Marty Rudd – Connecting with People to Change Their Lives
How and/or Why did you get started in shooting sports?
I didn’t start shooting until later in life. The world has changed since I was a girl, so I decided to buy a gun for self-defense. I bought my first gun and obtained my concealed carry permit without knowing anything about shooting or even firing a gun. My new gun stayed in its box in the closet until I worked up the courage to take a ladies only basic pistol class. There were 50 women in the class!! Seeing all these women that wanted to learn to shoot made me realize I was not alone. I joined a women’s shooting group, started practicing at the range once a week, became a pistol and rifle instructor and a leader of the women’s shooting group. This led to me starting my own firearms training business because I wanted to help women (and men) that were afraid of guns become successful, competent shooters.
Why are you passionate about working for SLG2:
Working with SLG2 Is a wonderful way to connect with people and change their lives! We only have a few minutes to connect with guests, especially those who have never held a gun before. We learn about their background, their fears, their successes and help them build confidence in their ability to handle and shoot a pistol, a rifle (or bow for the ladies!). With experienced shooters we might offer a slight change in their shooting platform that improves their accuracy on the target. The impact that Shoot Like a Girl makes on a community reaches far beyond the guests that visit the trailer. When the guests share their experience and newfound knowledge, they help others become safer, more responsible firearm owners and hunters.
When not shooting, what do you love to do:
Honestly, now that I’m retired, I spend most of my time with things that are related to shooting! I do enjoy reading, good food and sharing a glass of whisky or wine with good friends. When I’m not at the range to shoot or teach a class, I’m probably training my two dogs. Our little terrier and our German Shorthaired Pointer both go to canine conditioning (personal training for dogs – LOL!) and manners classes. I also travel around the country with Vicki Farnam,as an Assistant Instructor for her FlexCCarry SolutionsSM (off body) Instructor level classes. Vicki Is not only a wonderful Instructor, but a history buff so we learn about the historical aspect of the places we visit!
I recently discovered the joy of upland bird hunting and fly fishing! Our German Shorthaired Pointer is a natural hunter and I love hunting over him in the field. He gives me the “look” when I miss the bird, but he quickly forgives me when he catches the scent of the next bird! I have never been fishing in my life, except for learning to cast a fly rod in the Orvis parking lot. My husband loves fishing and I was hooked after my parking lot experience, so I signed up for a dream vacation, fly fishing in Montana. It was amazing! The back-and-forth casting motion is so relaxing, and the thrill of a fish, regardless of size, taking the fly is thrilling whether you are a beginner or experienced! Besides, being out in nature is the perfect stress reliever!