Taking Her Power Back: A Student’s Journey

Not every student who comes to me is just “nervous” about shooting. Some carry deep trauma tied to firearms. This story is about one woman who walked in with fear, but chose courage, and how step by step, she’s taking her power back.

Why She Reached Out

She first contacted me because she felt safer working with a woman. Her fiancé owns a firearm and respects her trauma, but she wanted to feel safe knowing there was a gun in the home. She also wanted to overcome the fear that guns could be used against her and learn how to clear one if she ever needed to.

The First Session

Her determination brought her into the range for our very first session. But when a shooter in another lane fired a shot, her body remembered the past. She hit the floor, overwhelmed by a panic attack. We stepped outside. Together we focused on breathing. I had her read the sign on the back of the range door out loud to ground her in the present. A range employee who is also an EMT came over to help her feel comfortable.

That moment hit me, too. Her reaction reminded me how overwhelming fear can be, and I understood it in a way that made me want to protect her space even more. We both agreed to step back, slow down, and build from the ground up.

Baby Steps, Big Progress

For weeks, we didn’t fire a single live round. Instead, we focused on:

• Handling the firearm without fear.
• Loading and unloading magazines.
• Breaking it down and reassembling it.
• Dry fire practice.
• Grip, stance, and the fundamentals of shooting.

In many ways, our work together mirrored exposure therapy, a gradual, supported process of facing fears in small, safe steps.

Day one, just seeing the gun brought tears. The sound of the slide racking forward was a trigger. Even the smell of gunpowder made her nervous. But slowly, she began to surprise herself. Smiling while racking the slide. Standing taller and more confident in her stance, choosing to keep going.

The Breakthrough Moment

Then came the day she was ready for the range again. We went early in the day and used the extra bay, so we could have it all to ourselves and avoid the gunshots of other shooters. To make it as gentle as possible, we started with a suppressed .22—low recoil, less percussion, and the least intimidating way to begin. Choosing the right tool made all the difference in helping her ease into the experience.

My plan was to have her load just one round and see what happened. If that’s all she did, it would still be a victory.

But after that first shot, she turned to me with a smile and said: “That was a lot of fun!”

She went on to fire all 50 rounds, center mass in a tight grouping. She saved her last five rounds to try the gun without the suppressor, so she could feel the difference and experience the full sound.

For the first time, she didn’t just face her fear, she enjoyed it.

I could see how proud she was of herself. And I was equally proud of her.

What This Means

Her journey is far from over, but this moment was a turning point. To watch her push past her trauma, reclaim her confidence, and walk out smiling is exactly why I teach.

And I think part of what makes this progress possible is that she knows I get it. Without me needing to share details of my past, she can sense that I understand fear and panic. I know what it feels like to have control taken from me, which is why I always make sure she has it.

Those little things like breathing together, slowing down, and giving her choices are what help her feel safe. And when a woman feels safe, real progress is possible.

It’s about more than just firearms. It’s about giving women a space to take their power back and find strength on the other side of fear. I’m honored to be part of her journey, and I can’t wait to share more of her story as it unfolds.

Why I Share These Stories

✨ This is why I share these stories. They’re not just about learning to shoot. They’re about women facing fears, building confidence, and taking their power back one step at a time. My hope is that by sharing these journeys, other women will see that progress is possible, even when fear feels overwhelming.

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💡 If you’ve been holding back because of fear or past experiences, know that you don’t have to walk this journey alone. With patience, understanding, and step-by-step training, confidence is possible.
👉 Contact me and let’s take the first step together.