TAKING AIM

Aimpoint

The official Aimpoint podcast.

For more than 5 decades, Aimpoint has pioneered electric red dot sighting technology used by hunters and competitive shooters around the world.

Now, we’re bringing you insights from influential voices in firearms culture. Dive into the 2A lifestyle with hunters, veterans, tactical experts, instructors, law enforcement, and even celebrities.

The show is hosted by Richard Nance, a lifelong martial artist and retired Police Sergeant with 25 years of law enforcement experience, including time as a SWAT Team Leader and Defensive Tactics Program Supervisor.

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22 episodes
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Avg 55 min
English

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Tuesday · 50 min
Red Dot vs. Iron Sights: The Truth About Target Focus (w/ Seth Swerczek)
In this episode of the Taking Aim Podcast, host Rich sits down with Seth Swerczek, Marketing Communications Manager at Hornady Ammunition, to trace his path from Marine Corps rifleman to ballistics engineer to marketing lead — and how his hands-on lab background shapes the way he communicates about products today. The conversation ranges from his Nebraska upbringing and lifelong hunting relationship with his father, to the technical realities of a ballistician's day-to-day (propellant troubleshooting, terminal performance testing, and years of Doppler radar data behind Hornady's drag-reduction technology), to the design philosophy behind newer cartridges like the 7 PRC and 6.5 PRC — built to expand what's possible rather than replace proven classics like the 7 Mag. The episode closes on Hornady's Vexis biometric safe, with Seth breaking down the near-infrared vein-recognition technology that unlocks it in roughly 0.3 seconds, fully offline and non-networked for security. Follow Seth on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seth.swerczek/?hl=en Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open 02:44 – A Day in the Life of a Ballistics Engineer 08:09 – Growing Up Hunting & Time in the Marine Corps 14:26 – Starting the Hornady Podcast 19:05 – Hornady's Bullet Technology (Critical Duty, 9mm Shift) 25:00 – Why New Cartridges Don't Replace the Classics 29:28 – Reading the Wind vs. Calling the Wind 33:24 – How Technology Has Changed Hunting 39:30 – What's New at Hornady (Bullets & Safes) 43:34 – The Vexis Biometric Safe 48:45 – Where to Find Hornady 50:04 – Outro
August 25 · 1 hr 4 min
The Red Dot Pioneer: Kelly McCann’s Simple Approach to Faster, More Accurate Shooting
On today’s episode of Aimpoint’s Taking Aim podcast, Rich Nance sits down with Kelly McCann, a former Marine Corps infantry commander and special operations veteran known for his pioneering work in combatives and firearms training. Kelly breaks down personal security, self-defense, and armed encounters through a “principles over techniques” lens; covering everything from home security and legal use-of-force pitfalls to red dot pistol optics. With a career spanning work with elite units, founding the multimillion-dollar Crucible training company, and media contributions under the alias Jim Grover, McCann’s insights into realistic self-defense, tactical innovation, and mental toughness are sure to inspire and instruct listeners in improving their skills. Follow Kembatvitz at: https://www.instagram.com/kembativz/?hl=en Check out Kembatvitz at: kembativz.com Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit Aimpoint.com to learn more: https://www.aimpoint.com/ PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Video Chapters: (00:00) Kelly's Background & Personal Security Basics (06:10) Layered Personal Protection: Awareness, Dress & Home Security (08:48) Less-Lethal Tools, Improvised Weapons & Legal Risk (13:45) Cameras, Excessive Force & Fighting Under Pressure (17:10) Training Military vs. Law Enforcement vs. Civilians (21:42) Why "Women's Self-Defense" Is a Myth (28:51) Principle-Based vs. Technique-Based Combatives (40:09) Social Media Critics, State of Combatives & Red Dot Sights (58:38) Idaho Active Shooter Incident & Closing Thoughts
August 18 · 39 min
Gun Writer Richard Mann on Scout Rifles, Red Dots, & African Safaris
In today’s episode of Taking Aim, Rich Nance is joined by Richard Mann, shooting editor at Field and Stream, ammo columnist for American Rifleman, and one of the most prolific gun writers in the industry. Richard breaks down what a true “scout rifle” is, discusses red dot reliability, and why most shooters panic when their dot disappears. He also shares stories from decades of African safaris, from first-shot nerves, gut-shot mistakes, campfire debriefs, and why he keeps going back. More from Richard Mann: https://emptycases.substack.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Video Chapters: (00:00) Richard's Writing Career & Background (02:36) What Is a Scout Rifle? (Cooper's Concept & Controversy) (08:10) Gun Safety, Africa Prep & First Safari Nerves (18:37) Red Dot Sights: Training Mistakes & Reliability (26:07) Red Dots for Hunting & Dangerous Game (31:31) Why Africa Keeps Calling Him Back & Final Thoughts
August 11 · 50 min
Why Your Red Dot Isn't Making You Faster (You're Using It Wrong) | Buck Buckner
In today’s episode of Taking Aim, Rich Nance sits down with Buck Buckner, Training Manager for AimPoint USA and a 20+ year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard's deployable specialized forces, joins Taking Aim to break down what it really takes to master a red dot on a pistol. Whether you're in law enforcement, a competitive shooter, or just picked up your first red dot pistol, this conversation is packed with real, actionable insight from one of the most respected voices in red dot training. More from Buck: https://aimpoint.us/duane-buck-buckner Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Video Chapters: (00:00) Meet Buck Buckner (01:17) Why Police Are Slow to Adopt Red Dots (03:23) Buck's Coast Guard Career & Path to AimPoint (08:32) The Science of Simplicity: Sequential vs. Parallel Thinking (13:49) Emphatic vs. Subtle Signals (Why Red Dots Work) (18:23) Draw Stroke, Presentation & Weapon Retention (26:30) Common Grip & Aiming Errors (34:14) Grip Mechanics, Recoil Control & Head Stillness
August 4 · 1 hr 9 min
48 Years of Martial Arts Taught Me This About Real Self-Defense
In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with Cecil Burch, a third-degree black belt in Gracie jiu-jitsu and longtime martial arts and combatives instructor who owns Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Anthem in Arizona, to explore his decades-long journey through dozens of martial arts disciplines before settling on jiu-jitsu, the philosophy behind pressure-testing skills through real competition, the importance of training in a weapons-based environment for genuine self-defense, and the deeper lesson that true mastery means growing beyond imitation of any single instructor or system. Follow Cecil on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graciejiujitsuanthem/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters (00:00:00) Martial Arts Background & Early Training (00:06:44) Comparing Journeys: Magazines, Karate Kid & Adapting for the Street (00:11:03) Why Competition Matters: Pressure Testing (00:17:37) Process vs. Outcome & Self-Worth in Competition (00:18:52) Choosing Jiu-Jitsu as a Base & the Size/Strength Myth (00:25:43) Martial Arts Meets Firearms: Weapons-Based Training (00:32:12) The Cost of Hardcore Training (CTE & Injury) (00:45:09) Training Civilians vs. Law Enforcement vs. Military (00:52:05) Developing Your Own Style: The Bruce Lee Philosophy (01:06:27) Plugging the Academy & Where to Find Cecil
July 28 · 56 min
Why "Training" Isn't the Same as "Practice" — CJ Cowan Explains
In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with CJ Cowan, a Marine Corps combat veteran and the Training Coordinator for the Surefire Institute, to talk about his journey from a childhood spent learning marksmanship fundamentals with his grandfather to route clearance in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, and ultimately into a career built around training law enforcement and civilians alike. CJ and Rich dig into the real differences between training, practice, and competition, why a "gunfighter's mindset" matters more than a match score, the science of myelination and how skill actually gets built in the brain, and the low-light tactics, weapon lights, and red dot fundamentals every serious shooter should understand. Follow CJ Cowan on Instagram: @cj_cowan_ Learn more about the Surefire Institute: https://www.surefire.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & CJ's Background in Shooting and Hunting 02:57 – Marine Corps Service and Route Clearance in Afghanistan 04:51 – Competition Shooting vs. Training: The Gunfighter Mindset 09:49 – The Science of Skill: Myelination and How the Brain Learns 27:28 – Inside the Surefire Institute: Master Coach and Low-Light Training 39:15 – Weapon Lights, Handhelds, and Low-Light Best Practices 41:55 – Red Dots vs. Iron Sights: Building Automaticity and Speed
S2 · E19
July 21 · 45 min
Gave Up a 10-Year Sponsorship to Pursue Firearms (w/ Casey Starling)
In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with Casey Starling, a professional BMX street rider who has crossed over into the firearms world through sponsorships with Walther and Geissele, a move that cost him his nearly decade-long partnership with Kink BMX after the brand said it didn't want him mixing firearms content with his BMX career to explore the surprising parallels between the discipline, precision, and calculated mindset required to push the limits of BMX and the focus needed to shoot at a high level. Follow Casey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CASEYCASED/?__d=11 Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:55 - Casey's Background & Learning BMX 00:05:03 - Getting Sponsored & Going Pro in BMX 00:12:10 - Mindset: Full Commitment & Parallels to Shooting 00:17:12 - The Kink BMX Controversy & Firearms Sponsorship 00:39:44 - Gear Talk: Red Dot vs. Irons & Wrap Up
S2 · E18
July 14 · 38 min
Hunting Cape Buffalo with a Red Dot: Brad Fenson on Dangerous Game & Quick Target Acquisition
In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with Brad Fenson, an award-winning outdoor writer and photographer who has written for over 60 publications and co-authored the Canadian editions of the Total Outdoorsman, Total Fishing, and Total Gun manuals. They discuss Brad's childhood roots in waterfowl hunting, the craft of writing a compelling hunting story, and the evolution of bow and crossbow technology. Brad also shares his firsthand experience using red dot optics on dangerous game in Africa and while handgun hunting, emphasizing that consistency behind the trigger matters more than the gear itself. Along the way, he reflects on his podcast, Harvest Your Own, and how his daughters' growing involvement in the outdoors reflects his mission to pass hunting knowledge on to the next generation. Follow Brad on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/?hl=en Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S1 · E69
July 7 · 59 min
Steven Pressfield on Resistance, Turning Pro, and Why He Didn't Succeed Until Age 52
In this episode of Taking Aim, host Richard Nance sits down with acclaimed author Steven Pressfield best known for The War of Art, Gates of Fire, and The Legend of Bagger Vance for a wide ranging conversation about the creative process, the nature of resistance, and what it truly means to turn pro. Steven opens up about his long road to success, not publishing his first book until age 52, and shares the pivotal moment of sitting down at his typewriter one night that changed the trajectory of his life forever. The conversation digs into the concept of resistance as a universal force that sabotages anyone pursuing a meaningful goal — not just writers, but athletes, martial artists and anyone striving to become the best version of themselves. Steven also discusses his latest historical fiction novel The Arcadian, his recent experience losing his home in the Malibu fires, and how continuing to do the work has been the thing that has kept him grounded through it all. Visit Steven’s website at: https://stevenpressfield.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S2 · E16
June 30 · 56 min
How a Deployed Soldier Built a Big Game Hunting Empire From Scratch
In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with John McAdams — West Point graduate, combat veteran, and founder of The Big Game Hunting Blog & Podcast to explore the unlikely journey from Army deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to becoming one of hunting's most trusted voices. The two dig into the real lessons learned on dangerous game hunts in Africa, from the humbling experience of missing your first shot to why red dots have a legitimate place on big bore rifles. John also breaks down the biggest misconceptions in cartridge selection and the mental pressure that separates a clean kill from a costly miss. Visit John Mcadams blog at: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S2 · E15
June 23 · 1 hr 1 min
Active Self-Protection's John Correia: What 50,000 Real Gunfights Taught Me
In this episode of the Taking Aim podcast Richard Nance sits down with John Correia, founder of Active Self-Protection, whose YouTube channel has analyzed upwards of 50,000 real-world violent incidents to extract actionable lessons for armed citizens. The conversation covers the nuances of video analysis, the importance of articulation in legal self-defense cases, and Correia's work as an expert witness — including his philosophy that an expert's job is to educate the jury, not advocate for a side. They also dig into training principles, the advantages of pistol-mounted optics, and the gap between hard shooting skills and real-world decision-making under stress. Correia closes with a firsthand account of a home intruder breaking into his Phoenix home in March, walking through what went right, what he'd do differently, and the legal aftermath that followed. Visit Active Self Protection website at: https://activeselfprotection.com/ Subscribe to Active Self-Protection on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsE_m2z1NrvF2ImeNWh84mw Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S2 · E14
June 16 · 31 min
The Mindset of High Performers | Mike Pannone, Andy Stumpf & Scott Jedlinski
In this episode of Taking Aim, some of the most impactful conversations from the podcast with renowned firearms instructors like Mike Pannone and Scott Jedlinski, as well former Navy SEAL Andy Stumpf are revisited. Together, they explore the mindset of high performers, discussing what it takes to develop skills, maintain competency, and continually improve under pressure. From overcoming the fear of failure and embracing the learning process to understanding the responsibility that comes with firearms proficiency, each guest offers practical insights drawn from decades of experience. Whether you're looking to become faster, more efficient, or simply more capable, this episode is packed full of essential firearm knowledge. Be sure to follow the guests of today’s episode on Instagram at the links below: Mike Pannone: https://www.instagram.com/cttsolutionsllc/ Andy Stumpf: https://www.instagram.com/andystumpf212/ Scott Jedlinski: https://www.instagram.com/modern_samurai_project/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S1 · E13
June 9 · 1 hr 3 min
The Navy SEAL Who Rewrote the Rules of Fighting in the Dark (w/ Ken Good)
In this episode of the Taking Aim Podcast, host Rich Nance sits down with Ken Good — Navy SEAL veteran, low light combat pioneer, and founder of Shooter First — to explore the principles behind operating and fighting effectively in low light environments, including the science behind strobe and oscillating light techniques that Ken helped bring into the mainstream. Ken shares his remarkable journey from the SEAL teams and the Sure Fire Institute to designing and manufacturing innovative modular steel target systems in South Dakota, revealing how his decades of end-user experience as a trainer and operator directly shaped every product decision. Whether you are a law enforcement professional, military operator, or armed citizen, this conversation is packed with timeless insights on combatives, force-on-force training, and why understanding the principles behind your tools will always matter more than the tools themselves. Visit Shooter First’s website at: https://shooterfirst.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S2 · E12
June 2 · 1 hr 11 min
INSIDE Defensive Tactics Training — A BJJ Black Belt and SWAT Leader Breaks Down Everything
In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with Scott St. Clair — Marine Corps veteran, BJJ black belt, former 14 year law enforcement sergeant and SWAT team leader, and now full time head instructor for Effective Fitness Combatives — for one of the most practically useful conversations the show has produced on what it actually means to prepare officers for the full spectrum of violence they may encounter on the street. The central thesis that defines everything EFC teaches and that Rich has been advocating throughout his own career is simple but radical in practice — firearms training and empty hand combatives are not two separate disciplines but one integrated fight, and the decades long tradition of keeping those worlds in separate silos has produced officers who are dangerously undertrained and who revert to instinct when their choreographed technique based defensive tactics fail against a resisting suspect. Scott and Rich cover an enormous amount of ground including the case for principle based over technique based training built around EFC's five core principles of awareness, mobility, win the angle, manage distance and lastly improvisation, why BJJ is valuable for law enforcement but must be filtered through a law enforcement specific lens with constant awareness of gear entanglement and the need to disengage at any moment, the mechanics of firearm retention and why the flippant response of I will just shoot them off reveals a dangerous misunderstanding of how a real gun grab unfolds, the cancer of tool over reliance and why officers need a plan for when the Taser fails, and the growing importance of competition shooting and sport grappling as pressure testing environments that build hard skills under stress that most agency training never produces. The episode closes with both men expressing genuine optimism that the culture is slowly changing and that the next generation entering law enforcement is arriving more willing to seek out serious training on their own time than any generation before them.Visit EFC Combatives website at: https://www.efcombatives.com/homeFollow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSAVisit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn morePRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S2 · E11
May 26 · 57 min
What Actually Happens Inside a Cartridge Case in the Milliseconds After You Pull the Trigger (w/ Jeff Siewert)
In this episode of the Taking Aim podcast, host Rich Nance sits down with Jeff Siewert, a recently retired ballistics engineer with 40 years of experience and the author of Ammunition Demystified, for one of the most genuinely educational conversations the show has produced. Jeff stumbled into his career completely by accident after returning from 18 months in Saudi Arabia training the Saudi National Guard and landing in a job at an ammunition group in Burlington Vermont that he never left — and the depth of knowledge he brings to the conversation makes it immediately clear why. Rich frames the entire discussion from the perspective of an experienced cop and gun writer who knows what he does not know, which creates the perfect dynamic for Jeff to break down concepts that most shooters think they understand but really do not. They cover the four types of ballistics — internal external intermediate and terminal — with Jeff offering remarkably clear explanations of everything from what happens inside a cartridge case in the milliseconds after the firing pin strikes the primer to the little understood phenomenon of in bore balloting and how the dynamic interaction between a vibrating barrel and a projectile in flight is responsible for far more dispersion than most shooters ever realize. The conversation moves into cartridge case materials explaining why brass remains the gold standard and what steel and polymer cases actually do to your firearm over time before getting into barrel twist rate the gyroscopic stability factor and why most handgun barrels are spinning bullets far faster than they need to be. Jeff shares some of the most fascinating projects of his career including dispersion reduction work on the M855A1 and M80A1 for the military a bizarre 22 rimfire nontoxic bullet that produced two inch groups at 50 yards and two and a half foot groups at 100 yards due to a fundamental aerodynamics problem he identified and solved through computer modeling and his classified but clearly significant work on the 6.8mm Next Generation Weapon System. The episode closes with Jeff discussing his book his ballistics classes at a local Scheels location and the Chin Award he received in 2024 for a lifetime of contributions to the advancement of small caliber weapons and ammunition — and if you have any interest in what is actually happening between the primer and the target this is the episode to save and come back to. Visit Jeff’s website at: https://bulletology.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S2 · E10
May 19 · 1 hr 13 min
The Bone Collector on Turkey Calling, Red Dots and Why Hunters Are the Original Self Reliant Americans (w/ Michael Waddell)
In this episode of the Taking Aim podcast, host Rich Nance sits down with Michael Waddell known widely as the Bone Collector for one of the most wide ranging and genuinely entertaining conversations the show has produced. Michael opens up about growing up in Booger Bottom, Georgia, a place so rural and so authentically country that it shaped everything about who he became: the work ethic, the humility, the storytelling and the deep reverence for hunting, faith and the simple life. The two cover an enormous amount of ground together, starting with how Michael broke into the hunting industry by winning a turkey calling contest and eventually working his way up through guiding, running camera for Realtree and ultimately creating the Bone Collector brand and television show. Michael gets surprisingly deep on the philosophy of success — talking about how most people fail not because they tried and fell short but because they never tried at all, using vivid analogies from Blake Shelton moving to Nashville at 17 to Chipper Jones starting on a tee ball field — before pivoting to some of the most practical and entertaining turkey calling advice you will hear anywhere, including the unforgettable story of buying condoms at gas station vending machines as a kid just to cut them up and build mouth calls. The conversation also covers the transferable skills between tactical and hunting disciplines, the power of red dots for turkey hunting and shotguns generally, the role of technology in the modern outdoors, what it means to Michael to bring celebrities like Kirk Cameron and Theo Von into the hunting world and introduce them to a way of life that is about far more than killing animals — it is about self reliance protection provision and a connection to something real in a world that has largely lost it. Rich and Michael close out with a genuine and moving reflection on what it means to be a man in today's society and why the hunting community has something powerful to offer people who have never held a firearm or spent a morning in the woods. Follow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialbonecollector/Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S2 · E9
May 12 · 57 min
The Karate Hottie Reveals What Nobody Sees Before She Walks Into the Octagon
In this episode of the Taking Aim podcast, host Rich Nance sits down with Michelle Waterson-Gomez, known as the Karate Hottie, for a wide ranging conversation that covers her remarkable journey from a karate-obsessed kid inspired by Mortal Kombat and Jean-Claude Van Damme movies to becoming one of the pioneering women of professional MMA. Michelle shares how martial arts gave her a voice and a sense of identity at a critical point in her life, how training at the legendary Jackson Wink gym alongside fighters like Donald Cerrone, Rashad Evans and Georges St-Pierre shaped her career, and how being the smallest fighter in every room forced her to develop speed, creativity and adaptability that would define her style. She opens up about the unique dynamic of having her husband Josh in her corner as both coach and contract negotiator, the mental challenges of fighting in front of millions of people and what she misses most about the sport. The conversation transitions into her acting career, discussing her role in the Netflix action film Havoc alongside Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker, her upcoming appearance in Keith Jardine and Donald Cerrone's Western film Kill Me Again, and the surprisingly deep parallels between adapting in a fight and being present in a scene. Rich and Michelle also dig into her journey as a competitive shooter and member of Team Aim Point, how she overcame a fear of firearms to earn her concealed carry and compete in the grueling Tactical Games, and her thoughts on the upcoming Gina Carano versus Ronda Rousey fight and what it means for two women who helped build the sport she loves. Follow Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karatehottiemma/: Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S2 · E8
May 5 · 59 min
20 Years at Aimpoint With the World's Most Trusted Red Dot (w/John Enloe)
In this episode of the Taking Aim podcast, host Rich Nance sits down with John Enloe, Technical Services Manager at Aimpoint for 20 years and a lifelong competitive shooter whose journey into the shooting sports began as a retired professional snowboarder looking for a new competitive outlet. John shares how he fell into USPS competition after meeting a young BJ Norris at a gun store, and how shooting alongside legends like Todd Jarrett and Tommy Thacker shaped his philosophy of always being a student of the craft. The conversation covers a wide range of technical ground including the evolution of red dots on pistols and the resistance law enforcement agencies historically showed toward optic adoption, the advantages of direct mounting over plate systems, and the engineering brilliance behind the Aimpoint CoA and its innovative A-cut mounting system. John breaks down some of the most common questions he fields daily — from customers struggling to find the dot due to improper focus technique, to concerns about battery life, zero retention and optic durability under extreme conditions. Rich and John also discuss the importance of both-eyes-open shooting, the challenges of cross-eye dominance, proper zeroing techniques, and the growing relevance of red dots across every shooting discipline from competition to wing shooting to dangerous game hunting in Africa. The episode wraps up with John sharing some of the most remarkable examples of Aimpoint durability he has encountered in his service work, including optics that survived IED blasts, house fires and motorcycle accidents while somehow still holding zero. To learn more about John visit: https://aimpoint.us/news-updates/tip-tuesday/properly-mounting-your-sight-with-john-enloe?srsltid=AfmBOopcKneryK9Izto17Phcvcygvm6uDD9sijNQrOrMya9a9v9jUhBU Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S2 · E7
April 28 · 1 hr 8 min
The Truth About Long Range Hunting Nobody Wants to Admit with Outdoor Life’s Editor John Snow
In this episode of the Taking Aim podcast, host Rich Nance sits down with John Snow, the shooting editor of Outdoor Life — only the fifth person to hold that title in the magazine's history dating back to 1898. John shares his unconventional path into the outdoors, growing up in Connecticut without a hunting or shooting family background, essentially teaching himself through sheer curiosity and what he jokingly calls a "feral" childhood. The conversation covers his journalism career, which took him from the Hartford Courant to The New York Times before he eventually transitioned into the outdoor industry. The two dig deep into long range shooting, discussing the mental and technical demands of competitions like NLR Hunter and PRS matches, the importance of wind reading, shooting position flexibility, and how competition experience translates directly into becoming a better hunter in the field. John also shares his thoughts on red dot optics, cartridge selection for new shooters — strongly advocating for the 6.5 Creedmoor as a versatile starting point — and the often misunderstood world of terminal ballistics. The episode wraps up with John reflecting on some of his most memorable hunts across the globe, his belief in authentic storytelling, and the legacy of the iconic shooting editors who came before him, including Jack O'Connor and Jim Carmichael. Follow John on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/john_b_snow/Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD
S2 · E6
April 21 · 57 min
From Venezuelan Teen to Olympian: How Gabby Franco Conquered Shooting With Her Mind
In this episode of The Taking Aim podcast, host Rich Nance welcomes Olympic pistol shooter and mental-performance coach Gabby Franco, who shares how she discovered the sport as a tiny Venezuelan teenager tagging along with her hunter father to a range, fell in love with its purely mental challenge, and rose rapidly to silver medals at the South American, Central American, and Pan American Games—securing her spot as Venezuela’s first female Olympic shooter at age 19 without ever dreaming of the podium. Franco explains that early success taught her a life-changing lesson in emotional control: a silver medal that initially disappointed her instantly became thrilling once she learned it qualified her for the Olympics, proving we can reframe setbacks in seconds. After moving to the U.S., surviving rock-bottom personal and professional struggles, and appearing on Top Shot as the first woman to reach the individual competition and All-Stars, she shifted from elite competition to coaching, earning her master’s degree summa cum laude and pursuing certification as a mental-performance consultant. She now helps athletes, law-enforcement officers, business owners, and parents through her AMP Mindset framework—Awareness, Mindset, Process—emphasizing holistic balance across life domains rather than single-minded obsession, practical techniques like process-focused self-talk over outcome fixation, and her book Troubleshooting: Mastering Your Pistol Marksmanship, which serves as a range-bag companion for diagnosing and fixing shooting problems. Franco’s message is clear: medals and titles matter less than the effort, the lessons, and the well-rounded life you build along the way. Follow Gabby on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/gabbyfrancots4/Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

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