What does it take to become the most decorated skeet shooter in history—and stay there?

In this episode of True Alternatives, host Marc Feuerstein sits down with four-time Olympic gold medalist Vincent Hancock for a conversation that goes far beyond the shooting range. From a backyard training ground in Georgia to the global stage of the Olympic Games,

Vincent shares the relentless process behind elite performance—mental conditioning, visualization, discipline, and the sacrifices required in pursuit of excellence. Vincent reflects on the difference between the prestige of Olympic medals and the grind of World Championships, the psychology of dealing with failure, and why teaching athletes to be “comfortable being uncomfortable” is core to his coaching philosophy.

The discussion also explores the financial realities of Olympic athletes and how the newly launched Stevens Financial Security Awards—providing post-Games income and family support—represent a transformative shift for Team USA.

Whether you’re an athlete, parent, coach, or simply someone striving to achieve more, Vincent’s journey is a compelling blueprint for the power of intentionality and mental resilience.

Key Highlights:

[05:20] – A Backyard Olympic Dream

How Vincent’s father built him a personal shooting range, and what a day of training looked like starting at age 13.

[08:37] – Mental Game & Visualization

Vincent walks through his intense, perfection-driven visualization practice—imagining every target, movement, and result in slow motion.

[14:22] – Handling Failure & Pressure

Vincent explains the mental framework of “what happened, why, and how do I fix it?”—his method for processing both mistakes and successes.

[18:32] – Distraction Training & Adrenaline

How Vincent trains by creating chaotic environments on purpose—including heckling from

friends and family—to simulate Olympic pressure.

[20:57] – What Excellence Takes

Advice Vincent gives to his daughters and athletes about what it really takes to pursue

excellence: striving for perfection, knowing you’ll never reach it.

[22:04] – The Financial Reality for Olympians

The difference between NBA-level visibility and the economic struggles of most Olympic

athletes. “We do it for the love, not the money.”

[25:33] –The Stevens Financial Security Award

Vincent’s candid perspective on how this new initiative provides long-overdue financial security and dignity for Olympians.

[28:45] – Legacy & Final Reflections

What Vincent hopes young athletes will take from his story—and why helping others grow is his true legacy beyond medals.

[30:23] – The True Gold Medal Moment

Vincent shares that his favorite moment wasn’t winning gold—it was walking into the Opening

Ceremony, representing the United States.

About Vincent:

Vincent Hancock is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and the most decorated skeet shooter in history, with over 30 international gold medals and four World Championships titles. A lifelong student of excellence and discipline, Vincent began his shooting journey at age ten and soon built a backyard range with his father to train full-time. Known for his powerful mental game, innovative coaching style, and passion for youth development, Vincent is as committed to mentoring the next generation of athletes as he is to refining his own craft. Off the field, he’s a proud father, coach, and advocate for athlete financial security and longevity in sport.

To learn more about Vincent: https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/vincent-hancock-848530

To learn more about The Stevens Financial Security Award: https://www.usopc.org/news/2025/march/04/united-states-olympic-paralympic-committee-and-united-states-olympic-paralympic-foundation-announce-100-million-gift-to-support-post-games-financial-security-for-team-usa-athletes

To get involved and support the US Olympians and Paralympians: https://www.flow.page/marchstevensevent