Erik Cortina—yes, that Erik Cortina, a renowned rifle shooter and creator of some of the most interesting rifle accessories—hosts a podcast titled "Believe the Target." His podcast brings on some of the biggest names in the precision rifle world. The show has it all, from shooters to manufacturers to gunsmiths. For the casual (or even the more experienced shooter), these episodes offer insights into the thinking and the drive required to reach the top. In a recent episode, Erik hosted Chad Heckler, a PRS World Champion, gunsmith, pilot, and all-around great guy.
In this nearly 90-minute episode, Chad explores the mindset and drive that make him one of the best shooters and competitors in the world. He highlights a few key points, including the importance of multifaceted skills, mindset, and the role of stress management. He reframes challenges as opportunities—like golf, for instance—goal setting and preparation for success (i.e., visualization and deep breathing; try it. Trust me). Chad also discusses the importance of community, being a member of Team USA (which brings national pride), training methods, performance analysis, and, of course, the challenges of precision rifle shooting and how to overcome them. (There's also plenty of great match prep and reloading tips!)
But if there's one takeaway from this episode, it's to never shy away from learning and adapting. Whether in competition or in life, we can all learn and be flexible enough to overcome adversity. That's what separates a great athlete from a novice. If Scottie Scheffler makes a bad drive off the tee, it doesn't ruin his round; he resets and overcomes, just like Chad Heckler does. A dropped shot or a missed wind call doesn't derail his chances. Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to prevail. This is even more pronounced at the international level when the USA flag is on your chest. He represents something greater than himself. He represents the people, and his drive and determination reflect that. As for Chad, he believes he doesn't deserve the accolades. Through humility and self-motivation, he strives to perform. And if that performance is worthy, then he accepts it.
This episode is packed with valuable insights and is a must-listen for any casual or competitive shooter. Mindset, arguably more than physical prowess, distinguishes those who succeed from those who fail. For more episodes of the Believe the Target podcast, click here. To learn more about Erik Cortina, follow him here.
