Off the Beaten Path

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Meet Paige Chan, the newest trailblazer in the shooting sports who went from being 'afraid of guns' to winning a major competition prize in less than a year! Paige, a master's student at Georgia Tech, shares her journey of conquering fear, embracing her dual cultural life, and finding an unexpected boost of confidence in the supportive firearms community. We dive into the unique philosophy of her brand, Tactical Playground, where serious training meets the fun of her bubbly, anime-loving alter ego 🌟. She reveals the mental game changer that instantly improved her accuracy and why she's skipping the dry fire to focus entirely on USPSA competition.

Brief Description: Cush and Breezy chat with Paige Chan (Paige Time), a new shooter who is quickly making waves in the competitive scene and co-founder of Tactical Playground. Paige details the decision to learn shooting for self-defense, her experience overcoming initial fear, and the cultural challenge of balancing her traditional upbringing with her passion for firearms. She shares her personal "sparkle moment" in shooting and the empowering feeling of moving from a timid student to a successful instructor. This episode highlights how positive reinforcement and a willingness to learn (rather than gatekeeping) are growing the community, and why focusing on the mental game is the key to conquering difficult targets and improving as a competitive shooter. Follow Paige and the team at @TacticalPlaygroundHQ.

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Meet Destiny "Des" Holman, founder of Fab Firearms Academy, who turned a random act of gun violence into a mission to empower over 1500 women through training. Des shares the shocking personal story that propelled her from a "passive gun owner" to a dedicated instructor. She dives into the unique challenges of training women who are dealing with past trauma, the crucial role of dry firing, and why well-meaning boyfriends and husbands often "mansplain" their partners out of ever getting comfortable with a firearm.

Brief Description: Cush and Breezy welcome Destiny "Des" Holman (Nina De La Flores) of Fab Firearms Academy, the Arkansas-based school that has become a refuge for women seeking self-defense training. Des is candid about the drive-by shooting incident that forced her to take her Second Amendment rights seriously. She details her non-judgmental approach to teaching, including why one student needed seven private lessons just to overcome her anxiety and fire one round.

Des also tackles the industry's misconceptions: she explains why dry firing for just ten minutes a day is the key to skill acquisition, how to conceal carry while pregnant safely, and why women do not need to sacrifice their identity or style (like having long nails or wearing non-tactical gear) to be effective shooters. Plus, she shares the story behind her viral "All Purple" charity event and how she's constantly on the road, training women across seven different states. Find Des on social media at @NinaDeLaFlores.

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"Meet Lanny Oakley: a three-time Olympian, World Champion, and identical twin! Lanny shares the unbelievable story of how her twin sister's ultimate sacrifice gave her a spot in the Sochi games, a moment that garnered international attention. But that's just the beginning. We dive into her unique journey from soccer phenom to biathlon Olympian, the secret way her photographic memory gave her a competitive edge, and how she used selling her own artwork on the streets of Europe to fund her Olympic career. Plus, find out how trick shooting off a unicycle made her a better three-gun competitor. If you're looking for proof that hard work, discipline, and a strong community can take you to the highest levels of any sport, this episode is a must-listen."

Brief Description: Cush and Breezy are joined by the incredible Lanny Oakley, a three-time Olympian and world champion in multiple shooting disciplines. Lanny opens up about her powerful twin connection, including the surprising sacrifice that enabled her third Olympic appearance, and how their childhood competitiveness fueled their success. She details her life as a biathlon athlete, revealing the sport's origins as a military tactic, and explaining how she leverages her photographic memory for high-level visualization and competition. Lanny offers critical advice for young women venturing into shooting sports: don't buy all the gear—just show up to a match and lean on the supportive community. She also shares how her skill as a bonafide artist helped fund her entire Olympic career. Follow Lanny's courses and journey at @lannyoakley

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Meet Brittany Booth, a lifelong hunter who started on a caribou hunt at age 12 and went on to become an award-winning outdoor writer, media expert, and President of POMA. She opens up about the generational impact of the hunting lifestyle, the "super important" role of her German Shorthair Pointers in upland bird hunting, and the unbelievable experiences that come from networking in the outdoor space. Brittany also tackles the persistent challenge of sexism in gun stores and gives a powerful message on confidence for women entering any male-dominated field.

Brief Description: Cush and Breezy sit down with Brittany Booth, a hunting expert and the current President of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA). Brittany shares her journey from growing up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to running her own successful media group. She discusses her first massive hunt in Quebec, the role her family's vintage Winchester 101 shotguns play in upland bird hunting, and why she finds the dog work so fulfilling. She and the hosts discuss the unmatched networking and community value of POMA. Finally, Brittany recounts a recent run-in with a gun store employee who questioned her knowledge, prompting her to share a crucial message for women: be confident, be yourself, and kick ass. Find Brittany at @BoothMediaGroup on all social platforms.

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"Gun laws are racist."

That's the conversation Cush and Breezy are having as they detail their journey over the last year, spanning from SHOT Show to ICAST to the backwoods of Texas. They detail how joining organizations like POMA led to a full-circle moment: an impromptu, life-changing hog hunt hosted by their friend Chan from Taurus. As they travel the country (from Lake Erie walleye fishing to Atlanta meetups), they break down why their agency is intentionally bridging the gap between urban demographics (Black, Latino, Asian) and the outdoor space, challenging a "ten-years-behind" industry to embrace diversity and representation.

Brief Description: In this episode of the season featuring just the hosts, Cush and Breezy update listeners on their extensive travel schedule—from Ohio's Lake Erie (walleye fishing) to the massive ICAST fishing convention. They emphasize the power of community, detailing a "full-circle" moment where their connection through the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) led to their first-ever hog hunt in Texas, an experience that reinvigorated their passion for the outdoors.

Crucially, the hosts discuss their agency's core mission: to be the exclusive bridge connecting urban and outdoor demographics. They delve into why this focus is not about compliance, but about authentic representation. They explicitly challenge the status quo, discussing the widely held belief that the gun industry is decades behind others, and why they believe historical facts—like the reaction to the Black Panthers arming themselves—prove that gun laws are inherently racist. This is a conversation about business growth, the personal reward of getting back to nature, and the intentional work of making the outdoor and Second Amendment spaces inclusive for all.

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"We only thought two types of people owned guns growing up: cops and street kids." 

That mindset drove Cush and Breezy to dedicate Season 2 entirely to women and the stories often ignored in the outdoor world. They kick off the season by detailing their full-circle journey: the music studio hustle, the near-fatal COVID experience that triggered a spiritual calling, and the launch of Apex Mountain, the agency dedicated to bridging the gap between urban and outdoor demographics. Find out why they believe gun laws are inherently racist and how they're using their platform, faith, and hip-hop culture to change the conversation and increase representation

Brief Description: Cush and Breezy kick off Season 2 by explaining their intentional choice to feature only women guests this season, diving into the unique and evolving role of ladies in the outdoor and firearm spaces. They share their incredible personal story, recounting how their brotherhood was forged while working at a music retailer, which led to eight years running the Forever Dope Media Group studio.

The hosts detail how their path drastically changed following Breezy's near-death battle with COVID (ventilator, hospitalization), which solidified their faith and acted as the "North Star" for their next venture. This led to the launch of Apex Mountain, a marketing agency with the core mission to "bridge the gap between the urban and outdoor markets" (Black, Latino, and other minorities). They explain why the traditional gun industry is decades behind others, and why they believe it's essential to have uncomfortable conversations about the racist history of gun laws (citing the Black Panther movement) to achieve true representation and education.

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From a 'barefoot childhood' in Oklahoma to leading women in the outdoors, Bethany shares how her faith anchors her life, from homeschooling five kids to harvesting big game.

Join Cush and Breezy as they sit down with Bethany, a military wife, homeschool mom, and devout Christian, to explore her unique journey in the outdoors. Bethany discusses her passion for hunting, her mission to diversify the outdoors, and how her faith guides every aspect of her life. From sharing her testimony to discussing conservation efforts, this episode delves into the heart of a woman who's redefining what it means to be a modern outdoorswoman.

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Join Cush and Breezy as they chat with Danny, a martial arts veteran and firearms enthusiast now working in the Cerakote industry. They discuss his transition from running a karate school to customizing guns, his passion for bringing diverse communities into the Second Amendment conversation, and his views on self-defense. Danny shares stories from his martial arts career, his experiences in the gun industry, and his vision for the future of the space. Plus, Breezy drops some fresh beats, and they explore the intersection of culture, combat, and community.

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From her first BB gun lesson to becoming the youngest Black female FFL dealer, Amber G. Johnson joins 'Off The Beaten Path' to share her incredible journey. Discover how she's empowering women through firearms education, blending fashion and function in concealed carry, and navigating the challenges of representation in the gun industry. Plus, hear how her faith guides her mission.

Join Cush and Breezy as they sit down with Amber G. Johnson, founder of Gale's Futuristic Fire, firearms instructor, and influencer. They discuss her path to becoming an FFL, her dedication to empowering women in the gun space, and her unique approach to concealed carry fashion. Amber shares insights on overcoming obstacles, the importance of representation, and her vision for the future of the firearms industry. Plus, breezy cooks up some new beats, and they explore the intersection of faith, fashion, and firearms.

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From a terrifying home invasion to building a thriving community, Aaron from Gun Club Radio joins 'Off The Beaten Path' to share his journey into the firearm space. Discover how a life-altering experience ignited his passion for self-defense, how he's fostering dialogue and education through Gun Club Radio, and why he believes in responsible firearm ownership for all.

Join Cush and Breezy as they sit down with Aaron, a podcaster, advocate, and firearm enthusiast. They delve into his personal story, his work with Gun Club Radio, and his commitment to building community within the gun space. Aaron shares insights on real-world scenarios, the importance of training, and the diverse perspectives within the Second Amendment community. Plus, Breezy drops some fresh beats, and they explore the intersection of culture, comedy, and conversation in the world of firearms.

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