Off the Beaten Path

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Live from SHOT Show in Las Vegas at the OTIS booth, Erin Crooks of Freedom Outdoors breaks down what really happened inside the gun industry during the pandemic. While panic buying swept the country, Freedom Outdoors refused to price gouge — and earned lifelong customer loyalty.

We dive into new shooter demographics, women entering the space, scaling a multi-location range business, and why training is more important than ever.

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Live from SHOT Show in Las Vegas (OTIS booth), we talk with Amy Lucas, owner of Steel & Stilettos Firearm Training. From working with maximum security prisoners to becoming a state firearms instructor and SWAT leader, Amy explains how women can overcome fear, trauma, and intimidation — and learn to carry responsibly with confidence. We also dive into representation, women’s carry options, and why training the mom often trains the whole family.

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Recorded at SHOT Show in Las Vegas from the OTIS booth, we sit down with Patrick Collins, founder of TheGunFood — one of the most respected ammo suppliers in the space. Patrick breaks down how his business started by helping instructors stay afloat, how it evolved into a legit multi-warehouse operation shipping to 49 states, and why advocacy, training, and community matter just as much as ammunition.

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Recorded at SHOT Show in Las Vegas from the OTIS booth, we sit down with Jim West, CEO of Lake Erie Arms, a 94,000 sq ft indoor shooting + hospitality destination in Northern Ohio. We talk about inclusion, experience-first design, glow-in-the-dark clays, climate-controlled ranges, the famous vault room, and why their door swings are trending younger and more female. Plus: what’s next—an immersive airsoft zone designed to bring new shooters in through the front door.

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Cush and Breezy wrap up an inspiring Season 2 of Off the Beaten Path, dedicated exclusively to women trailblazers in the outdoor and firearm industry. They reflect on the overarching themes of perseverance, courage, and redefining power heard in conversations with guests ranging from Olympian Lanny Barnes and world champion fisher Ronda Pitts, to firearms academy owner Des and influential content creator Adrienne.

The hosts emphasize how these women are not only excelling in their fields but also addressing crucial questions for female consumers, like carrying while pregnant or navigating mental health benefits in the outdoors. They discuss their own journey of growth, highlighting the importance of starting, learning from mistakes, and allowing faith to guide their path. Looking ahead, Kush and Breezy reveal exciting plans for Season 3 to be recorded live from SHOT Show in Las Vegas, promising more unfiltered conversations and continued efforts to bridge communities and tell authentic stories in the outdoor space.

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Cush and Breezy welcome Adrian, co-founder of the Review This Thing YouTube channel, for a candid conversation about her journey as a female content creator in the outdoor and firearm industry. Adrienne shares the origin story of her channel, born from a desire for honest gear reviews during a Montana hike in 2019, and how the COVID-19 pandemic provided the unexpected push to launch.

From reviewing Bose earbuds and frozen pizza to becoming a host for Ducks Unlimited's Ascend podcast and going on elk hunts for work, Adrian details her channel's organic growth and evolution. She discusses the challenges of being a woman in the space, the "evergreen" nature of her informative content, and how her faith guides her mission to help people make better decisions without getting lost in "analysis paralysis." The conversation also delves into the intricacies of reloading ammunition, the importance of consistent content, and why building a genuine community triumphs over viral fleeting fame.

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Cush and Breezy sit down with WOMA President Erica Chin and VP Jessica to dive into the heart of the Women's Outdoor Media Association. The WOMA is a non-profit dedicated to encouraging women in outdoor sports (shooting, hunting, fishing, archery) while raising funds for female veterans and first responders. Erica and Jess detail the unique, supportive environment of their annual "She Never Quit" event, where women are empowered to learn new skills that they, in turn, teach to their families.

They recount the hilarious, loud meeting at SHOT Show that earned them the nickname "The Golden Girls" and share incredible stories of the WOMA community—including a sister-in-law who went from wrapping guns in a towel to a sharpshooter, and the chaotic charm of founder Deb Ferns, who they call the "MacGyver" of the outdoor world. The ladies discuss the importance of leaving your ego at the door to truly foster a sisterhood where women can genuinely uplift and support each other. Learn how to get involved and support their mission at thewoma.org.

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Cush and Breezy welcome Jasmine, The Tactical Baddie, founder of the Batty Brigade, for a dynamic conversation about women's empowerment and self-protection. Jasmine shares the inspiration behind her viral content, which showcases how women can integrate firearms into their daily lives—from corporate fits to stylish dresses—without sacrificing fashion. She discusses the importance of training, making an expensive hobby accessible, and the profound shift in her approach to concealed carry while pregnant and as a new mother. This episode is an insightful look at the intersection of lifestyle, safety, and confidence in the modern world. Follow her journey on all platforms at @TheTacticalBaddie!

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Cush and Breezy are joined by Tess Salb, a trailblazer and former Olympic Development athlete who brings a unique, high-level perspective to the firearms world. Tess details her journey starting at age twelve, her experience with international pistol shooting, and her transition into action sports like 3-Gun after being "discovered" at a national championship. She breaks down the three pillars of her Armed Athlete Academy (Fitness, Firearms, and Mindset), emphasizing that simple, consistent training trumps extreme workouts. Tess provides invaluable advice for both new and experienced shooters on building confidence, the proper use of dry fire training, and why focusing on blank targets can drastically improve your consistency. Follow her journey on Instagram: @shoot_4_gold.

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Meet Rhonda Pitts, the Gold Medal-winning tournament angler who discovered that fishing is better than medicine! Rhonda shares the incredible story of how she used the simple act of fishing to recover her health, stop taking Gabapentin, and find a new career. She details her journey from a dark horse competitor who cashed a check in her very first tournament to a seasoned angler finishing 4th on Lake Erie. Plus, get her must-know tips for beginners, including the simple rig that catches fish anywhere, and her secret knot for joining a braid main line to a fluorocarbon leader!

Brief Description: Cush and Breezy talk with Arkansas angler Rhonda Pitts about her incredible journey from a childhood boredom to a Team USA Black Bass Gold Medalist. Rhonda discusses the health transformation she experienced simply by getting back outdoors, proving the therapeutic value of fishing. She offers must-have advice for new anglers, emphasizing the low barrier to entry and the importance of patience. She breaks down the difference between fishing for a lazy largemouth and a fighting smallmouth, and shares key technical tips like how to tie the Lefty Cray Knot and why she uses a three-foot leader. Tune in to hear about her ambitious goal of fishing the 2026 Bass Opens and how to sponsor her! Find Rhonda on social media at @RhondaPittsFishing.

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