Trap Talk From The Back Fence

Episode 167: Mental Coach Dawn Grant on Hypnosis, Visualization & the Zone

Date: March 13, 2026

Hosts: Zach Nannini & Richard Marshall Jr.
Guest: Dawn Grant (Mental Coach & Hypnotist)

Episode Overview

This in-depth conversation explores the mental side of trapshooting and clay sports with renowned mental coach and hypnotist, Dawn Grant. Dawn shares her unique journey from traditional psychology into mental training and hypnosis, offers actionable tools for athletes, and debunks myths about mental performance and hypnosis. The episode is rich with practical advice, memorable stories, and hands-on exercises that benefit shooters and anyone interested in mental performance under pressure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dawn Grant’s Journey to Mental Coaching and Hypnosis

• Background: Dawn started with a psychology degree intending to help families and children, but became disillusioned with traditional approaches like talk therapy and medication. She pivoted to self-improvement, holistic practices, and found her calling in hypnosis.
• Early Successes:
  • Professional athletes, including PGA Tour pros, sought her help.
  • Notably, helped Vijay Singh overcome a putting slump and win the FedEx Cup, attributing his success to a belief shift enabled by hypnosis.
    "He believed himself to be the best putter in the world… He had been hypnotized… I helped him change his belief system." — Dawn (05:05)
• Transition into Shooting Sports:
  • Initially assisted a clay shooter at the request of a bank president, then worked with top coaches and shooters like John Woolley and Wendell Cherry, which led to a strong reputation in the industry.

2. The Mechanics of Mind: Conscious vs. Subconscious (09:56)

• Conscious Mind (Willpower): Where habits are attempted and often broken by stress or repetition.
  • "Your conscious mind is where your willpower is… But subconscious is where the programming is at." — Dawn (09:56)
• Subconscious Mind (Autopilot): Houses habits, beliefs, and repeated actions.
  • Good or bad mechanics and beliefs sink into the subconscious.
  • Hypnosis efficiently targets these embedded beliefs for long-term change.
• Combined Approach: Dawn advocates blending mental training (conscious) with hypnosis (subconscious) for best results.

3. The Importance of Positive Self-Talk and Belief (13:09)

• The hosts share personal mantras and techniques, like reciting "see the target" before a shot, as a way to sidestep conscious interference.
  • "If you think it before it happens, you're done… If you already know, you’re walking over to one or five and you're like, 'I'm not looking forward to this.'— You're done." — Zach (08:38)
• Belief is Crucial: Repeated positive affirmations feed success, reinforcing positive habits and dampening negativity.

4. Managing Internal Conflict: Wolves, Angels, and Devils (15:39)

• Analogies abound—"feed the good wolf," fight off the "devil" (negative thoughts), nurture the "angel" (encouraging voice).
• Practical Tip: The conscious mind can only focus on one thing at a time—intentionally directing it towards productive, neutral, or positive thoughts is key.
  • "One of the concepts is your conscious mind has what's called one pointed attention. It can only focus on one thing at a time." — Dawn (18:45)

5. Visualization and Mental Rehearsal (28:08)

• The Power of Visualization: Both hosts and Dawn share stories of using visualization to achieve high scores, overcome slumps, and win events.
  • "Before you fall asleep, I want you to break 100 clay targets in your sleep." — Frank Hoppy via Ricky (27:36)
• Visualization is almost as effective as physical practice, and scientific studies support its impact.

6. Why Skepticism Exists & How to Overcome It (38:38)

• Trap shooters often quickly recognize the importance of the mental game; sporting clays competitors can be more skeptical.
• For Skeptics: Visualization exercises or small strategies, like visualizing successful moments or using positive affirmations, are suggested first steps.

7. Law of Attraction, Filtering, and Opportunity (32:35, 40:30)

• The brain filters information based on goals—what you focus on (positive or negative) shows up everywhere.
  • Examples: Wanting a Corvette and suddenly noticing them everywhere; ignoring Bitcoin's early days due to lack of focus on opportunity.
• "Whatever you filter in, you'll see evidence and proof of that subconsciously." — Dawn (29:15)
• Consciously choosing what to focus on attracts more of the same—positivity breeds positive results, negativity the opposite.

8. The Physiology of Hypnosis & The Zone (beta/alpha/theta/delta) (45:49, 64:27)

• Brainwave States:
  • Beta: Active thinking, chatter.
  • Alpha: Relaxed, focused—the "zone."
  • Theta: Deep relaxation.
  • Delta: Sleep.
• Practical Hypnosis Exercise:
  • Dawn leads a guided breathing/visualization (47:58–50:52) putting hosts into a mild hypnotic state, demonstrating in-the-moment mental training.
• The "Zone" is the alpha state—paralleled in both hypnosis and sports peak performance.
  • "Science actually ran… studies on elite athletes in that peak performance state when they're having their best performance and they were in alpha… that's what the zone state is." — Dawn (66:00)

9. Breathing Techniques & Performance Under Pressure (56:04, 74:13)

• Vital for Shooters: Controlling breath calms nerves, enhances focus, and can be trained with drills (e.g., Navy SEAL box breathing).
• "If you can't see it, you're not going to do it." — Ricky (71:32)
• Real-life examples, including stories about helping young shooters (Tyler) manage nerves via breathing.

10. Mind-Body Connection: The Science is Undeniable (71:38)

• Emotional thoughts produce physical effects (elevated heart rate, tension, sweating).
• Focusing on breath or positive stimuli can neutralize anxiety and reset the body for peak performance.

11. Building Confidence with Humility (36:30)

• The distinction between cockiness and confidence; the goal is "confidence with humility" to avoid pitfalls of ego.
  • "I teach confidence with humility. That's when your ego is tamed down…" — Dawn (36:32)

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• On breaking through mental barriers:
  “If someone comes in my class and says, 'I can't' three or four times, I'm like, 'I can't help.' You're not here to learn, you're here to have a debate.” — Ricky (34:58)
• On the mental game’s importance in trap:
  “Trap is mental. I always say it’s about 90% mental. As long as your gun fits you and you know where it’s shooting, your head is what causes you to miss or not believe.” — Ricky (26:46)
• On hypnosis misconceptions:
  “Everybody has gone through hypnosis. It's not strange or odd or weird— they just haven't been taught about it.” — Dawn (60:35)
• On skepticism in the sport:
  “There are so many skeptics out there… but there’s a cause and effect relationship between your mind and your body.” — Dawn (71:38)

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Dawn’s Origin Story & Vijay Singh Example: 00:49–06:00
• Difference Between Hypnosis & Mental Training: 09:56–13:09
• Positive Self-Talk vs. Negative Loops: 13:39–15:39
• Analogy of Wolves—Feeding the Positive: 15:39–17:02
• Visualization in Practice (Frank Hoppy’s advice): 27:36–28:23
• Dawn’s Story About Trapshooters’ Readiness for Mental Coaching: 24:31–26:46
• Guided Breathing & Visualization Exercise: 47:58–50:52
• Discussion on Law of Attraction and Filtering: 29:15–40:30
• Explaining Hypnosis, Brainwave Theory, and The Zone: 45:49–64:27
• Breathing, Stress, and Physical Effects: 56:04–58:17
• Navy SEAL Box Breathing/Science of Breathwork: 74:13–76:01
• Final Advice and Resources from Dawn: 77:41–79:57

Resources & Where to Find More

• Dawn Grant’s Website: dawngrant.com
• Free Web Class: tinyurl.com/cswebclass
• Podcast: Clay Mastermind—Available on all major platforms
• Social Media: Search "Dawn Grant Mental Training" or "Amelia Shotgun Sports"

Closing Takeaways

• The mental aspect of trapshooting is not just real—it’s fundamental to consistent, top-level performance.
• Combining conscious mental training with subconscious techniques like hypnosis can dramatically improve results.
• Visualization, breathing, and targeted self-talk are evidence-based methods available to every shooter.
• The "zone" is real, scientifically measurable, and accessible with the right training.
• Building belief and managing your mind isn’t just for sports—it’s peak human performance applicable everywhere.
• “If you can’t see it, you’re not going to do it.” —Ricky (71:32)

For Listeners

Explore Dawn’s online resources, consider trying her guided exercises, and remember: Feed the good wolf. Direct your focus. Breathe. Visualize success. The rest is repetition, belief, and practice.