In this powerful episode of Mic & Magic with Manan, we sit down with Isha Taksale, one of India’s most promising junior rifle shooters, to understand what it truly takes to perform under pressure when it’s just you, your mind, and the target.
Shooting isn’t about brute strength.
It’s about precision, patience, mental discipline, and staying present for every single shot.
From handling distractions and social media, to making comebacks after tough phases, Isha opens up about the mental side of elite shooting the part most people never see.
In this deeply insightful conversation, Isha talks about:
Why shooting is a pure mind game
Training focus through yoga, pranayama, breathing & visualisation
How she stays calm during long matches and recovers shot by shot
Why comebacks define champions more than winning streaks
Her intense 6-day training routine (4–5 hours a day) with her coaches
How modern shooting scoring works from the tiny 10-ring to chasing a perfect 10.9
The emotional story behind her first gun at the age of 10
Why distractions like social media never enter her shooting world
The importance of process over results in high-performance sport
This episode is honest, grounded, and deeply inspiring perfect for athletes, students, parents, coaches, and anyone trying to build focus, discipline, and mental resilience in their own life.
🎯 Isha Taksale is part of the Gear For Gold program supported by the Infosys Foundation.
🎙️ Guest: Isha Taksale — Indian Junior Rifle Shooter
🎙️ Host: Manan | Mic & Magic Podcast
🕒 TIMESTAMPS
00:48 – Starting the Shooting Journey
02:11 – Buying the First Gun
03:00 – Overview of Shooting Sports
03:31 – How Scoring Works in Shooting
04:18 – The Shot Sequence
05:03 – Competitive Shooting Kit
05:40 – Favorite Kit Items (The Cap)
06:05 – Training Schedule and Coaching
06:30 – Home Practice
06:37 – Physical Workout for a Motionless Sport
07:26 – Training the Mind for Shooting
08:26 – Attending Workshops
08:44 – Workshop Impact on Performance
08:56 – Juggling Studies and Shooting
09:45 – Specific Exercises and Workshop Details
12:04 – Making a Comeback During a Match
13:14 – Pre-Shot Routines and Superstitions
15:05 – Life Improvements from Shooting (Consistency)
16:02 – Recommendations for Improving as a Shooter
17:26 – Biggest Moment So Far (Honesty Over Winning)
20:08 – Experience at ISSF Competitions in New Delhi
22:04 – Traveling the World for Sport
22:49 – Fighting Under Pressure & 0.1 Margin Wins
24:18 – Focus in Life and Ignoring Distractions
25:42 – Future Ambitions in Shooting and Life
26:52 – Supporting the GoSports Foundation
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