Iron Sights

In this After Dark episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I sit down with Hunter Freeland at SHOT Show 2026. About a year in the making, this conversation covers Hunter’s journey through the military, law enforcement, contracting, and his transition into launching Hunter Freeland Shooting.We talk philosophy, methodology, mindset, and what really matters beyond just shooting performance. Hunter is known for being stoic, disciplined, and serious about the craft—but his vision goes deeper than marksmanship. He’s focused on building responsible individuals, strong advocates for the Second Amendment, and better humans overall.This one’s honest, thoughtful, and packed with perspective for shooters, instructors, and anyone trying to do things the right way.Sit back and enjoy this After Dark episode with Hunter Freeland on the Iron Sights Podcast.Check out Hunter's website here: hfshooting.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro09:58 Teaching & Training14:24 Business & Image17:42 Community & Culture38:18 Pro vs Hobby45:33 Sport Evolution48:47 Responsibility54:10 Industry Challenges01:22:17 LE & Competition01:38:04 Skill & Growth02:05:31 ClosingRed Dot Fitness Train Online: http://rdftrainonline.com/Online Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1Connect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

In this episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I’m back in the studio with Ryan and Cece breaking down flexibility and mobility without the hype. We talk physiology, anatomy, programming, and where mobility work actually fits into a real training week.We also hit on some of the trends floating around right now—fascial training, mobility “systems,” and why a lot of this stuff misses the point. If you’re trying to move better, train smarter, and stop wasting time on things that don’t matter, this one’s for you.Sit back and enjoy.-Red Dot Fitness Train Online: http://rdftrainonline.com/FFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforactionRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:ironsightspodcasts.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:39 Flexibility Struggles05:34 Flexibility vs Mobility07:32 Nervous System Role09:22 Rehab & Post-Surgery11:02 Improving Mobility18:33 Mobility Tools23:08 Strength vs Mobility29:58 Range of Motion33:52 Hyperflexibility Issues40:31 Fascia & Mobility49:04 Making Mobility Stick54:32 Training SessionsConnect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

This is a special SHOT Show 2026 edition of the Iron Sights Podcast, recorded on the floor in collaboration with Good Dude Concepts.I’m joined by Chris Kuras (Good Dude Concepts), Bruno Fallon (Born Primitive), Jon Dufresne (Connecticut’s Consulting / See The Night), Blake Cook, and Jack Lewis (Black Tiger International). We talk about what brought us to SHOT, what stood out, and then let the conversation go where it needed to go — firearms training, health and fitness, leadership, culture, and the realities behind the industry.No scripts. No marketing pitches. Just honest conversations, new connections, and perspectives from people doing real work.If you’ve somehow missed Good Dude Concepts, they make the BRB breacher bar for real-world entry work—grab yours at good-dude.com and save on shipping with code IRON SIGHTS.Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:06 SHOT Show  05:44 Night Ops Summit  12:50 Community Ties  26:25 Sobriety Journey  30:43 Good Dude Concepts  40:58 Mentorship  45:19 LE Training  55:28 Standards  01:12:16 Close Call  01:17:55 High Standards  01:31:07 Leadership  01:39:48 Positive Energy  01:41:48 Culture Shift  01:51:44 Final Thoughts  02:08:56 Closing  Red Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1Connect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

In this roundtable episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, Ryan, Cece, and I kick off the year by taking a hard look at health and fitness in 2026. We revisit what we were talking about this time last year, what’s changed, and what’s somehow gotten louder — without necessarily getting better.We break down the new food pyramid push, GLP-1s and what we’re seeing with real clients, the body positivity conversation, and how AI is reshaping coaching, wearables, and the consumer fitness market. No doom, no hype — just perspective from the studio and the trenches.Sit back and enjoy this one.-Red Dot Fitness Train Online: http://rdftrainonline.com/FFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforactionRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:ironsightspodcasts.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro04:01 2025 Health Trends06:12 GLP-1 Overview10:28 GLP-1 Experiences22:02 Food Pyramid Changes36:30 Social Media Experts37:58 AI In Fitness42:59 Risks Of AI55:16 Gamified FitnessConnect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

In this episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I’m joined by my favorite nutrition coach, Steven Brenna, to break down the five most annoying—and avoidable—things that drive both nutrition coaches and clients crazy.If you’re currently in a nutrition coaching program, thinking about hiring a coach, or you are a coach yourself, this conversation will save you time and frustration. These are the mistakes we see over and over again because, as the saying goes, we know a few things because we’ve seen a few things.This episode is about setting better expectations, improving communication, and getting more out of the nutrition process—without the nonsense.-Red Dot Fitness Train Online: http://rdftrainonline.com/FFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforactionRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:ironsightspodcasts.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:21 Coaching Frustrations03:09 Setting Expectations10:14 Why Tracking Matters29:01 Blame Game (Age & Hormones)35:20 Comparison Trap37:20 Diet Trends & Consistency45:30 Training Vs. Nutrition53:33 Trust & Honesty01:06:55 Carb Myths01:09:17 Changing BeliefsConnect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

In this After Dark episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I sit down with Raphael, a 17-year law enforcement veteran and range staff member at a major Bay Area agency. A Grand Master–level shooter, Raphael has been instrumental in helping move training at his agency in a better direction.We talk about his journey, what it takes to challenge outdated training systems from the inside, and the practical steps that have actually worked for him and his partners. If you’re law enforcement, a shooter, or an instructor trying to improve training without blowing things up, this episode has real takeaways.Follow Raphael on Instagram at @redhats_slowgats and enjoy this After Dark conversation on the Iron Sights Podcast.Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:00 Raphael’s Background05:17 LE & Competition09:15 Training Challenges17:18 Red Dot Adoption29:12 Training Standards33:44 Fundamentals38:08 Skill Builders41:40 Leadership48:39 LE Competition55:23 Training Balance01:07:56 Compete To Improve01:11:12 Explore Vs Perform01:16:39 Training Culture01:21:25 Social Media01:35:28 Wrap-UpRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1Connect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

In this episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I’m back in the studio with Cece and Ryan breaking down nine practical tips to make your cardio training more effective—without turning it into a science lecture or chasing fitness rabbit holes.Most people approach cardio with the wrong focus. Today we help you reframe how you think about your cardio sessions, what actually matters, and how to stop wasting time while still improving endurance, efficiency, and recovery.We also touch on heart rate–based training and point you toward our free Heart Rate Zone Training Guide, which shows you how to structure cardio using personalized zones—whether you’re using a treadmill chart, a heart rate monitor, or a smartwatch.Grab it free at reddotfitness.net/rdfguides and start training with more intention.-25% OFF! Red Dot Fitness Programs: rdfprograms.comFFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforactionRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:ironsightspodcasts.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:27 Cardio Myths05:03 Smarter Cardio14:25 Walking Benefits28:26 HIIT Explained37:57 Skill vs Intensity42:47 Cardio vs Strength46:12 Fat-Burn Myth48:58 Making Cardio Stick58:52 Play & Longevity01:03:14 Cardio TakeawaysConnect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

In this episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I sit down with Red Dot Fitness nutrition coach Steven Brenna to talk about essential amino acids (EAAs) and what role they actually play in muscle, performance, and long-term health.We break down what the research says, what it doesn’t, and how EAAs compare to BCAAs—without getting lost in the weeds. If you’re training hard, trying to maintain muscle, or just want to make smarter decisions about supplementation, this episode will give you some real clarity.No hype. Just context and practical takeaways you can use.-25% OFF! Red Dot Fitness Programs: rdfprograms.comFFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforactionRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:ironsightspodcasts.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro03:40 Creatine04:50 EAAs vs BCAAs12:28 Amino Basics20:54 Muscle & Aging33:29 Protein Intake36:22 Bulk vs Cut45:08 EAA Timing50:39 Choosing EAAs58:13 HMB01:00:02 Wrap-UpConnect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

Today on the Iron Sights Podcast After Dark, I’m sitting down with Billy Barton — a Grand Master USPSA shooter, high-level competitor, and the owner of SpecTrain | Firearms Training. Billy has been on my short list for a long time, and after a few missed connections, we finally made it happen here in California.What makes Billy interesting is not a military or law enforcement background — it’s his process. He’s a shooter who went all-in, became highly competitive in a short period of time, and then naturally transitioned into coaching and instruction. In this conversation, we dig into how he trains, how he thinks about skill development, how he prepares for competition, and how he approaches teaching shooters at every level.This episode is especially valuable if you’re deep into your shooting journey — whether you’re competing, instructing, or trying to figure out how to train smarter instead of just doing more reps. Billy breaks down the systems, habits, and decision-making that actually move the needle. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is a formula, and Billy does a great job laying it out.If shooting performance matters to you, grab a notebook. Billy doesn’t waste words, and there’s a lot here worth unpacking. Sit back and enjoy this After Dark episode with Billy Barton of Spectrain on the Iron Sights Podcast.Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:54 Billy's Background06:22 Competition22:28 Spec Train39:23 Fundamentals41:31 Structure42:19 Dry Fire44:24 Hard Lessons49:15 2026 Plans59:57 Consistency01:09:40 Skills01:18:08 Modes01:21:58 Evolution01:38:26 Coaching02:02:43 LE & Competition02:13:12 ClosingRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1Connect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

Training doesn’t always feel good. It doesn’t always feel motivating. And it definitely doesn’t always feel “fun.”In this episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I’m back in the studio with Ryan and CeCe to talk about what happens when your workouts stop giving you that sense of enjoyment or fulfillment. If you’ve been training long enough, you’ve probably hit this phase at least once. We talk honestly about where training fits into our lives, why workouts don’t have to be fun all the time, and why chasing motivation is usually the wrong move. This isn’t about quitting or forcing yourself through it either. We walk through five practical ideas to help you reframe your approach, stay consistent, and keep moving forward even when you’re not feeling it.If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m just not into this right now,” this episode is for you. Sit back, listen in, and hopefully take away a few tools to help you keep training in a way that actually works for the long haul.-25% OFF! Red Dot Fitness Programs: rdfprograms.comFFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforactionRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:ironsightspodcasts.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:52 Loving (and Hating) Training08:19 Finding Your Why14:13 Community Matters16:45 Training Environment18:18 Coaching Matters20:17 Coach’s Role23:06 Learning New Skills29:09 Changing ProgramsConnect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/