For over a decade, Steve Gould has been a recognized leader in the shooting world. Alongside his brother Aaron, Steve built a national reputation performing live trick shooting exhibitions, working with brands like Winchester, Federal, and Bass Pro Shops, and showcasing their skills on some of the biggest stages in the industry.
Steve has also been a longtime supporter of FalconStrike, sharing a belief that comfort and control play a critical role in shooting performance, especially when it comes to managing recoil and maintaining focus over long sessions.
Channeling his exhibition experience into a new chapter, Steve launched Target Focused Life
– one of the top YouTube channels and online resources for shotgun and wingshooting content. He continues to perform live shows, now often alongside his son Rylan, bringing that same energy to audiences across the country
We sat down with Steve to pick his brain and learn from his experience, diving into the shooting mindset, performing under pressure, and how comfort and focus work together to elevate performance on the range.
What Does “Target Focused Life” Really Mean?
FalconStrike: For those who are just hearing about Target Focused Life for the first time, what is it all about?
Steve Gould: Target Focused Life is about living with intention, both in shooting and in everyday life. On the surface, it’s centered around shotguns, clay shooting, and hunting, but underneath that are principles that apply much more broadly. For me, it comes down to having a clear vision for where you want to go, maintaining the right focus, and committing to repeated action. In shooting, if your focus is in the wrong place, you miss. In life, it’s the same. Where your focus goes, your energy flows, and ultimately, that determines your results.
Why Mindset Is the Difference Maker
FalconStrike: A lot of shooters focus on mechanics, gear, and practice routines. Where do you see mindset becoming the difference maker?
Steve: Mindset is really the foundation for everything else. You can build physical skill through repetition and practice, but without the right mindset, you’ll eventually hit a ceiling. I’ve seen shooters improve technically and still struggle to perform under pressure, and most of the time, it comes down to how they think. When shooters become too focused on outcomes like score or rankings, they lose sight of the process. Staying locked into the process is what allows you to perform consistently and get the most out of your ability.
What Holds Shooters Back Mentally
FalconStrike: What usually holds someone back mentally when they know they have the skill to perform better?
Steve: At that stage, it’s almost always mental. When things start to go wrong, people tend to turn inward. They start thinking about how they look, what others might be thinking, or what happens if they miss the next shot. That internal pressure builds quickly. I experienced that early on during live performances. The turning point for me was shifting my focus outward instead of inward. When I focused on the people I was performing for rather than myself, everything changed. I became more relaxed, more present, and ultimately performed better. A slight shift in our mental focus can have a major impact.
Staying Calm Under Pressure
FalconStrike: When the pressure is on, what separates athletes who stay calm from those who unravel?
Steve: A lot of it comes down to preparation and experience. You can’t fully replicate pressure in practice, you have to go through it. I’ve seen this with younger shooters all the time. They shoot great in practice, then struggle in competition because the moment feels different. The only way to overcome that is to keep putting yourself in those situations and learning how to manage your thoughts and focus when it matters most. Over time, that experience builds confidence. Even though I have been in the shooting world for a good amount of time, anytime I step into a new discipline, I have to go through the same process of building confidence through repetition.
How to Strengthen Your Mental Game
FalconStrike: For shooters who want to strengthen their mental game, where should they start?
Steve: It starts with building a consistent routine. Something you can rely on every time you step up to shoot. That routine gives you structure and helps eliminate distractions. From there, it’s about focusing on the next target, not your last miss or your score. And just as important is your self-talk. Everyone has that internal voice, and if it turns negative, it can affect your performance quickly. Keeping your thoughts focused on what you can control and staying positive makes a big difference over time.
Resetting After a Miss
FalconStrike: How do you help someone reset after a frustrating miss?
Steve: In competition, the key is to move on quickly. You don’t have time to dwell on what just happened. That might mean taking a breath, making a small physical reset, or having a simple habit that helps you let it go. The important thing is shifting your focus back to the process and what needs to happen next. If you stay stuck on the miss, it usually carries into the next shot.
The Overlooked Link Between Comfort and Focus
FalconStrike: How much does physical comfort affect mental performance?
Steve: It plays a bigger role than most people realize. Discomfort has a compounding effect. You might start with a strong mindset, but if your gun doesn’t fit right or recoil starts to wear on you, it becomes a distraction. Over time, that discomfort can lead to frustration, missed targets, and negative thinking. It all builds on itself, and it’s hard to stay mentally focused when your body is fighting you.
FalconStrike: That’s something we see all the time. When you reduce recoil, you’re not just improving comfort, you’re helping shooters stay focused and consistent over longer sessions.
Steve: Exactly. If you can eliminate those physical distractions, whether it’s recoil or poor fit, it becomes much easier to stay locked into your process. When your body feels good, your mind has a much better chance of staying where it needs to be, and that leads to better performance.
Final Advice for Shooters
FalconStrike: If you could give one piece of advice to shooters who want to improve their overall experience, what would it be?
Steve: As you build your game, also work on building your relationships. At the end of the day, most people keep coming back because of the relationships. Shooting is something you can do for a lifetime, and the people you share it with are what make it meaningful. Those are the moments you remember most.
Conclusion
Steve Gould’s journey, from exhibition shooter to founder of Target Focused Life, reinforces a simple but powerful idea.
Performance is not just physical, it is mental.
When you combine a strong shooting mindset with the right level of comfort, control, and consistency, you give yourself the best chance to perform well and enjoy the sport for years to come.
Because whether on the range or in life, you will only hit what you are focused on.
FAQs
- What is Target Focused Life all about?
Target Focused Life is about living with a clear vision, maintaining the right focus, and taking consistent action, both in shooting and in everyday life. - Where does mindset become the difference maker in shooting?
Mindset becomes the difference maker when shooters focus on the process instead of outcomes, allowing them to perform more consistently under pressure. - What usually holds shooters back mentally?
Internal pressure, negative self-talk, and focusing too much on results or how others perceive them are the most common mental barriers. - How do you reset after a miss during shooting?
The best approach is to quickly reset using a simple routine, like taking a breath, and refocus on the next target instead of dwelling on the mistake. - How does recoil and discomfort affect shooting performance?
Discomfort creates distractions that lead to frustration and inconsistency. Reducing recoil helps shooters stay focused, maintain control, and perform better over longer sessions.