Most shooters underestimate just how much mental toughness and strategic practice accelerate success. Dylan Thompson, a rising star in sporting clays, reveals how he skyrocketed to top levels before turning 21—thanks to relentless focus, expert coaching, and understanding the true nature of confidence.

In this episode, gun in hand and mindset locked, Dylan shares the secrets behind his rapid rise, from winning major junior titles to competing among world champions. You'll discover the crucial role of tiny technical tweaks emphasized by his coach Kevin DeMichael, why spending hundreds of thousands of rounds is just part of the journey, and how confidence—both mental and physical—can make or break your performance.

Warning BAD LANGUAGE! Recorded in June 2025

The best part of shooting has never been the gear or the photos, it’s the shared code: be safe, be respectful, and compete like it matters. We sit down with Gary Fitzjarrell and Derrick Mein for a raw, wide-ranging talk that starts with real life health updates and quickly turns into what’s happening to sporting clays, trap shooting, and the broader clay target community as the sport changes.

We get specific about range etiquette and shotgun safety: why idling carts, trashing property, and walking around with closed guns isn’t just annoying, it’s how accidents happen. Along the way we share a “science project” that actually matters, chronograph testing frozen shotgun shells to see what cold weather does to velocity and ammo performance.

From there, Derek talks training, travel, and staying ready for the next Olympic cycle and LA 2028, plus what changes when you switch guns and rebuild confidence. We debate course setting, why some targets turn into coin flips, and why the most fun shoots often keep it simple.

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We're excited to bring Shotgun Sports USA back. Our goal is simple: tell the stories that matter, talk about what people care about, bring you the facts and connect with the people who make the sport great. Whether it's competition, hunting, industry news, or untold stories, we're here to bring you conversations worth listening to.

A highly accomplished and adaptable shooter, he has earned numerous major titles across both junior and senior divisions, proudly representing England and Great Britain on many international stages. What began as casual outings to local gun clubs with his father and friends around the age of 10 quickly developed into a deep passion. By 19, he had claimed the coveted Masters title, and by 21, he had captured every junior championship in both World Sporting and FITASC. His success carried over into the senior ranks, where he continued to add to his medal count, including victories at the Beretta World Sporting in 2019 and the Clay Shooting Classic in 2022. His impressive résumé also features silver finishes at the English Open Sporting, English Open Compak, UK Open Compak, and the British Grand Prix FITASC.

Mike Luongo has been part of the sporting clays world for a long time. He has coached some of the best young shooters in the sport and loves helping others get better. He spends as much time shooting as he can, and wants to see the sport grow.

Mike’s journey started like anyone else—learning, practicing, and working hard to improve. Over the years, he’s gained a lot of experience and turned his passion into coaching and mentoring others. If you want to hear his story, learn how he got to where he is today, or improve your shooting, he’s always happy to help.

Listen as we talk about the incredible rise of junior sporting clays sensation Connor Daniel. From the great state or Georgia, Connor has accomplished more in four short years than most shooters dream of in a lifetime. With the guidance of coach Zach Kienbaum and the support of some of the best names in the shooting industry, Connor's dedication and talent have earned him a spot on the prestigious pro squad for 2025 after a phenomenal 2024 season.

As a high school senior, Connor is navigating the exciting journey of finding a college that aligns with his academic and shooting goals, all while looking to dominate every tournament he attends in 2025. In this episode, we’ll discuss his rapid ascent in the sport, the role of top-tier coaching and mentorship, his standout performances, and what’s next for him.

Get ready for an inspiring story of hard work, talent, and unrelenting passion for sporting clays.

Gary Fitzjarrell and Brett Seibert share their experiences hosting a major tournaments like the US Open at Northbrook Sports Club. From carefully designing challenging yet fair targets to ensuring top-tier hospitality. They discuss the planning required to meet the expectations of competitors as well as handling the inevitable challenges, such as addressing complaints and finding ways to improve.

Please keep in mind that Gary is on this episode and there is no telling what you may hear.

Turner Parcell has cemented his place at the top of the sporting clays world in 2024, going head-to-head with some of the best in the country. A Krieghoff shooter from South Carolina, Turner has proven to be a serious competitor, consistently delivering standout performances. In this episode, we talk about his incredible season, where he secured major wins including a recent Runner Up finish at the South Central Regional in Texas, M1 at the Caribbean Classic, Jack Links, and Seminole Cup, along with a 3rd place finish at the World Sporting Championship, and several other top finishes. We also talk about Turner’s journey, his training regimen, and what it takes to be a top contender in the sport.