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Making Shooters Better

Making Shooters Better

Written by: Terry Vaughan
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About this listen

Making Shooters Better is where real shooter stories turn into smarter training and preparation for everyone. Each episode dives into the journeys, wins, and lessons of competitors, instructors, and innovators from across the firearms world.

Hosted by Terry Vaughan—former British Royal Marine Commando, Top Shot competitor, and firearms instructor—this show delivers more than talk. You’ll get the mindset, methods, and motivation to train sharper and perform better, on and off the range!

© 2026 Making Shooters Better
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Episodes
  • He Didn’t Hesitate: Inside a Life-Saving Moment at the ALERRT Conference
    Jan 29 2026

    In this episode, Terry Vaughan sits down with D. Austin-Johnson, a patrol officer he personally witnessed taking decisive action to help save a life during a medical emergency at this year's ALERRT Conference.

    The conversation explores the unexpected collapse of an individual, the immediate response from Devyn and other first responders, and the importance of teamwork and calmness in crisis situations. They discuss the role of technology, such as AEDs, in emergencies and reflect on the significance of training and preparedness for law enforcement officers. Austin-Johnson shares his journey into law enforcement and the SWAT team, emphasizing the desire to help others and the importance of taking action in emergencies.


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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Accuracy Under Fire: What Policing, Trauma, and Real Stress Reveal About Survival
    Jan 15 2026

    In this episode of Making Shooters Better, Terry Vaughan sits down with Tim Pearce, a former law enforcement officer whose career in South Central Los Angeles placed him face-to-face with violence, stress, and the limits of traditional training.

    Tim shares how years in gang units shaped his understanding of human behavior under pressure, and how a heartbreaking personal tragedy forced him to confront a hard truth: most training doesn’t prepare officers for the physiological and psychological reality of a gunfight.

    The conversation explores what happens to decision-making, motor skills, and mindset when stress takes over, why officers often develop coping mechanisms through experience rather than instruction, and how public perception and policy pressures compound the weight of the uniform.

    Tim also explains how loss became the catalyst for innovation, leading him to develop a training system designed to replicate real-world stress and prepare officers for the worst day of their lives. The discussion goes beyond gear and tactics, focusing on resilience, mindset, and the human cost of policing in environments where mistakes are unforgiving.

    This episode offers an unfiltered look at trauma, survival, and why realistic training under stress may be one of the most important tools we can give those who serve.

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    1 hr and 46 mins
  • From Flat Range to Real Life: Training Shooters for Chaos
    Jan 8 2026

    In this conversation, Terry Vaughan and Mike Willis delve into the critical aspects of instinctive response training for shooters, particularly in high-pressure situations. They discuss the importance of understanding stress responses, the necessity of situational awareness, and the value of realistic training environments. Mike shares his insights on effective training strategies, the role of technology in enhancing training, and the significance of maintaining a flexible mindset. The discussion emphasizes the need for shooters to build confidence through practice and to adapt their skills to dynamic environments, ultimately preparing them for real-world scenarios.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
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