Welcome to Episode 5 of the Merlin Archery Adventure Podcast.

This week Grizzly Jim sits down with Mybo pro archer Adam Ravenscroft for a relaxed and honest conversation about the good old days of archery, what the sport was really like back in the 90s, and Adam’s experiences competing at the highest level of compound archery.

From tournament shooting, archery equipment, and the evolution of compound bows and release aids, to the competition mindset, and what it’s like getting older in the sport, the conversation naturally meanders through all corners of the archery world.

Packed with stories, laughs, and real insight from two lifelong archers, this is a proper laid-back archery chat, so stick the kettle on and enjoy a couple of middle-aged dudes talking all things archery.

You can find Adam here on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ravo_archery

Grizzly Jim:

https://www.instagram.com/thatgrizzlyjim

And Merlin:

https://www.instagram.com/merlin_archery

Welcome to Episode 5 of the Merlin Archery Adventure Podcast.

This week Jim sits down with barebow archer Phil Lawrence to dive deep into barebow archery, bow setup and tuning, arrow selection, and the archery equipment that really makes a difference.

They also explore the mental game of archery, coaching, competition mindset, and what it’s like getting older in the sport while still staying consistent and competitive.

From compound and recurve to barebow, Phil shares his journey through archery, alongside insights into technique, training, and the rapidly growing barebow scene in the UK.

As always, the conversation meanders through all corners of the archery world, packed with practical advice, gear talk, and real-world experience, so stick the kettle on and enjoy the Conversation.

You can find Phil here on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/phillawrencearchery

Grizzly Jim:

https://www.instagram.com/thatgrizzlyjim

And Merlin:

https://www.instagram.com/merlin_archery

In Episode 4 of the Merlin Archery Adventures Podcast, Grizzly Jim sits down with one of the hardest-working guys in the sport, compound archer Chris Horan.

Chris has built his life around archery, travelling to events, working on some of the biggest stages in the world, and representing multiple archery brands through pro staff and factory team roles. In this episode, we get into what that actually looks like day-to-day, and what it really means to be a sponsored archer at a high level.

Chris and Jim chat about how to represent brands properly, what companies are looking for when they choose their sponsored archers, and how to stand out in the world of competitive archery, especially if you’re trying to break into pro staff or land sponsorships.

Chris also shares some great behind-the-scenes insight from major events, including his experience working at elite competitions and events around the world, even the Olympics, helping keep things running smoothly when it matters most.

It’s a relaxed, honest conversation with loads of insight into compound archery, archery sponsorship, and the industry side of the sport, with a few good stories thrown in along the way.

Sit back, grab a coffee, and enjoy the episode.

You can find Chris here on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/chrishoran1400

Grizzly Jim:

https://www.instagram.com/thatgrizzlyjim

And Merlin:

https://www.instagram.com/merlin_archery

Episode 3 is live! 🏹

In this episode, Grizzly Jim sits down with Ilaria Knibb, one of the most exciting names in barebow archery right now, fresh off her incredible performance and medal win at the European Indoor Archery Championships earlier this year.

Right from the start, the conversation dives into why barebow archery is growing so quickly, what’s drawing more archers into the discipline, and how the competitive European archery scene is evolving. Ilaria also talks about just starting her field archery journey and how excited she is to see where it might take her.

As always on the podcast, things wander a little in the best way. Alongside plenty of archery chat, Jim and Ilaria discover a shared love for Gilmore Girls, which somehow fits perfectly into a cosy conversation between competitions and training stories.

So pop the kettle on, get comfy, and settle in for a relaxed chat about barebow archery, competitive archery, field archery, and life around the sport with one of the rising talents in the archery world.

You can find Illaria here on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/knibb_goingthedistance

Grizzly Jim:

https://www.instagram.com/thatgrizzlyjim

And Merlin:

https://www.instagram.com/merlin_archery

Episode 2 – Trad Sniper, the English Longbow & Getting Properly Nerdy

In this episode second episode (despite Jim saying its the first!) of the Merlin Archery Adventures Podcast, Grizzly Jim sits down with Instagram sensation Trad Sniper (Lee) for a deep dive into the world of the English longbow, traditional archery, and historic bow style as well a Archery's portrayal in popular culture.

If you love traditional archery, longbows, historical archery equipment, and the culture surrounding the English longbow, this one’s for you. Lee shares his refreshing take on shooting the English longbow, why traditional archery still captures people’s imagination, and what makes this ancient style of shooting so special today.

Along the way, things get kinda geeky as the conversation drifts into archery in popular culture, from video games and fantasy films to the influence of titles like Dark Souls and The Lord of the Rings. Expect plenty of discussion about how archery is portrayed in movies, games, and modern media and how that shapes the way people discover the sport.

This is a long one, and we don’t apologise for it. So put the kettle on, grab a brew, settle in, and enjoy a proper deep dive into longbows, traditional archery, archery history, and the passion behind shooting the English longbow.

Join Grizzly Jim as he chats with the man many see as part of the future of English longbow shooting - Trad Sniper.

You can find Trad Sniper here on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/trad_sniper

Grizzly Jim:

https://www.instagram.com/thatgrizzlyjim

And Merlin:

https://www.instagram.com/merlin_archery

In the very first episode of the Merlin Archery Adventures Podcast, Grizzly Jim sits down with one of the most exciting talents in modern barebow archery, Ollie Hicks, fresh off his incredible Lancaster Archery Classic gold medal victory.

In this relaxed, wide-ranging conversation, Ollie joins Jim in the studio to talk about what it really takes to perform on the biggest stage in competitive archery. From his mental preparation for the Lancaster Classic, to deep insights into shooting barebow at a world-class level, Ollie shares the mindset, technique, and passion that helped him reach the top of the podium.

The chat wanders through Ollie’s love for 3D archery and field archery, what life is like balancing elite sport with being a student, and even the surprisingly important role of good food, including why malt loaf might just be the secret weapon every archer should have in their quiver.

There’s plenty of laughs, a few behind-the-scenes stories from Lancaster, and at one point Ollie even lets Grizzly Jim wear his Lancaster gold medal.

If you love archery podcasts, barebow shooting, target archery, 3D shooting, and hearing honest conversations with the people pushing the sport forward, this is the perfect place to start.

Grab a coffee, settle in, and join Grizzly Jim as he talks with Ollie Hicks, Barebow Super Star.

You can find Ollie here on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/olliehicksarchery

Grizzly Jim:

https://www.instagram.com/thatgrizzlyjim

And Merlin:

https://www.instagram.com/merlin_archery