Send us a text In this episode of the Matson Shooting Academy podcast, host Cody Matson welcomes Travis Mears, a seasoned shooter and owner of Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch. Travis shares his journey from a young shooter to a competitive athlete, discussing his early experiences, the establishment of his shooting range, and his current competitive season. The conversation delves into the mental strategies required to handle pressure during competitions, the importance of preparation, and t...
Jun 26, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Send us a text In this episode of the Matson Shooting Academy podcast, host Cody Matson interviews Paula Moore, the chief shooting instructor at Orvis Sandanona. Paula shares her journey from being a veterinary technician to becoming a shooting instructor, detailing her experiences in the rigorous Level Three certification process. She discusses the rich history of Orvis Sandanona, the unique customer experience it offers, and the importance of gun fitting. The conversation also highlights the u...
May 29, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Send us a text In this episode of the Mattson Shooting Academy Podcast, host Cody Matson interviews Todd Hitch, the 2025 U.S. Open Champion, in a compelling conversation that explores the mindset, preparation, and path behind his major victory. Winning the U.S. Open—one of the most prestigious events sanctioned by the National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA)—is a monumental achievement, marking Todd as one of the top competitors in the sport. Todd dives into the strategies that led to his succ...
May 22, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Send us a text In this episode of the Madison Shooting Academy Podcast , host and guest Mike McHenry dive deep into the dynamic world of sporting clays, offering a compelling blend of personal story, practical wisdom, and performance psychology. Mike shares his fascinating evolution from antique shotgun collector to competitive shooter, revealing how a passion for classic firearms led to a deep commitment to mastering modern clay target disciplines. With decades of experience and a methodical mi...
May 15, 2025•42 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Send us a text In this conversation, Justin Covillon shares his journey from the laboratory diagnostic world to the realm of clay target sports and the creation of GunsBay.com , an online marketplace for firearms. He discusses the importance of community in shooting sports, the challenges faced in launching the platform, and the commitment to giving back to the shooting community. The conversation highlights the camaraderie among shooters and the innovative approach to making gun sales more acce...
May 11, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Send us a text In this conversation, Bill Davis shares his journey from a hobbyist choke maker to the founder of Pure Gold Chokes. He discusses the challenges he faced, including financial struggles and the decision to pursue entrepreneurship full-time. Bill reflects on the importance of perseverance, the lessons learned from his experiences, and how he has found balance in retirement while overcoming worries about the future. In this conversation, Bill Davis shares his journey of building a suc...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Send us a text In this conversation, Dawn Grant and Matt Gay discuss various topics related to health, wellness, and the shooting sports industry. They explore Matt's journey from competitive shooting to his career in construction codes, the mental aspects of shooting, and the importance of training the mind for peak performance. The discussion also touches on the concept of 'Quiet Eye' training and how it can help shooters achieve a state of flow or 'the zone' during competitions. In this conve...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Send us a text Dawn Grant interviews Michael Boire, General Manager at Quail Creek Sporting Ranch, Home of the Jack Link’s Cup. He shares his journey in the shooting industry, his experiences living on property, and the importance of gut instincts and manifesting dreams. They discuss the balance of work and family life, the power of visualization, and how to maintain a positive mindset in both personal and professional endeavors. In this conversation, Dawn Grant and Michael Boire explore the int...
Apr 17, 2025•55 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Send us a text Owen Haas shares his journey in clay shooting, discussing his early experiences, the influence of his family, and the mental strategies he employs to enhance his performance. In this episode of Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insight, Owen emphasizes the importance of accountability, meditation, and focus in both his shooting and academic pursuits. Owen reflects on the challenges he faced while transitioning to more competitive levels and how he l...
Apr 07, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Send us a text In this conversation, Carson Lingle shares his journey in clay shooting, discussing his accomplishments, coaching experiences, and the mental challenges he faces in the sport. He shoots a Beretta SL2 with a Greenwood Custom Stock. He emphasizes the importance of coaching, the mental game, and strategies for overcoming performance anxiety. Carson also reflects on achieving a state of flow during competitions and outlines his future goals in the sport. In this conversation, Carson L...
Mar 31, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Send us a text Anthony Matarese Jr., a World English Sporting and World FITASC Champion, discusses the various reasons why shooters miss their targets, emphasizing the importance of form, stance, gun speed, and synchronization with the bird's speed. As a world renowned coach in sporting clays, FITASC and other clay target disciplines, he shares insights from his extensive coaching experience, highlighting common errors and the need for thorough planning and mental preparation in shooting. The di...
Mar 27, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Send us a text Blaize Whitehead shares his journey in the shooting sports, discussing his early experiences, significant achievements, and the challenges he faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, confidence, and positive reinforcement in improving performance. Blaize also shares his training techniques and preparation strategies for competitions, highlighting the balance between confidence and performance. The discussion provides valuable insights into the mental aspects o...
Mar 24, 2025•58 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Send us a text n this episode of the Matson Shooting Academy podcast, host Cody Matson interviews Laurie Daniel, the World English Sporting Lady Veteran Silver Medalist, National Lady Helice Champion, and Top 10 in World Lady FITASC Cup. Laurie shares her journey in the shooting sports, her experiences running Westside Sporting Grounds, and her transition into coaching. The conversation delves into the importance of mentorship, the challenges of competitive shooting, and the mental resilience re...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Send us a text Isobel Ziluca shares her journey into the world of sporting clays, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of as national sporting clays association lady’s super-veteran shooter. She discusses her late start in shooting, the importance of mentorship, and her advocacy for greater recognition and support for women in shooting sports. Dawn and Isobel talk about the mechanics of shooting and the mental game. As a student of Anthony Matarese Jr., Isobel has had the opportunity to lear...
Mar 11, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Send us a text Dominic Bethel shares his journey from IT consulting to becoming a prominent figure in the clay shooting industry. He discusses his experiences in competitive shooting, the acquisition of Meadows Clay Sports, and the challenges faced during the pandemic. Bethel highlights the growth of GameBore Ammunition and its distribution, as well as the management dynamics at Meadows. He emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in management and the impact of corporate influence on s...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text Welcome Brandy Elrod, a paralympic shooter, coach, and the owner/editor of Lady Outdoor Lifestyles Magazine to Clay Mastermind with Dawn Grant: Mental Excellence & Industry Insight. Dawn and Brandy talk youth shooter challenges, the importance of mental training in shooting sports, who the likely first Lady HOA National Champion will be, much more on this episode. Brandy is an accomplished shooter having held a position on the All-American Team with the NSCA and has committed ...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Send us a text In this episode of the Madison Shooting Academy podcast, host The Clay Lab interviews Aniston Hamil, a competitive shooter and senior at Emmanuel University. Aniston shares her journey in the world of clay target shooting, balancing her academic pursuits with her passion for the sport. She discusses her experiences in various shooting disciplines, the importance of discipline in both academics and athletics, and her transition from high school to college shooting. Aniston also off...
Feb 17, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Send us a text Jim Lowry, an 86-year-old clay shooter, shares his journey from engineering to becoming a passionate participant in sporting clays. He discusses the importance of mental preparation, visualization, and self-confidence in shooting, drawing parallels between golf and clay shooting. Jim emphasizes the significance of setting realistic goals and enjoying the learning process, while also addressing the mental barriers that can hinder performance. His insights provide valuable lessons f...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Send us a text Cody sits down with Carl Holland, the new general manager of Meadows Clay Sports. Carl shares his journey from Toronto to becoming a key figure in the clay shooting community. He discusses his passion for the sport, the unique offerings at Meadows, and the exciting events planned for the upcoming season, including the Shooter's Championship. The conversation also touches on the club's commitment to youth programs and community engagement, as well as recent improvements and partner...
Feb 06, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Send us a text Jasper Copelan shares his journey in clay target sports, discussing his beginnings, the balance between work and shooting, and the importance of practice and mindset with host Cody Matson of Matson Shooting Academy Podcast. He emphasizes sportsmanship and the need for role models in the sport, while also outlining his future goals and aspirations. Jasper talks about his side to the story when it comes to sportsmanship related comments of the past but focuses on the future and pres...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Send us a text In this engaging conversation, Nick Hendrick shares his insights on the mental aspects of competitive shooting, the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome, and the balance between enjoyment and competition. He reflects on his personal experiences, the challenges of coaching, and the significance of confidence in performance. The discussion also touches on the learning opportunities presented by misses and failures, as well as the diverse personalities found ...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Send us a text In this episode of the Matson Shooting Academy podcast, host Cody Matson and guest Will Fennell discuss essential strategies for preparing for the shooting season. They cover topics such as goal setting, effective practice techniques, equipment maintenance, and the importance of coaching. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentionality in practice and preparation, as well as the significance of setting clear, achievable goals to enhance performance in shooting sports. Fenn...
Jan 23, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Send us a text In this conversation, T.J. Hawk shares his journey in competitive shooting, discussing his achievements, target setting philosophy, and the importance of mental preparation. He reflects on personal growth, the impact of nutrition, and the challenges of modern distractions. T.J. emphasizes the significance of setting boundaries and the role of acceptance in learning from mistakes. He also touches on his future aspirations in shooting and the balance between competition and enjoymen...
Jan 20, 2025•58 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Send us a text In this episode of Fennell Shooting School Podcast , host Will Fennell welcomes Jim Greenwood, the renowned craftsman behind Greenwood Custom Stocks. Together, they delve into the intricate philosophy of custom stock design, the critical role of eye dominance in shotgun performance, the personalized process of building a custom stock, and the excitement surrounding the Greenwood Invitational shoot at Flint Oak in Kansas. Custom Stock Design Philosophy Jim Greenwood’s journey in st...
Jan 09, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Send us a text In this conversation, Anthony Capasso shares his journey from a competitive sports background to his current role in aging medicine and stem cell therapy. He discusses the mental and physical aspects of clay shooting, emphasizing the importance of focus, nutrition, and sleep in achieving peak performance. Capasso also highlights the significance of maintaining a positive mindset and managing stress, drawing parallels between sports and life. The discussion concludes with insights ...
Jan 02, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Send us a text Rylie Sass shares her journey as a young clay shooter, discussing her love for the sport, the challenges she has faced, and the importance of community and support in overcoming obstacles. She highlights the mental aspects of shooting, the significance of coaching, and her aspirations for the future, while also offering advice to new shooters, particularly women, to encourage them to participate in the sport. Rylie Sass is a Scholastic Clay Target Program Coach to youth shooters i...
Dec 26, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Send us a text Andrea Seefeldt Knight shares her remarkable journey from being a professional jockey to becoming a successful clay shooter. She discusses the challenges she faced as a female jockey in a male-dominated sport, her transition to clay shooting, and the importance of intuition in both sports. Andrea reflects on her early life, competitive spirit, and the thrill of competition, emphasizing the dedication and training required to excel in her pursuits. In this conversation, Andrea Seef...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Send us a text In this conversation, Drew Ricketts shares his lifelong experiences in wildlife management and shooting sports, detailing his journey from growing up in Kansas to becoming the NSCA Chief FITASC Referee. He discusses the evolving drama with the FITASC & Super Sporting, the importance of education in wildlife management, the balance between conservation and hunting, and the role of referees in clay target sports. Drew emphasizes personal growth through experiences and the signif...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 32
Send us a text Harvey Schwartz, President of the Georgia State Clay Association, shares his journey into the world of sporting clays, detailing how he transitioned from a novice shooter to a key figure in the sport's governance. He discusses the financial revival of the GSCA, the importance of youth engagement, and the competitive landscape of Georgia's sporting clays shooting community. The conversation also delves into the challenges of target difficulty and the future of sporting clays, empha...
Dec 05, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Send us a text Derrick Mein shares his journey as an accomplished Olympic shooter, discussing his experiences in the sport, the mental aspects of competition, and the importance of preparation and mindset. He reflects on his family support, the evolution of shooting techniques, and how he manages the emotional rollercoaster of competition. Derrick emphasizes the significance of understanding oneself and developing a personal approach to shooting, while also acknowledging the advancements in tech...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 30
