Are You Training to Get Better, or Just Getting Comfortable?

Summary: Are you genuinely improving your skills, or simply getting better at practicing what you already know? In this episode of Making Shooters Better, retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant and Special Forces veteran William “Will” Thornton joins Terry Vaughan to explore why meaningful improvement requires more than repetition and experience. Drawing on his journey from the 82nd Airborne to Special Forces selection, along with decades of leadership and coaching, Will shares lessons about mental preparation, overcoming setbacks, testing our confidence, and the importance of remaining a lifelong student. From the shooting range to everyday life, this conversation challenges us to recognize our limitations, embrace opportunities to learn, and ask ourselves whether our training is actually making us better. Episode Description: Are you training to improve, or have you simply become comfortable doing what you're already good at? It's an uncomfortable question, particularly for experienced shooters. We develop skills, build confidence, and establish routines. But somewhere along the way, it's possible to confuse familiarity with genuine improvement. In this episode of Making Shooters Better, host Terry Vaughan welcomes retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant and Special Forces veteran William “Will” Thornton for a conversation about preparation, mental resilience, and what it takes to keep growing. Will's remarkable military journey took him from the 82nd Airborne Division to Cold War Berlin, where he witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall, and eventually through Special Forces selection and into 3rd Special Forces Group. Along the way, he discovered that physical ability and experience are only part of the equation. Mental preparation, adaptability, humility, and a willingness to learn from setbacks can be just as important. In this episode, we explore: Why repetition doesn't necessarily translate into improvement. How confidence can become a liability when our abilities go untested. The role of visualization and deliberate dry-fire practice in developing shooting skills. Why adding appropriate challenges to training helps us recognize our limitations. What failure teaches us about resilience, discipline, and personal growth. Why learning from people who are better than we are can accelerate improvement. How to remain adaptable and open to learning throughout life's inevitable transitions. Today, Will is the founder of The Unlimited Well Group, where he helps individuals and organizations navigate change, recognize their potential, and pursue meaningful growth. The takeaway? Becoming a better shooter isn't simply about spending more time practicing. It's about making that practice count, challenging our assumptions, and having the humility to recognize that there's always something more to learn. Connect with William Thornton Website: https://theunlimitedwell.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-thornton-acc-b3979b2a/ About Making Shooters Better Presented by Laser Ammo and hosted by former Royal Marine Commando and TOP SHOT Season 4 alum Terry Vaughan, Making Shooters Better brings together experienced shooters, instructors, and subject-matter experts to explore practical strategies for becoming safer, smarter, and more capable. If this conversation challenges how you think about training, share it with a fellow shooter or instructor, and subscribe for more conversations designed to help you train smarter.