A few years ago, I went to one of my local gun ranges to participate in a steel match. It was summer, and at 10 a.m., the temperature was close to 100 degrees—It was a very hot day!

My first stage went well; I felt confident and was shooting accurately. However, as I prepared to move from one position to another on the second stage, I felt a sharp kick on my calf. At first, I thought the Range Officer (RO) had kicked me, and I lost my concentration as a result, leading to several missed shots at the steel plates.

Reality hit me hard when I attempted to move to the next shooting position. I realized that the RO hadn’t kicked me at all; I had torn a muscle in my calf and could barely walk.

A part of me wanted to focus on the negative aspects of my situation. I considered packing up my gear and leaving the range. I was in pain, unable to walk properly, and likely to finish last in the match. Being competitive, I felt like if I couldn’t perform well, I shouldn’t even be competing.

But then, the tough Gabby mindset kicked in. I asked myself, “Are you going to quit like a wimp without even trying?” Yes, I was in pain, but could I remain focused despite the challenge? This was an unprecedented learning experience that I could turn into a positive one. Although one leg was injured, my other leg, arms, and hands were still healthy. I could stay in the fight.

So, I completed four more stages, concentrating on the fundamentals, trying to block out the pain, and encouraging myself to do my best. Finishing last became irrelevant to me. All I wanted was to maintain my focus through that difficult situation and take satisfaction in knowing that I had given it my all.

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