Wednesday Jun 10, 2026

584 | Olympic Biathlete Paul Schommer on Shooting, Stress, Mindset, & More...

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 baseline preparation is already good enough.
The Cross-Crossover to Archery: How Paul sold off his Team USA Olympic gear to fund a new bow, drew a once-in-a-lifetime North Dakota moose tag, and used archery principles to improve his biathlon career.

Whether you are looking to fine-tune your rifle mechanics, manage "buck fever" under pressure, or structure your physical conditioning for the upcoming season, Paul's process-oriented mindset offers a masterclass in execution.

Connect with Paul:

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/