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In this episode of the Tru2Shooters Podcast, hosts Tyler Wildman and Michael Fitzner sit down with none other than Les Lala III — NSSA World Champion skeet shooter, coach, and all-around class act — for a powerful conversation about comeback, competition, and keeping perspective. 🙌

From his early days playing college football to stepping away from the game to raise a family — and then making an unforgettable return to the skeet world — Les shares how faith, perseverance, and community have shaped his journey both on and off the field.

Hear Les talk about:
🔥 His legendary 1999 World Championship win over Wayne Mays
💪 The mental game that separates good shooters from great ones
🎯 What it’s like to shoot alongside legends like Bill Burke, Sheaffer Stanfill, and Houston Deshotels

💬 His coaching philosophy and how he’s helping the next generation find their rhythm in skeet

This episode is full of heart, humility, and hard-earned wisdom — a reminder that in this sport (and in life), iron truly does sharpen iron. ⚡️

👉 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

#Tru2ShootersPodcast #LesLalaIII #ClayTargetNation #WorldChampion #SkeetShooting #SportingClays #TrapShooting #BreakClays #IronSharpensIron

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In this powerhouse episode of the Tru2Shooters Podcast, hosts Tyler Wildman and Michael Fitzner sit down with none other than Todd Bender — the winningest skeet shooter in history, 26-time NSSA World Champion, and the first-ever NSSA Master Instructor. Recognized worldwide as the leading authority in shotgun instruction, Todd brings decades of championship experience and teaching wisdom to the conversation.

From his early training with England’s CPSA to coaching Olympic athletes and mentoring the next generation, Todd shares what it really takes to compete at the highest level. The guys dive into the mental side of skeet, the importance of fundamentals, and why coaching has become as rewarding to him as collecting championships.

🎯 What to Expect:
✔️ Lessons from Todd’s journey to 26 World Championships
✔️ How mental preparation separates winners from the rest
✔️ The evolution of skeet and its growing global community
✔️ Todd’s role as NSSA Master Instructor and mentor to champions
✔️ Tips for athletes at every level — from youth to seasoned competitors

Whether you’re stepping onto the field for your first registered shoot or chasing titles at the national level, this episode is packed with insight from one of the sport’s true legends.

Subscribe now, and follow @Tru2Shooters on Instagram and Facebook for more conversations that celebrate the athletes, coaches, and leaders shaping the clay target world. 🎙️🔥

#Tru2ShootersPodcast #ToddBender #SkeetShooting #ClayTargetNation #BreakClays #ShotgunSports #MindsetMatters

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In this hilarious and heartfelt episode of the Tru2Shooters Podcast, hosts Tyler Wildman and Michael Fitzner sit down with two of the sport’s most entertaining athletes — Steve “Woody” Wood and Dessislav “Dess” Ivanov. Shooting partners, travel buddies, and all-around crowd favorites, Woody and Dess share their journey from a small New York gun club to competing at the World Skeet Championships.

From Woody’s AA Doubles win and their epic road trip stories, to squad camaraderie, equipment choices, and even why pizza might be the ultimate skeet sponsor, this conversation has it all. Between the laughs, they also open up about respect on the field, the importance of having a strong squad, and the best advice they have for new and youth shooters.

🎯 What to Expect:
✔️ Woody’s World Skeet Championship highlights (and cereal out of trophies 🏆)
✔️ Dess’ Bulgarian roots, humor, and why having a good squadmate matters
✔️ The role of respect, sportsmanship, and fun in skeet shooting
✔️ Gear talk — Beretta, Krieghoff, Briley tubes, and more
✔️ Advice for youth: find a buddy, keep it fun, and just start shooting
✔️ Plenty of pizza, punchlines, and behind-the-scenes laughs 🍕😂

Subscribe now, and follow @Tru2Shooters on Instagram and Facebook for more conversations that bring out the heart (and humor) of the clay target world. 🎙️🔥

#Tru2ShootersPodcast #SkeetShooting #ClayTargetNation #BreakClays #PizzaAndPulls #SquadGoals

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In this powerful episode of the Tru2Shooters Podcast, hosts Tyler Wildman and Michael Fitzner sit down with Alessandro Vitale — Team Krieghoff Captain, NSSA/NSCA National Board Member, and founder of Highland Sporting Outfitters. From his start as a young hunter to developing his skills on the field and becoming a leader in the skeet shooting world to leading one of the top gun dealerships in the country, Alessandro shares his journey, his PASSION for the sport, and his MISSION to make skeet and sporting clays accessible, welcoming, and family-focused.

The conversation dives deep into the behind-the-scenes work of the NSSA and NSCA, the importance of mentorship and coaching, and the vision for growing the next generation of clay target athletes. Alessandro also opens up about why he started Highland Sporting Outfitters, how customer service sets them apart, and the lessons he’s passing down to his own son as he takes up the sport.

And to top it off — Tru2Shooters officially announces its new partnership with Highland Sporting Outfitters, giving listeners direct access to the best in guns, gear, and service. 🚀

🎯 What to Expect:
✔️ Alessandro’s journey from hunting to leading Team Krieghoff
✔️ The mission and community impact of NSSA & NSCA
✔️ Why every shoot-off matters — and how to learn from each one
✔️ How Highland Sporting Outfitters is changing the game with in-house service & support
✔️ The future of skeet & sporting clays in the next 5–10 years
✔️ Tru2Shooters’ exciting new partnership with Highland Sporting Outfitters

Subscribe now, and follow @Tru2Shooters on Instagram and Facebook for more conversations that celebrate the athletes, brands, and communities shaping the clay target world. 🎙️🔥

#Tru2ShootersPodcast #HighlandSportingOutfitters #Krieghoff #SkeetShooting #SportingClays #ClayTargetNation #BreakClays #YouthShooting

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In this special episode of the Tru2Shooters Podcast, hosts Tyler Wildman and Michael Fitzner take the mics for a full season recap. From blizzard-shortened early shoots in Michigan to major stops like the Triple J Classic, Krieghoff Masters, U.S. Open, SCTP Nationals, and Junior Worlds, the guys share their favorite stories, biggest challenges, and funniest memories from one of their busiest seasons yet!

They also open up about the lessons learned along the way — from battling monsoon rains at Mid-America, to chasing medals at Nationals, to the road trip adventures and blackjack tournaments at Junior Worlds.

Looking ahead, Tyler and Michael preview the rest of 2025, including the Kasle Family Shoot, Mini Worlds, and the NSSA World Championships in Texas — and what they’re most excited about as the season continues.

🎯 What to Expect:
✔️ Behind-the-scenes stories from this year’s biggest shoots
✔️ Lessons learned from both triumphs and struggles
✔️ Favorite memories from Junior Worlds and Nationals
✔️ What’s next on the 2025 calendar

Subscribe now, and follow @Tru2Shooters on Instagram and Facebook for more stories that celebrate the athletes, events, and memories shaping the clay target world. 🎙️🔥

#Tru2ShootersPodcast #ClayTargetNation #SkeetShooting #TrapShooting #SportingClays #YouthShooting

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🎙️ Tru2Shooters Podcast | Episode 13: “Healing Through the Hunt with Carson Nyenhuis from Hunt 2 Heal”

In this inspiring episode of the Tru2Shooters Podcast, we sit down with Carson Nyenhuis, founder of Hunt 2 Heal, to talk about breaking barriers in the outdoors and empowering individuals with disabilities to experience the healing power of nature. 🌲

Hosts Tyler Wildman and Michael Fitzner dive into the mission behind Hunt 2 Heal—providing fully accessible hunting and shooting opportunities, complete with adaptive equipment, specialized support, and a welcoming community. Carson shares his personal journey, the heart behind the organization, and the life-changing impact it has on participants and their families.

From adaptive gun stands to barrier-free blinds, this conversation shines a spotlight on what’s possible when passion meets purpose. Whether you’re a shooter, hunter, volunteer, or simply someone who believes in equal access to the outdoors—this is a can’t-miss episode.

💥 What to Expect:
✔️ The mission and story behind Hunt 2 Heal
✔️ How adaptive equipment makes shooting and hunting accessible
✔️ Stories of transformation and community from the field
✔️ How you can support Hunt 2 Heal’s mission

Subscribe now, and follow @Tru2Shooters on Instagram and Facebook for more conversations that celebrate the people shaping the clay target and hunting world. 🎙️🔥

#Tru2ShootersPodcast #Hunt2Heal #CarsonNyenhuis #AdaptiveSports #AccessibleOutdoors #ClayTargetNation #HuntingLife #BreakBarriers #SkeetShooting

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In this episode of the Tru2Shooters Podcast, we sit down with Connor Thigpen, the youngest shooter to ever win the NSSA Open World Skeet Championship, to talk about what it really takes to hit the top—and stay there. 💥

Hosts Tyler Wildman and Michael Fitzner catch up with Connor fresh off his NSSA Junior World wins in Waco, Texas. From early days in 4-H to breaking records on the world stage, Connor shares the highs, the hard work, and the hilarious moments that shaped his journey.

You’ll hear stories of mental discipline, midnight drive-thrus, fixing lawnmowers for gas money, and why your squad absolutely matters. We dive into the mindset behind greatness, his advice to up-and-comers, and why—even at the top—there’s always more to learn.

🎯 What to Expect:
✔️ How Connor made history at the NSSA World Championships
✔️ The mental side of skeet (and how to recover from a bad round)
✔️ Connor’s dream squad, gear picks & rituals
✔️ Real talk about pressure, patience, and perfection
✔️ Why starting young—and staying humble—matters

This episode is packed with insight, grit, and a whole lot of heart. Whether you’re a junior shooter, coach, or just love the game, you’ll walk away inspired.

👉 Subscribe now, and follow @Tru2Shooters on Instagram and Facebook to stay locked in on the latest from the line.

#Tru2ShootersPodcast #ConnorThigpen #YoungChampion #NSSAWorldChamp #SkeetShooting #ClayTargetNation #YouthShooting #BreakClays #MentalToughness

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In this episode of the Tru2Shooters Podcast, we go behind the scenes of one of the most impactful youth shooting programs in the country—the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)—with National Director Wayne Rasmussen. 💬🔥

Recorded live at SCTP Nationals at the Cardinal Center, hosts Tyler Wildman and Michael Fitzner sit down with Wayne to talk about the real impact SCTP has on athletes, families, and the future of clay target sports. From mental toughness and mentorship to safety and character development, this episode dives into the heart of what makes SCTP more than just a competition—it’s a movement.

🎯 What to Expect:
✔️ How Wayne went from SCTP parent to national director
✔️ What makes SCTP one of the safest and most respected youth sports
✔️ The role of mentorship and teamwork in athlete development
✔️ Why coaching, volunteering & giving back matter more than ever
✔️ How to start or join an SCTP team near you

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete—this is a must-listen conversation on growing the sport, building strong teams, and why youth clay target shooting is truly a family affair.

Subscribe now and follow @Tru2Shooters on Instagram and Facebook to stay locked in on all things clay target sports. 🎙️💥

#Tru2ShootersPodcast #SCTP #YouthShootingSports #ShotgunLife #ClayTargetNation #BreakClays #MentalToughness #StartATeam #WayneRasmussen

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