Explore the Importance of Training with Purpose: Insights from Mike Kinsey

Why Your Firearms Training Should Be About More Than Just Shooting

In an era where personal safety and responsibility take center stage, a growing number of firearm enthusiasts are beginning to realize that training is about much more than merely improving your shooting accuracy. In the insightful discussion from the podcast Living with Deeper Conviction & Training with Purpose, firearms instructor Mike Kinsey challenges this notion, urging individuals to dig deep into their motivations behind their training.

In Living with Deeper Conviction & Training with Purpose, the discussion dives into why understanding the motivations behind firearms training matters, exploring key insights that sparked deeper analysis on our end.

The Importance of Asking 'Why'

At the heart of Kinsey's teachings is the pivotal question: "Why?" Understanding your motivations can fundamentally shape how you approach your training. Kinsey emphasizes that it’s crucial for students to ask why they are doing specific training exercises and how these skills apply to their daily lives. He advocates that without a clear purpose, it’s all too easy to drift away from one’s core values and identity.

Connecting Values with Skills

Kinsey, who is also a husband, father, and school board president, views the practice of training as an intertwining of skill sets and personal values. His philosophy is that if your skills—especially those related to firearms—are not aligned with your values, you risk losing sight of what truly matters. The core of training, according to him, should revolve around how you can protect and serve loved ones and your community, fostering a sense of responsibility and liberty.

Building Community Through Training

A powerful takeaway from the conversation is the communal aspect of firearms training. Kinsey highlights events like FreedomFest, where participants engage in various training sessions while fostering community spirit. Such gatherings, he argues, are not just about improving shooting techniques but also about building lasting relationships and creating networks of support among like-minded individuals.

Mindset Over Mechanics

For Kinsey, success in firearms training lies less in mechanical perfection and more in mindset. He notes that many individuals get caught in the trap of improvement purely based on metrics, rather than on personal growth or understanding their 'why.' This paradigm shift encourages individuals to embrace their journey, recognizing that the path to proficiency should be engaging and filled with intentionality.

Embedding Standards into Daily Life

Kinsey stresses the importance of setting standards not only in shooting but in every facet of life. How we interact with our families, manage our work, and strive for personal growth should all reflect our underlying standards and values. By doing this, trainees can ensure they do not wake up one day and find themselves far removed from their true selves.

Taking Action

If Kinsey’s insights resonate with you, consider how to embed these principles into your own life. Start by reflecting on your motivations for training and how they align with your values. Whether you are a novice shooter or seasoned expert, it’s never too late to reassess and realign your training journey with the deeper 'why' behind your actions.

For those interested in pursuing excellence in firearms training while living with deeper conviction, resources like the Gunset Training Group offer valuable opportunities. Check out their website and consider joining their training events or group discussions for a community experience that emphasizes growth and collective responsibility.