The Let Down Podcast

On this episode of The Letdown Podcast, the gang sits down with competitive Canadian archer Cameron Palichuk.

Cam may not be the loudest voice in the room, but his approach to archery speaks for itself. Known for putting in 500+ arrow practice days and trusting a disciplined process, Cam shares what it takes to stay focused, improve steadily, and perform when the shot really matters.

In this conversation we talk about:

• The mindset behind competitive target archery

• What serious practice actually looks like

• Learning to trust your shot process

• Staying calm when the pressure is on

• Why fishing helps him reset outside of competition

Sometimes the most dangerous competitors are the quiet ones. Cam’s story is a reminder that consistency, patience, and discipline often speak louder than anything else.

🎧 New episodes every Monday on Spotify
📺 Full video episodes Thursday on YouTube

The stories keep rolling.

In this episode of The Letdown Podcast, we sit down with competitive archer Dein Higgins to talk about the grind behind the sport.

Dein didn’t grow up shooting tournaments. Like many archers, he came into the sport later and had to work his way up — putting in arrows, chasing better shooters, and learning the hard lessons that come with competition and bowhunting.

We talk about:

• Getting started in archery later in life

• The mindset behind competitive shooting

• Hunting experiences that stick with you

• Chasing the top shooters in Ontario

• The growing competitive archery scene in Canada

It’s a conversation about persistence, improvement, and why archery has a way of pulling people deeper into the sport.

🎧 New episodes every Monday on Spotify
📺 Full video releases Thursdays on YouTube

Tattoo artist and bowhunter Travis McGregor joins us for a 1h 30m conversation about persistence, precision, and identity.

From fighting for a tattoo apprenticeship at 17 to teaching himself how to hunt, Travis breaks down the mindset behind both ink and instinct.

We discuss competition pressure, target panic, father-son dynamics, and the powerful moment of harvesting your own food.

This one’s about more than tattoos and whitetails — it’s about reconnecting with something real.

In Episode 22, we sit down with Mark D’Cunha — bowhunter, coach, and interim president of Archery Ontario — to talk about rediscovering the joy of archery.

From starting out with a stick bow to building youth athlete pathways, Mark shares his passion for coaching, growing participation, improving communication within the sport, and making archery more inclusive.

A conversation about leadership, community, and why archery can build confidence — and even serve as therapy for some.

In Episode 21, the crew checks in on their own archery journeys — the wins, the frustrations, and the honest progress happening behind the scenes.

We get into the real cost of chasing improvement — not just equipment (because let’s be honest, this sport isn’t cheap), but the time, patience, and mental energy it takes to truly dial things in. Bow tuning becomes a metaphor for something bigger: you can’t rush the process, and small adjustments matter more than people think.

The conversation shifts between paper and 3D, fun shooting versus competitive focus, and what it actually means to set realistic goals. There’s honesty about pressure. There’s talk about conditioning — both physical and mental. And there’s an important reminder that archery is supposed to be fun… even when we’re chasing performance.

We also zoom out and talk about the future of the podcast — the community around it, the power of storytelling in archery, and how this campfire keeps growing. There’s thoughtful discussion about neurodiversity in sport, and the unique challenges women face in competitive archery — because the conversation is bigger than just arrows and scores.

And of course… we couldn’t end it without a little moose talk.

It’s progress. It’s perspective. It’s Letdown.

Rick Marchand sits down for a wide-ranging, unpolished conversation about a life spent in archery and hunting. From moose camps and bear hunts to competitive 3D shooting and tournament headaches, Rick talks about what it really looks like behind the scenes — the wins, the misses, and the work nobody sees.

He shares stories from the field, lessons learned the hard way, and the reality of building a hunting show without smoke, mirrors, or guarantees. Along the way, the conversation drifts through ice fishing, aging bodies, changing priorities, and why community — more than scores or trophies — is what keeps people coming back to the fire.

In this light-hearted episode of the Letdown Podcast, the crew dive into a lively trivia game centered around archery and hunting. The conversation flows from light-hearted banter about health and food choices to deeper discussions on wildlife management and the history of archery. Participants share personal anecdotes, insights on regulations, and humorous moments, creating a sense of community and camaraderie. The trivia questions spark debates and reflections on the sport, making for an entertaining and informative episode. In this engaging conversation, the participants discuss various aspects of hunting, including upcoming community events, bow tuning techniques, and personal hunting stories. They share experiences related to squirrel hunting and the importance of cooking game meat safely. The discussion also touches on hunting regulations and the significance of trivia challenges in enhancing knowledge. As the conversation progresses, they reflect on their future plans and the importance of supporting charitable causes through hunting events.

In this engaging conversation, the LetDown crew speak with Josh McKenzie of Caribou media and delve into the latest archery gear and equipment, sharing insights on performance and preferences. The discussion also touches on the art of podcasting, emphasizing the importance of guest interactions and creating engaging conversations. In this engaging conversation, the hosts discuss the intricacies of booking guests for their podcast, the challenges they face in outreach, and the importance of persistence in the podcasting world. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences with guest selection, technical difficulties, and the joy of connecting with the hunting community. The conversation also touches on the impact of social media on hunting, the influence of personalities within the community, and the significance of networking and building relationships. They reflect on event planning, community engagement, and the feedback received from hosting provincial events, while looking forward to future opportunities and collaborations.

In this engaging conversation, Chris Priester and The Letdown Crew discuss the competitive yet friendly atmosphere of archery tournaments, particularly focusing on a charity event aimed at raising awareness and funds for breast cancer. They share anecdotes about past events, the camaraderie among participants, and the importance of community support. The conversation highlights the emotional impact of the event, not just for the competitors but also for the families affected by breast cancer, emphasizing the significance of raising awareness and funds for research and support services.

As they delve deeper, they reflect on the organization of the event, the roles of various team members, and the importance of guest speakers who share their personal experiences with breast cancer. The discussion culminates in a heartfelt acknowledgment of the event's purpose: to foster hope and support for those affected by breast cancer, while also creating a fun and competitive environment for archers. The episode serves as both a promotional piece for the upcoming event and a touching reminder of the community's resilience and commitment to making a difference.

In this episode, the hosts discuss various aspects of archery, including the challenges of setting up bows, adjusting draw lengths, and the importance of practicing with purpose. They reflect on their podcast journey, memorable guests, and the insights gained from major archery events. The conversation also touches on personal goals for improvement in archery and the balance between hosting a podcast and personal life. The hosts express their desire to explore broader archery communities and share interesting stories from their experiences.