The Clay Lab Network Podcast

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What happens when an analytical mind learns when to stop analyzing?
In this episode of Clay Mastermind: Mental Excellence & Industry Insights, Dawn Grant sits down with longtime competitive shooter, instructor, writer, and women’s shooting advocate Dee Orr for a conversation that moves from elite performance to one of the most successful initiatives bringing women into Sporting Clays.
Dee’s rise in the sport happened quickly. After getting involved in Sporting Clays in the early 2000s, she became the 2005 Maryland State Lady Champion, represented Team USA in England in 2008 when the team won gold, and became a longtime All-American. She also began writing for Clay Shooting USA. Dee shares in the episode that she is being inducted into the NSCA Hall of Fame and receiving the Hal duPont Service Award. 
But some of Dee’s most valuable lessons aren't about mechanics.
Dee and Dawn dive into the battle between the analytical mind and the instinctive skills needed to perform. Dee explains how she analyzes a target, makes her plan—and then deliberately releases that thinking so she can trust her eyes and hands. Her simple reminder: look at the target and trust what you see. 
They also discuss competition pressure, why shooters become too careful when scores matter, learning to focus one target at a time, and why sometimes the breakthrough happens when you finally let go. 
Then Dee shares the story and mission of the FSCA Honey Belles, a Florida Sporting Clays Association initiative designed to make women feel comfortable and confident entering the shooting sports. Through education, women teaching women, beginner clinics, affordable access, and a supportive community, the program has introduced more than 1,200 women to the sport. 
It's a conversation about shooting—but even more about trust, focus, community, confidence, and getting out of your own way.
 
Dee Orr Links
FSCA Honeybelles Website:
 https://sites.google.com/view/fscahoneybelles/home
Facebook:
 https://www.facebook.com/HoneybellesFL
Email:
 FSCAHoneybelles@gmail.com
Syren USA / Dee Orr Feature:
 Meet the FSCA Honeybelles and Dee Orr
NSCA Hall of Fame Announcement:
 Dee Orr – 2026 NSCA Hall of Fame / Hal duPont Service Award
 
Dawn Grant Links  
https://dawngrant.com/ 
https://mindmastered.com/  
https://ameliashotgunsports.com/ 
 
Free webinar here: https://f.mtr.cool/wehmqlchqh
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Robin Sheehan joins Dawn Grant on Clay Mastermind: Mental Excellence and Industry Insights for a conversation on Sporting Clays, women in shooting sports, mental performance, target setting, instruction, hunting, and building a stronger community for female shooters. Robin is the founder of Annie Oakley Shooters of Northern Illinois, an NSCA Level I Instructor, SCTP coach, board member at Gallatin Sporting Clays, former U.S. Shooting Team rifle competitor, and a passionate advocate for helping women find their place in clay target sports. 
In this episode, Robin shares how she grew up in New Jersey in a family of pheasant hunters and later became a highly competitive smallbore rifle shooter. As a young athlete, she earned multiple national titles, international success, and All-American honors in college. After a successful professional career in investment banking, consulting, and aviation sales, Robin returned to shooting later in life through Sporting Clays when her son began taking lessons to prepare for a family pheasant hunt.
Dawn and Robin discuss the major differences between rifle shooting and shotgun sports, including the challenge of moving from a stationary target and sight-based discipline into the visual, instinctive, moving-target world of Sporting Clays. Robin explains how barrel awareness, eye dominance, mechanics, and over-analysis created challenges when she began shooting shotguns, especially after years of precision rifle habits.
A major focus of the episode is women in Sporting Clays. Robin shares how Annie Oakley Shooters of Northern Illinois was created to provide training, educational, and competitive opportunities for women. She discusses the importance of creating a welcoming environment where women feel respected, supported, safe, and encouraged from their very first experience with a shotgun.
Dawn and Robin also discuss the difference in communication styles when coaching women, the problem of unsolicited advice, and why women often thrive in supportive clinics where they can learn without intimidation or condescension. Robin explains how the Annie Oakleys work to train instructors, host clinics, organize female registered shoots, and create a community where women can enjoy the sport while developing confidence.
The conversation also explores target setting, including Robin’s experience taking a target setting clinic, her appreciation for the physical and creative demands of the work, and the artistic element involved in using terrain, distance, backgrounds, angles, and target selection to create meaningful presentations.
Dawn and Robin also touch on the mental game, including Robin’s awareness that discipline, mechanics, fitness, diet, and preparation are not always enough when the mind becomes mechanical or self-conscious under pressure. They discuss focus, confidence, ego, trust, humility, and the challenge of moving from conscious control into a more natural performance state.
This episode offers valuable insight for Sporting Clays shooters, instructors, women competitors, hunters, target setters, and anyone interested in growing the sport through better coaching, stronger community, and more inclusive opportunities.
 
Robin Sheehan Links:
Annie Oakley Shooters of Northern Illinois Website:
 https://annieoakleyshootersni.org/
Email:
 info@annieoakleyshootersni.org
Board of Directors Page:
 https://annieoakleyshootersni.org/about-us/annies-committee/
Facebook Group:
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/annieoakleyshootersni/
Northbrook Sports Club:
 https://northbrooksportsclub.org/
Gallatin Sporting Clays:
 https://gallatinsportingclays.com/
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On this episode of the Matson Shooting Academy Podcast, hosted by Cody Matson and brought to you by The Clay Lab Network, 2014 National Champion and veteran coach Pat Lieske explains why better shooting begins with a system. Instead of simply chasing the miss, Pat focuses on building an intentional, repeatable process that helps shooters understand exactly what happened on every target. From maintaining detailed logbooks and developing effective pre-shot routines to using visualization and honest self-evaluation, he shares the habits that separate advanced competitors from shooters who struggle to turn practice into better scores.
 
Pat breaks down how a shooter’s log can become the foundation of long-term improvement and why identifying one major weakness should guide most of a focused practice session. He explains his angle, speed, and distance method for reading targets, along with how to determine whether a miss came from the initial setup, poor execution, or an incorrect target read. Pat also discusses the power of visualization, showing how mental repetitions can reinforce the same skills developed through live-fire practice. His approach gives shooters a clear framework for diagnosing mistakes, making productive adjustments, and building a pre-shot routine that remains dependable under pressure.
 
The conversation also explores Pat Lieske’s journey from his early years shooting skeet to witnessing the growth of sporting clays in the United States. He explains why he left public accounting to build a full-time career in the shooting industry and how that decision led to a business centered on coaching, gun sales, and range operations. Pat also shares the creative event formats he used to attract hundreds of new NSCA members and discusses why creating a welcoming environment is essential to growing the sport.
 
Pat Lieske is the owner of Michigan Shooting Centers, with locations in Lake Orion and Brighton, Michigan. He is a longtime competitor, instructor, and industry professional known for his practical, process-first approach to shooting. He also serves as the United States importer for Cayman and Cosmi shotguns. This episode is essential listening for sporting clays shooters, coaches, and anyone looking to turn more practice into measurable performance. Pat delivers high-level, immediately useful advice that can change the way you prepare for, read, and approach every target.
 
Pat Lieske: (248) 437-2784 or (248) 693-0567
Website: https://mishoot.com/shooting-instruction/
 
 
Cody Matson: (770) 293-8820
Matson Shooting Academy: https://www.matsonshootingacademy.com/
MSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matsonshootingacademy/
 
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MSA Podcast Episode features Unlock the secret to effortless shooting mastery by tapping into your subconscious — discover how visual control and mental focus elevate your game beyond the physical. In this episode, renowned eye doctor Dr. Richard Colo joins shooting coach Cody Matson for a deep dive into the mental mechanics behind precision shooting. They explore groundbreaking insights on how to eliminate flinches, master visual attention, and seamlessly let the shot happen, rather than force it.You’ll discover:
·        The crucial difference between “making it happen” and “letting it happen,” and how your eyes lead your hands for more effortless, confident shots.
·        The three core elements of sports vision training: visual control, eyes-first focus, and soft fuzzy attention — and how to harness them for peak performance.
·        The impact of mental state transitions, like from conscious to subconscious, on shot accuracy — including how to conquer the dreaded flinch and target panic.
·        Practical routines, including breath control and eye pauses, that set up your brain to fire smoothly at the perfect moment.
·        Why high-level shooters accelerate their gun first, and how your visual attention influences that process.
Whether you're a competitive shooter striving for that next level or an enthusiast eager to shoot more consistently, this episode reveals how understanding and training your vision can transform your results. Don’t rely on willpower alone — learn how your brain and eyes can work together behind the scenes to make shooting feel natural and effortless. Join Cody and Dr. Colo as they unpack proven techniques, surprising research, and personal experiences that put the power of the subconscious into your hands. Improve your focus, reduce anxiety, and unlock your true shooting potential—because seeing is winning. Perfect for shooters at all levels ready to go beyond mechanics and tap into your mental game. Tune in, and start letting your eyes do the work for you. Guest: Dr. Richard Colo, an acclaimed sports vision expert, brings over 35 years of experience helping shooters see their best. His work has changed how many top athletes approach performance through vision training.
 
Doctor Richard Colo Links
Website: https://doctorcolo.com/
Phone: (860) 558-4610
 
Cody Matson: (770) 293-8820
Matson Shooting Academy: https://www.matsonshootingacademy.com/
MSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matsonshootingacademy/
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On this episode of Matson Shooting Academy Podcast hosted by The Clay Lab Network, imagine transforming the way you approach clay shooting with practical, step-by-step insights from a seasoned pro who's been in your shoes. Cody Jesse, a top-tier shooter and expert coach, shares the secrets behind building confidence in beginners, fine-tuning advanced skills, and creating courses that inspire both pros and newcomers. If you're tired of shooting frustration and want to unlock your full potential, this episode is your game-changer. Cody starts by revealing how his upbringing in hunting and outdoor sports laid the foundation for his success—not just as a shooter, but as a coach passionate about bringing others into the sport. He discusses his journey from hunting guide to leading the redesign of a premier clay target course, emphasizing how terrain, course design, and relationship-building elevate the shooting experience. You'll discover his philosophy on progressive target presentation—from easy incomers to challenging pairs—and how tailoring targets to shooters' handedness or skill level boosts confidence and consistency. We break down actionable coaching strategies Cody uses at every level: introducing new shooters safely with lightweight, low-recoil shotguns; teaching visual detail to improve target tracking; and instilling the mental discipline needed for mastery. Cody emphasizes how understanding and leveraging that core visual and mechanical "tool set" transforms novices into capable, confident shooters—without overwhelm. He also dives into his own practice routines: watching targets, isolating weaknesses like barrel control, and how to avoid common pitfalls like pushing beyond one's skill level too quickly. Why does this matter? Because in a sport where perfection is built on minute adjustments, understanding how to craft the right environment and mindset can turn obstacles into opportunities. Whether you're shooting for fun, competition, or just wanting to enjoy the outdoors with family, you'll learn how to make every shot count—and how to foster growth in others.Perfect for beginners eager to learn, seasoned shooters hungry for improvement, and course owners aiming to create memorable experiences—this episode equips you with the tools, mindset, and inspiration to elevate your entire shooting journey. Don't just shoot—shoot smarter, safer, and more confidently.
 
Cody Jesse is a professional shooter, course designer, and passionate instructor known for turning novices into confident marksmen. With extensive experience redesigning top courses and mentoring shooters of all levels, Cody’s insights can reshape your approach—whether on the range or in coaching.Hit play now and discover the keys to unlocking your best shot yet!
 
Cody Matson: (770) 293-8820
Matson Shooting Academy: https://www.matsonshootingacademy.com/
MSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matsonshootingacademy/ 
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