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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