Episode Details

Brian and Jake sit down with JJ Racaza for a wide ranging conversation that opens with a letter from a listener named Chris, a retired police officer, PTSD survivor, and single dad of four daughters who found his way back into the shooting sports after losing his wife to suicide. The letter sparked a meaningful discussion about how competitive shooting serves as more than just a sport, with Jake sharing that he lost his own spouse to suicide in 2019 and found support in this community, and JJ reflecting on how the shooting sports become a place to channel energy and build connection. JJ walked through the evolution of law enforcement training over his 24 year career, from a time when competition skills were dismissed to today where hit factors, stress shooting, and alternate positions are being adopted across agencies. He discussed his work with Beretta as their pistol shooter, the development of the new 94X platform with direct input from competitive shooters, and the recent release of Beretta’s new 22 pistol. Jake added context on Beretta’s manufacturing scale and the slow deliberate pace of such a large 500 year old company, along with recent industry news including Smith and Wesson acquiring Savage and Beretta’s stake in Ruger. JJ shared his fitness regimen (nine workouts a week, peptides for recovery) and his mental approach to being one of the older competitors as the field gets younger and faster. He broke down the training shift he made this year: stepping away from working on everything at once and dedicating entire sessions to a single fundamental, like 800 rounds on one specific skill, to rebuild the sharpness he had lost during busy teaching seasons. The conversation covered how classes help shooters self diagnose patterns they cannot see themselves, with JJ sharing a recent example of helping a GM level student find seconds he was losing on exits. JJ closed by expressing excitement for the 2027 Cardinal Cup with its $27,000 cash payout, the return of Dragon’s Cup, and the idea of finally getting all the top shooters into one division to battle head to head.


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Discover the world of competitive shooting sports through the eyes of industry leaders, top athletes, and match directors in the Behind the Lens Podcast, hosted by Brian Conley of Hunters HD Gold. Delve into captivating conversations that reveal the passion, dedication, and skill that define the shooting sports community. Brian, a steadfast supporter of the shooting sports, brings unique insights and expertise to each episode. Uncover the latest trends, techniques, and stories from the people who shape the shooting sports landscape. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of competitive shooting, the shooting industry, and the remarkable individuals who make