vs equipped culture, training in an environment that actually raises your standard, and the mindset shift from “just training” to training to win.
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 to relearn basic functions — walking, talking, breathing on his own. A year later, he returned to the platform and pulled a lifetime deadlift PR while navigating progressive vision loss.In this episode, Jared and Cam dive into resilience, rebuilding from rock bottom, the flaws in powerlifting rehab, and the mindset behind Jared’s message: “You’re not done yet.”
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 world. She opens up about training at Westside Barbell, rebuilding after a major pelvis injury, and the no-excuses mindset that keeps her climbing to the top of every stage she steps on.If you love strength, grit, and athletes who train hard and stay humble — this is your episode.
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.
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.