About this episode

Olympic biathlete Paul Schommer shares insights on the mental and physical aspects of hunting and shooting.

What can a two-time Olympic biathlete teach you about becoming a better backcountry hunter? A lot more than you think. In this episode, we sit down with elite Team USA biathlete and lifelong hunter Paul Schommer to explore the fascinating intersection of high-level endurance sports and the mental grit required in the field. Paul breaks down how competing on the world stage—balancing maximum physical output on cross-country skis with the absolute stillness required for precision shooting—perfectly translates to the physiological and psychological stress hunters face when an animal walks into range. We dive deep into: The Physiology of Stress: How Paul manages a racing heart rate through a strict breathing cadence and an automated shot sequence. The Pillars of a Perfect Shot: Why shifting almost all of your active focus to your trigger squeeze and follow-through changes everything. The Power of Visualization: Replicating high-stress scenarios in your mind so you are emotionally prepared when the big moment finally arrives. Trusting Your "Normal": Why striving to do something "special" in the field often leads to mistakes, and how to embrace the Norwegian sports philosophy that your…

People in this episode

Host: Exo Mtn Gear

Guest: Paul Schommer

Topics covered

• biathlon
• hunting
• mental grit
• stress management
• precision shooting
• visualization techniques
• archery

Keywords

• biathlete
• hunting techniques
• stress physiology
• shooting focus
• visualization
• archery
• Team USA

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Team USA

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• The Backcountry Blueprint (Part 6) — Essential Skills of a Mountain Hunter · June 7, 2026 · 1h 26m

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