Firearms Nation Podcast

🎙️ **New Episode Alert: From Trigger Pulls to Team Beretta: The Jess Mauro Journey!**

Hey there, podcast fam! 🔫🎯 Ready to dive into the thrilling world of competitive shooting? Our latest episode features none other than the incredible Jess Mauro, a rising star in the competitive shooting scene, who just landed a coveted sponsorship deal with Team Beretta! 🌟🔥

In this adrenaline-packed episode, we sit down with Jess to hear the inside scoop on her journey from novice shooter to landing a sponsorship that many dream of. Get ready for:

🔹 **Behind the Scenes:** Discover the untold story of Jess's early days, where her passion for shooting was sparked and how she tirelessly honed her skills to become the sharpshooter she is today.

🔹 **The Grind to Greatness:** Join us as Jess opens up about her passion for fitness, doing two workouts a day but also has time for puzzles and computer games. She still finds time to shoot 200-300 rounds every day!

🔹 **The Beretta Connection:** Ever wondered what it takes to secure a sponsorship deal with a powerhouse like Team Beretta? Jess spills the beans on her experience, offering insights into the process, the excitement, and what it means to represent such an iconic brand.

🔹 **Training Tips and Techniques:** Whether you're a seasoned competitor or just starting out, Jess shares her top training strategies and techniques that have helped her rise to the top of her game. Get ready to level up your shooting skills!

This episode is a must-listen for sports enthusiasts, shooting aficionados, and anyone captivated by tales of determination, success, and the pursuit of excellence. Jess Mauro's story is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and seizing opportunities.

So, grab your favorite pair of headphones and join us on this electrifying journey with Jess Mauro. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share the episode with your fellow podcast enthusiasts. And remember, whether you're a fan of firearms or a newcomer to the shooting world, Jess's journey will leave you inspired and motivated to chase your dreams – one alpha at a time! 🔝🏆

Joel Park is a grandmaster USPSA competitive shooter. He is also an instructor in the Practical Shooting Training Group alongside world champion Ben Stoeger and the "professor", Hwansik Kim. These instructors have really taken the time to think about practical shooting and redefined the training techniques that have been taught for so many years. Joel and the other instructors are not shy about sharing entire classes online so everyone can learn and see what they are teaching. The nice thing about Joel is that he has an easy way about him and relays his ideas on shooting and teaching in a concise way.

In this podcast you'll hear:

–Why vision is the key to recoil control.

–How muscling the grip does not help your shooting.

–What Joel thinks about using dryfire to work out problems in shooting.

Links mentioned:

Practical Shooting Training Group

Joel's Instagram

Jack DiCristofalo is a 30-year veteran of a major metropolitan police department. During those years, Jack served on patrol, and tactical units as well as becoming a homicide investigator. Jack also served on the department's SWAT team as a sniper/instructor. As Jack sees the light at the end of the tunnel, he transferred all his skills to be a firearms instructor. Jack was involved in two shootings, which we discussed. Jack's background in tactics and homicide investigations gives him a unique insight into what works when it comes to winning gunfights.

Recently, Jack was involved in establishing his department's "one gun" program where the agency is going to a new platform with red dot sights. Jack also has his own training company "On Target Training and Consulting" which he plans to teach more once he retires from the department.

In this episode, we discuss:

–How training consistently helped him in his shootings.

–Why he feels red dots on guns are good for all officers.

–What officers should focus on between speed and accuracy.

Links mentioned:

On Target Training and Consulting

Jack's Instagram

In this captivating episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jay Beal, a remarkable individual who defies expectations. While most people know Jay as a dedicated blueberry goat farmer, there's much more to his story. I speak with Jay after his top ten finish at this year's Carry Optics Nationals out of about 500 people!

Discover how Jay masterfully balances the demanding lifestyle of a farmer with the rigorous training required in the world of competitive shooting. From cultivating blueberries to honing his marksmanship skills, Jay's commitment and dedication are truly inspirational.

In this episode, we explore:

🔹 Jay's introduction to competitive shooting and how it became a significant part of his life. 🔹 The mental and physical discipline required to excel in the world of competitive shooting. 🔹 How Jay manages his time effectively to pursue both his passion for shooting and his responsibilities as a blueberry goat farmer. 🔹 Tips and advice for aspiring competitive shooters looking to follow in Jay's footsteps.

Whether you're an avid shooter, a farmer, or simply intrigued by the stories of remarkable individuals, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain insights into Jay Beal's unique journey and be inspired to pursue your own passions with discipline and determination.

🌟 Don't miss out! Click the link below to listen to this captivating conversation with Jay Beal:

Links mentioned:

Jay's Instagram

Jacob Hetherington just took 3rd place at this year's Carry Optics Nationals. He consistently wins or comes close to winning every major match (International and National) he competes in. Jacob joined the Army in 2015 and shoots for the Army's Marksmanship Unit. Jacob already has earned a top spot on the team that will cross over to a major sponsor once he leaves the military following other greats like Max Michel, Travis Tomasi, Julie Golob and KC Eusebio.

I originally recorded this episode back in 2018 and after his 3rd place finish, I thought it would be great to hear from him again.

In this podcast you'll hear:

What it's like to be a part of the Army Marksmanship Unit.

What are "pressure poops"!

And what to tell your junior shooter (if you have one) to focus on when coaching them.

Have you ever wanted to shoot fast? Or get better at your Bill Drills? Do you know what a Bill Drill is? That's 6 shots at 7 yards landing them in the A-zone of a USPSA target. The standard goal is all 6 in under 2 seconds. That is speed and accuracy. Competitive shooter Isaac Lockwood is going for supersonic. 6 shots in under a second. He is close. At last year's Bill Drill Challenge at Nationals, he did the 6 shots in 1.23 seconds. This weekend he goes back to Carry Optics Nationals and will face the winner of this year's challenge. Isaac thinks he can do it.

Isaac is a former law enforcement officer from California who now shoots and teaches all the time. He also is a pro staff member of Howitzer Clothing and shares that position with shooting greats such as JJ Racaza and Max Michel.

In this episode, you hear:

–How Isaac is able to get the shots off in such a short amount of time.

–How Isaac prepares for a National Championship.

–What Isaac practices when he goes to the range.

Links mentioned in the show:

Howitzer Clothing Pro Staff

Isaac's Instagram

Luigi Li is currently running for USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) President and the election is going on right now. Listeners of this podcast know that I compete in USPSA as it's one of the shooting sports that makes you a better shooter. If you want to carry your gun every day or are required to because of your job, going out and competing is a great way to increase your skills. The USPSA organization has over 37, 000 members that compete in all sorts of firearms, from handguns to rifles. In this episode, I sat down with Luigi, who I've known for several years. Luigi has served on the board of my local shooting club for 8 years. He travels internationally to matches and recently shot at the latest World Shoot.

Is Luigi the right choice for USPSA president? Listen and make your own decision. Also, I kept the Q&A session from the live show this was recorded from.

In this episode you'll hear:

--Why Luigi thinks USPSA is fractured.

--Would Luigi reinstate banned members?

--What Luigi thinks the USPSA President really is.

Links mentioned:

Luigi's Instagram

Email Luigi at [email protected]

In force-on-force training, participants engage in simulated scenarios where they face opposition from other individuals or teams. These scenarios involve using non-lethal training ammunition, such as paintball rounds or simulated munitions, to replicate the effects of real weapons without causing fatal injuries. The training can take place in various settings, including indoor facilities, outdoor environments, or purpose-built training grounds.

Force-on-force training offers several benefits, including:

1. Realistic decision-making: Participants have to make split-second decisions under pressure, simulating the cognitive demands of actual operational situations.
2. Stress inoculation: By exposing participants to simulated high-stress situations, force-on-force training helps them develop the ability to perform effectively and make sound decisions under duress.
3. Tactical proficiency: The training allows participants to practice and refine their tactical skills, including movement, communication, and target engagement, in a dynamic and interactive setting.

My guest today is Don Redl who is a certified instructor in Force on Force from Simunition (General Dynamics.) Don was also a competitive shooter and runs a security/executive protection company, Executive Options for over two decades. He teaches Force on Force as well as different tactical shooting classes. Don is the author of several books including his latest "Force of Force". Finally, Don is an expert witness in many training accidents that often go to court.

In this podcast you'll learn:

–What it's like to go on an executive protection assignment.

–How to incorporate Force on Force into your training program to round out your skillset.

–What steps to take to make sure you're safe in Force on Force training.

Links mentioned:

Executive Options

Adam Haidary is a former police training sergeant and spent seven years in law enforcement. One of the things he realized, was that police officers often had a hard time dealing with combative subjects and weren't really trained on how to do it. Old-style control techniques that were not pressure tested, would fail and the situation could easily escalate to deadly force. Adam created Effective Fitness Training and Effective Fitness Combatives to solve these issues. The programs utilize Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the use of a firearm as well as various fitness challenges to keep officers in shape. His company works with police departments around the nation and he has a solid cadre of instructors.

Adam also has a massive Instagram page called Police Posts https://www.instagram.com/policeposts. This page is filled with body cam footage and other videos that show critical incidents (from fights to shootings) that are debriefed. The purpose is not to draw criticism of the officer's actions but to have an open training dialogue about how the incident could have gone better and lessons learned.

In this episode, you'll hear:

–How Adam started his programs after seeing the problems in police training.

–Why BJJ is a great tool for law enforcement and why all officers should train.

–What is the number one killer of police officers.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Police Posts on Instagram

Effective Fitness on Instagram

Effective Combat Website

Joel Turner, a renowned expert in the field of archery, is the focus of this fascinating podcast episode. As the founder of Shot IQ, a leading organization dedicated to training archers and improving their mental game, Turner has had a significant impact on the sport and its practitioners.

With a background in psychology and a deep understanding of the mind-body connection, Turner has developed innovative techniques that have revolutionized shooting performance. His groundbreaking approach to firearms training focuses not only on physical skills but also on mental strategies to enhance concentration, control anxiety, and optimize overall performance under pressure.

Throughout the podcast, Turner shares his insights into the importance of mental fortitude in shooting, emphasizing how mastering the psychological aspects can have a profound impact on a shooter's accuracy and consistency. With years of experience coaching athletes at all levels, from beginners to world champions, Turner brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation.

Here are some points we discuss:

–The difference between open and closed loop processes.

–How neurolinguistic programming is a part of firearms training.

–What are the four questions you should be instantly thinking about during the shooting process.

Links mentioned:

SHOT IQ