Competitive shooting is a sport built on consistency, discipline, and practice. Few young shooters demonstrate those qualities as clearly as Olivia Albertson. At just 17 years old, Olivia has already earned multiple state titles, national-level finishes, and a world record in the Limited Optics division at the Steel World Speed Shoot.

In this episode of Making Shooters Better, host Terry Vaughan talks with Olivia about how she developed her training habits, how mindset plays a major role in competition, and why dry fire practice has been such a powerful tool in her progress.

Olivia’s story is also about community and inspiration. She hopes her journey encourages more young shooters, especially girls, to explore the sport and build confidence through safe, responsible training.


How Olivia Got Started in Shooting

Olivia was introduced to shooting when she was about six years old. Early family experiences with firearms helped her become comfortable with safe handling and basic skills.

What began as a casual activity eventually turned into something more serious once she started competing and earning early results. Winning her first individual medal gave her a clear realization that competitive shooting was something she wanted to pursue seriously.

From there, she began exploring different disciplines and competitions while steadily improving her skills.

Exploring Different Shooting Disciplines

As her experience grew, Olivia began competing in several action shooting formats that challenge both speed and accuracy.

  • SASP competitions focused on youth development and steel plate stages
  • Steel Challenge matches centered on speed and efficient transitions
  • Additional crossover exposure to disciplines like USPSA and IDPA

Each format brings different challenges, but they all reinforce strong fundamentals, efficient movement, and disciplined practice.

The Role of Mindset in Competition

One of the most important lessons Olivia has learned is how much mindset affects performance. Competitive shooting often places athletes under pressure, especially during major matches.

To manage that pressure, Olivia focuses on several mental strategies:

  • Visualization of successful stage runs before competition
  • Clear goal setting focused on improvement rather than proving results
  • Allowing herself to reset mentally after mistakes
  • Reinforcing positive thoughts before stepping onto the stage

Visualization in particular has become a powerful training tool. By mentally rehearsing stages and transitions, she builds familiarity before the actual run.

Why Dry Fire Training Matters

Dry fire training is one of the most important parts of Olivia’s routine. Practicing without live ammunition allows shooters to safely repeat key skills and build muscle memory.

Olivia uses dry fire to refine several essential skills:

  • Draw speed and presentation
  • Target transitions
  • Trigger control
  • Stage visualization and timing

Short, consistent sessions often provide more improvement than occasional long range days. Even 15 to 20 minutes of focused practice can produce meaningful results over time.

Training Structure and Physical Preparation

Alongside technical practice, Olivia incorporates physical preparation into her weekly routine. Grip strength and forearm endurance are particularly important for managing recoil and maintaining control during fast shooting strings.

Her routine typically includes:

  • Regular live fire practice sessions with her team
  • Daily dry fire practice when possible
  • Grip strengthening exercises
  • Mobility and recovery work to manage fatigue

These habits help maintain consistency and prepare her for the demands of competition.

Encouraging More Girls to Try Shooting Sports

Beyond competition results, Olivia is passionate about encouraging more girls to participate in shooting sports.

Representation plays an important role in helping new shooters feel comfortable entering the sport. When young athletes see someone they can relate to competing successfully, it can create the confidence to try something new.

Olivia hopes her journey helps demonstrate that shooting sports can be welcoming, supportive communities focused on skill, discipline, and personal growth.

Watch the Full Conversation

This episode of Making Shooters Better explores Olivia Albertson’s journey from early shooting experiences to becoming a world record holder. She shares the practical training habits, mental strategies, and consistent routines that help her perform at a high level.

If you’re interested in competitive shooting, dry fire training, or helping young shooters develop strong fundamentals, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical advice.

Watch the full episode below and subscribe to the Laser Ammo channel for more conversations with shooters, instructors, and competitors focused on building real skills through smart training.

Follow Olivia Albertson

You can follow Olivia’s competition journey and training updates on social media under the handle LivieLiveShot on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Listen to More Episodes

You can listen to Making Shooters Better on your favorite podcast platform. Follow the show here: