The Clay Lab Network Podcast

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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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Unlock the secrets behind becoming a top-tier shooting instructor as Philip Puckorius—NSCA's new chief instructor—shares insights from his 30+ years of experience. Discover how continuous learning, effective teaching frameworks, and mastering the art of diagnostics can elevate your coaching game and help shooters reach their highest potential.
 
This episode dives deep into the evolution of instructor education, emphasizing the importance of practical experience—like logging hours and taking lessons—to truly master the craft. Phil reveals innovative strategies for delivering effective, engaging training through seminars, digital modules, and community-driven solutions that are affordable and sustainable. You'll learn how to diagnose the root causes of misses, communicate effectively, and instill confidence in your students, transforming not only their skills but your reputation as a coach.
 
We break down the core components of the NSCA instructor pathway—what it takes to move from novice to elite—and explore the criteria, qualifications, and mindset keys needed to achieve level three certification. Phil also shares how the program is continuously evolving to meet modern coaching demands, aiming for a culture of excellence, safety, and shared knowledge that benefits shooters at all levels.
 
Perfect for aspiring instructors, experienced coaches, and serious competitors alike—if you're committed to making a real impact in the sport, this episode will equip you with the mindset, tools, and frameworks to thrive. Whether you're looking to elevate your coaching credentials or simply want insights on how top performers learn and improve, this conversation is a must-listen.
Philip Puckorius is the chief instructor at NSCA, a 30-year veteran of shotgun coaching, and a dedicated educator passionate about advancing shooting instruction through proven methods and ongoing professional development. His work bridges the gap between theory and practice, helping coaches and athletes unlock their true potential.
 
Don't miss the lessons that can reshape your coaching approach and propel your shooters to new heights. Hit play now and start your journey toward mastery.
 
Cody Matson: (770) 293-8820
Matson Shooting Academy: https://www.matsonshootingacademy.com/
MSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matsonshootingacademy/
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Jared Wolfe joins Dawn Grant on Clay Mastermind: Mental Excellence and Industry Insights for a thoughtful conversation on Sporting Clays, creativity, competition mindset, flow state performance, craftsmanship, and the mental side of peak performance. Jared is a competitive Sporting Clays shooter, instructor, craftsman, and lifelong outdoorsman based in Denver, Colorado. 
In this episode, Jared shares how his love for shooting began at an early age through family hunting trips, cap guns, hand-thrown clay targets, and recreational shooting with his father, brother, and grandfather. Although he briefly experimented with trap shooting as a child, he quickly became drawn toward more creative and dynamic target presentations. Jared explains how the variety and artistic nature of Sporting Clays immediately captured his attention once he discovered the sport competitively years later.
Dawn and Jared discuss the similarities between Sporting Clays, art, masonry, and other forms of human performance. Jared shares his background studying fine art and sculpture before eventually returning to work in his family masonry business. Throughout the conversation, they explore how creativity, craftsmanship, and instinctive execution apply both to building structures and breaking targets.
A major focus of the episode centers around flow state and the zone. Jared explains how he experiences the zone regularly not only while shooting, but also during masonry work and other focused activities that require complete presence and concentration. Dawn and Jared discuss how the zone is not exclusive to sports but is instead a human performance state that can appear in art, construction, theater, music, business, and everyday life.
The conversation also explores the balance between analytical thinking and instinctive performance. Jared explains how some shooters rely heavily on measurements, calculations, and conscious analysis, while others operate more from feel, rhythm, trust, and subconscious awareness. He describes how his artistic and creative background helped him develop a more intuitive relationship with movement, timing, and target connection.
Dawn and Jared also discuss the importance of practicing mental discipline outside of competition. Jared emphasizes that being present while driving, working, spending time with family, or handling stressful situations becomes part of training the mind for performance under pressure. He explains that shooters who only practice focus during tournaments often struggle because they have not developed those habits consistently throughout daily life.
The episode also covers gratitude, emotional control, and personal responsibility during competition. Jared shares why negativity, complaining, and fixation on external circumstances can quickly pull shooters out of the zone. Dawn and Jared discuss how gratitude, positivity, and appreciation for the sport, target setters, volunteers, and venues help competitors remain grounded and mentally present.
Jared also shares his experiences with competition shooting, instruction, target setting, and his time working with respected target setters including Joe Scull. The conversation highlights the creativity behind Sporting Clays target presentation and the challenge of balancing fun, fairness, difficulty, and artistic design.
This episode offers valuable insight for Sporting Clays shooters, instructors, competitors, artists, craftsmen, and anyone interested in flow state, instinctive performance, mindset, creativity, and the mental side of success.
 
Jared Wolfe Links
Website:
 https://jaredwolfe.com/
Instagram:
 https://www.instagram.com/jaredwolfeshooting/
Facebook:
 https://www.facebook.com/jaredwolfeshooting/
Phone & Email:
 Available through the website contact page:
 https://jaredwolfe.com/contact/
Location:
 Denver, Colorado
 
Dawn Grant Links  
https://dawngrant.com/ 
https://mindmastered.com/  
https://ameliashotgunsports.com/ 
 
Free webinar here: https://f.mtr.cool/wehmqlchqh
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Russ McElyea joins Dawn Grant on Clay Mastermind: Mental Excellence and Industry Insights for a deep conversation on Sporting Clays, mental discipline, flow state performance, instruction, competition mindset, and the evolution of one of Montana’s premier shooting facilities. Russ is a longtime competitive shooter, instructor, outdoorsman, former judge, and board member at Gallatin Sporting Clays near Bozeman, Montana. 
In this episode, Russ shares how his shooting journey originally began through bird hunting and a desire to become a better shot for his English Setter and hunting companions. After starting in skeet more than 35 years ago, Russ and a small group of dedicated shooters pooled their resources together to create what eventually became Gallatin Sporting Clays. What started with two traps on a small piece of land eventually evolved into a major facility featuring multiple Sporting Clays courses, FITASC layouts, five stands, and more than 150 traps, all operated through volunteer passion and community support.
Dawn and Russ discuss the unique culture surrounding the Montana shooting community, the importance of preserving quality facilities, and the dedication required to build and maintain a successful club. Russ explains how every dollar generated by the club is reinvested directly into improving the facility, creating a strong sense of ownership and pride among members and volunteers.
A major focus of the episode centers around the mental game and how Russ developed an awareness of flow state performance through years of participating in outdoor sports including mountain biking, dirt biking, skiing, hunting, rifle competition, handgun competition, and Sporting Clays. Russ explains how many high-speed sports demand a complete absence of conscious thought and how that same subconscious flow state becomes critical in shotgun sports as well.
Dawn and Russ explore the concept of the zone, the importance of letting go, trust, confidence, emotional control, and the challenge of quieting the conscious mind under pressure. Russ discusses how over-analysis, excessive control, and attachment to outcomes can interfere with performance, while belief, trust, positivity, and emotional discipline help shooters access peak performance states more consistently.
The conversation also explores the similarities between life and Sporting Clays. Russ shares how adversity, frustration, setbacks, and struggle often become the greatest teachers in both competition and personal growth. Dawn and Russ discuss why confidence with humility creates a stronger competitor than arrogance, why many elite shooters possess exceptional self-discipline, and how true growth often comes through learning to release self-imposed limitations.
Russ also shares stories from his professional background as an attorney, ski resort executive, and judge, explaining how those experiences shaped his perspective on discipline, objectivity, self-awareness, leadership, and personal accountability. He explains how those same traits later carried over into coaching, instruction, and competition shooting.
This episode offers valuable insight for Sporting Clays shooters, instructors, competitors, club owners, and anyone interested in mental performance, flow state, emotional discipline, and the connection between mindset, sport, and life itself.
 
Russ McElyea Links
Gallatin Sporting Clays Website:
 https://gallatinsportingclays.com/
Facebook:
 https://www.facebook.com/GallatinSportingClays/
Instagram:
 I could not find an official public Instagram account for Gallatin Sporting Clays or Russ McElyea.
Phone:
 406-209-2144
Location:
 Gallatin Sporting Clays
 Bozeman, Montana
Contact Page:
 https://gallatinsportingclays.com/contact-us/
 
Dawn Grant Links  
https://dawngrant.com/ 
https://mindmastered.com/  
https://ameliashotgunsports.com/ 
 
Free webinar here: https://f.mtr.cool/wehmqlchqh
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Fred Ferraro joins Dawn Grant on Clay Mastermind: Mental Excellence and Industry Insights for an in-depth conversation on Sporting Clays, coaching, competition mindset, pressure management, and developing champion shooters. Fred is a resident instructor at the Dallas Gun Club, an NSCA-certified instructor, competitive clay shooter, CrossFit coach, and lifelong student of performance and human behavior. 
In this episode, Fred shares his journey from growing up in Texas after moving from New York City as a child to eventually building a successful career in information technology and networking before transitioning into full-time coaching. Fred explains how his highly analytical personality shaped his early approach to shooting sports, including measuring lead distances, building spreadsheets, and trying to calculate every variable before eventually discovering the importance of target focus, instinctive shooting, and visual connection.
Dawn and Fred discuss the major turning points that transformed his shooting career, including working with respected instructors such as Brad Kidd Jr., Scott Robertson, Steve Liberto, Dan Carlisle, and longtime mentor Ronnie Williams. Fred explains how learning to truly “look at the bird” changed everything for both him and his son and became one of the foundational principles of his coaching philosophy.
A major focus of the episode centers around the mental game and how competitors handle pressure. Fred openly discusses his own struggles with emotional reactions during competition and how he worked to become more emotionally stable and mentally consistent under pressure. He shares observations from coaching youth athletes, explaining how some shooters need to become more energized while others perform best when calm, controlled, and emotionally neutral.
The conversation also explores Fred’s highly intentional coaching methods. Dawn and Fred discuss how pressure cannot fully be recreated in practice, but how coaches can deliberately expose students to distractions, interruptions, emotional triggers, and competitive situations to help them build stronger mental habits. Fred shares examples of intentionally distracting students, creating pressure scenarios, and teaching athletes how to reset mentally and return to their process after interruptions.
Dawn and Fred also discuss confidence, self-image, and helping athletes believe they are capable of becoming champion-level competitors. Fred explains how strong shooters often plateau until they develop the belief that they truly belong at a higher level of competition. He shares how building confidence, emotional resilience, and trust in a process becomes just as important as mechanics and repetition.
The episode also covers pre-shot routines, visualization, emotional control, preparation habits, hydration, tournament routines, and learning to control the variables that can be controlled before competition begins. Fred explains how he eliminates unnecessary stress by organizing equipment, food, timing, and routines so that all his focus can remain on execution.
Throughout the conversation, Dawn and Fred bridge the gap between mechanics, mindset, repetition, subconscious programming, and peak performance under pressure. This episode offers valuable insight for Sporting Clays shooters, instructors, youth athletes, coaches, and competitors who want to improve both their technical skills and mental game.
 
Fred Ferraro Links
Email:
 ffshotguninstruction@gmail.com
Dallas Gun Club Instructor Page:
 Dallas Gun Club
 
Dawn Grant Links  
https://dawngrant.com/ 
https://mindmastered.com/  
https://ameliashotgunsports.com/ 
 
Free webinar here: https://f.mtr.cool/wehmqlchqh
Support the show

10% OFF ShotKam Coupon Code “TheClayLab”: https://bit.ly/TheClayLab-ShotKam
Visit Us at www.claylabusa.com for videos, podcasts, and articles about Sporting Clays.

Join as a Channel Member for early access to Videos & Podcasts and to support The Clay Lab

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