The Everyday Marksman

We're about to hit the 100th episode of The Everyday Marksman Podcast. It took a while, and before moving on to that milestone I wanted to look back and discuss some of the "rules for life" that I've settled on to help simplify my life and stay focused.

"If you chase two rabbits, you won't catch either." Most shooters and athletes fail because they try to improve everything at once. Today I discuss building "Benchmark Battery." It's a simple, rotating system for building strong performance over the long haul.

Today’s episode is a practical, no-hype guide to choosing a handgun that actually fits your life. Justin and I walk through the REAP framework (Reliability, Ergonomics, Accuracy, Portability), why “cool” guns can become support nightmares, and what realistic accuracy standards look like for regular people. We also dig into the 1911 question (what it’s great at, and why it’s usually a rough first handgun), the caliber/stopping-power debate, and why pistol red dots are quickly becoming the new def

From cars that drive themselves to infinite workout plans, we are drowning in "help." But instead of making us better, these options are often acting as a crutch. I call this Abundance Atrophy. It turns out, pursuing the "best" gear often hides a lack of fundamental skill. Whether it's marksmanship, fitness, or music, the path to mastery isn't found in adding more complexity—it's found in executing the boring basics with savage precision.

"Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance." It’s been a quiet summer, but recent events have forced a reflection on the purpose of The Everyday Marksman. In this episode, I revisit some history lessons as a bit of inspiration from grumpy old men who refused to stand down. We discuss why nobody is truly free of the obligation to be ready, and how to train to be a "Dangerous Old Man" willing and able to stand up for your community.

Back in April, I launched "Project Hoplite," a 25-week program to prepare for a Spartan Race Super 10k. My "why" for this journey boils down to doing hard things for my family, my career, and my own capabilities. Now, six weeks in, I'm sharing the first update: how the gains are going, and the lessons learned from pushing the limits. See how the needle is moving!