Lisa is one of our founding members and a true leader within Lady Sentinel. She’s known for being incredibly helpful and supportive of everyone around her. Classy, engaging, and full of great ideas, she has played a big role in strengthening our community. Whether on the range or outside of it, Lisa is often seen connecting with other members and leading by example.

We asked Lisa a few questions so you could get to know her better — here’s what she had to say:

What first motivated you to start training with Lady Sentinel, and how has that reason evolved over time?

“I had been looking for a women’s shooting group, and a place to grow as I was getting more comfortable, but I still wanted support. I wanted a safe place to take on a new challenge and to learn more about firearms. I wanted to learn a variety of skills and I wanted an instructor to coach me, without a lot of pressure. I had to do this on my terms, but the right instructors have been able to nudge me to lean into new challenges. ”

What’s one way training has impacted your life outside the range — in confidence, mindset, or everyday situations?

“Since I started training, my family has even noticed that I am more situationally aware of my surroundings and I am more comfortable with a variety of guns. As a teacher, I wanted to be able to disarm a gun if the need arose, or use my trauma training. A few weeks after my trauma training, I helped a student having a seizure, and I was able to coach a colleague on how to put on a tourniquet. I now carry & conceal, and since I travel on the road for my job, I feel safe, knowing that I can defend myself.”

What has been your favorite Lady Sentinel moment or memory so far?

“My favorite LS moments:

1. Back in the spring, Randi McSpadden and I were getting ready for a match. Unlike other competitions where you are pitted against your opponents, we worked together to strategize how to load our mags, and when/where to drop them. We talked about holsters and cheered each other on. There was no competition between us… just within ourselves to do our personal best!
2. Cheering on fellow Ladies at our matches – I’m not good at taping up the holes after each round, but I will be the gal pumping you up before you shoot, and clapping and shouting for you when you are done!
3. My personal favorite memory was hitting the clay pigeon when we shot trap. NEVER, in a million years, did I think that I could hit a moving target! The pin that the RO gave me still makes me smile and stand a little taller.”

If another woman was nervous about joining, what would you say to encourage her to take the first step?

“For a lady who is intrigued, I encourage her to think what she would say to her younger self about any milestone in her life that was challenging. I would ask her, ‘What would you write in that letter to your younger self, to reassure that girl that she will become so much more in life, by taking this step?’ I would share that every single one of our members is alongside you to support you… no nasty cliques, no trash talk, no shame… just support, however you need it. Conquer your fear… you are worth it! Also, the support network that you create in LS will help you in other parts of your life. We have become a sisterhood like none other that I have experienced. We stick by each other! I truly value the friendships that I have made in LS. ”

Why do you keep showing up — what’s your “why” for continuing to train and grow with this community?

“I keep showing up because I value the cycle of continuous development and improvement. Although I am a perfectionist, I take the time to reflect, set my new goal, and I work hard to improve. Every time that I am at The Range, a staff member (and even fellow shooters) are willing to share free advice. I appreciate their insights. The industry’s online platforms are very supportive, too. I’ve never felt ashamed to ask a question.”

Tell us something fun about yourself outside of shooting — a hobby, hidden talent, or favorite way to spend your time.

“Outside of LS, I work full-time at a law firm and part time for Southeast Missouri State University. My hobbies are mostly in volunteering for Greater St. Louis Honor Flight and as a recreational therapist for Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. I also can be seen at events supporting Backstoppers and The Gary Sinise Foundation. My family and I are very involved in various Masonic fraternal organizations, as we are pictured below… we enjoy serving in civic roles. Last but not least, I love looking for the unsung hero who breaks the case in Dateline, and I am known for my online commentaries when I watch pageants. ”

Lisa is an amazing example of the courage, growth, and leadership that Lady Sentinel is all about. We are proud to have her as part of our founding sisterhood.

Lady Sentinel is built on the strength of women lifting each other up — but along the way, we’ve been fortunate to have incredible allies who believe in our mission. One of those people is Phil Balsamo, Training Manager at The Range St. Louis West.

Elizabeth shared this about Phil:

“Phil’s leadership has a ripple effect. His drive to help people is immense, and his pursuit of knowledge never stops. That dedication permeates through his training team and every student he teaches. He leads not only with skill, but with a heart for empowering others.”

We asked Phil a few questions about his connection to Lady Sentinel:

What inspired you to get involved with Lady Sentinel?

“The ladies! They show up. Sometimes with excitement, sometimes with nerves, but they show up. And that’s powerful. Plus the energy and passion that Elizabeth brings to the group is absolutely contagious. Being even a small part of something so positive and empowering is incredibly rewarding for me.”

What makes Lady Sentinel stand out?

“Lady Sentinel isn’t backed by a big national organization or major sponsors. It started as a grassroots idea, hoping we might get 15 or 20 women to join. But it quickly grew to over 100 members, all of whom truly want to be here and be involved. That kind of organic growth, fueled by passion and community, is rare. The potential of this group, and the women in it, is limitless. I’m excited to see where it all goes.”

Advice for women just starting out?

“Just show up. Taking that first step can feel intimidating, but it’s also incredibly empowering. Sometimes the scariest steps are the most rewarding, and this one could lead to many more. The women in this group will support you every step of the way.”

One practice that builds confidence?

“Stay humble and embrace a growth mindset. Be open to learning, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to be a beginner. Showing up with curiosity and a willingness to grow makes all the difference.”

Something outside the range?

“I love being outside! Whether it’s hiking with family and friends or hitting the trails on one of my bikes. I try to take advantage of all the amazing parks we have here in Missouri. Maybe we need a Lady Sentinel day at the park sometime…”

Phil, thank you for always showing up for us — your encouragement, leadership, and support mean more than you know.

~ Written by Jenny S.

Have you ever aimed for perfection, but gave up before you even began? If you can’t do it perfectly the first time, why even try, right? In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell famously contends that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of practice before one can reach expert levels in just about any category. Yet, so many of us feel disappointment, embarrassment, or even shame when we try something new and it doesn’t click right away.

Why are we expecting perfection when it’s new?
What if, instead, we gave ourselves permission to be a beginner?
Or better yet, permission to fail?

Think about babies as they learn to walk. How many times do they stumble on their way to that first big step? How often do they fall, even after taking a few steps? Eventually, they get the hang of it. With every misstep, they learn. At some point, they might even get good enough to run—maybe even skip! But it all starts with literal baby steps, and a whole lot of mistakes along the way.

How can we stack the deck as rookies in the shooting world, and set ourselves up to succeed? Fortunately, within our Lady Sentinel community, we have a prime example of what this looks like. Recently, our head facilitator, Liz, competed in A Girl & A Gun’s 3-Gun Challenge at Fall Fest—something she had never previously done. Here are a few key takeaways she modeled for us:

1. Safety First

Keep the safety fundamentals at the forefront of your mind at all times. If any accidents or mistakes happen, at least they are under the safest of circumstances.

2. Do It Scared

Don’t wait for the fear to dissipate in order to begin—it may never completely go away. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. Education and preparation can help minimize the fear.

3. Surround Yourself with Support

Find cheerleaders, coaches, and mentors who help you push through your blocks and build confidence. Liz leaned on veterans like fellow Lady Sentinel member and competitive shooter Chelsie, as well as “Squad Dad” Phil, for guidance and support. When you’re learning in a supportive environment, it’s easier to succeed.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes

Approach new challenges with the goal of learning. Every mistake or setback is a notch on the belt toward your goal. The only real disappointment is if we don’t learn from our mistakes.

In this case, Liz noticed a pattern in her performance where she lost points for failing to engage several targets. Because she recognized this mistake, she can now adjust her training to be better prepared for next year’s competition.

These four steps don’t just lead to positive outcomes—they also build character, discipline, and skill. Everyone starts somewhere, and by allowing ourselves to be beginners, if you keep showing up and doing the work, you won’t be one for long. Then, you can pay it forward and share your wisdom with the new (or newer) beginners among us, too.

~ Written by Jenny S.

What do Lena Miculek, American competitive shooter with 9 world titles in 5 different disciplines, and I have in common? I can easily rattle off many of the ways we’re different. I didn’t grow up as a “gun enthusiast,” shooting sports are not part of my DNA, and firearms, in general, have historically made me uncomfortable. So, how did Lena find common ground with me in just a few seconds? She shared the following words of wisdom:

“Fear is a liar. It’s a thief of life, and it will take all that you let it.”

Over the last few years, I’ve dedicated incredible energy to exploring my own fears. I have investigated their root cause, figured out what fuels them, and learned how to counter them, in order to live more confidently and happily. Lena’s perspective really resonated with me. Fear is often based on the unknown. It is a feeling, a perception, an assumption. It is not a fact. How can we counter something that is so elusive? For me, the answer is with education and experience.

Recently, on a family vacation, I got the chance to test this theory. Despite growing up in a coastal city, I have never really felt comfortable near the ocean. Its powerful and unpredictable waves mystified me, and let’s not even discuss the unknown creatures living in the deepest and darkest of its abyss. So, when my husband suggested we take a family surf lesson, I quickly volunteered to stay by the shore, and take photos of their adventure from a safe distance. On the morning of the lesson, as we got to know the instructors, I was struck by what I saw. Yes, they really knew what they were doing on the water, but more importantly, the way they prioritized their students’ safety and education, gave me just enough courage to join them.

Was I nervous? So much so, that my entire body quaked with shivers the whole way into the deep water zone. Did that stop me? No. I fought my fear with education, and now it was time to bring in the experience. I relied on the lessons they taught us on the dryland, got out of my own way, and surprised even myself, when I stood up tall on the very first wave. And then I swam out and did it again. And again. And each time I awaited the wave, my heart pounded with the intoxicating cocktail of adrenaline and competence, as I grew more and more confident.

I would have easily missed out on the highlight of our family vacation, if I had trusted the lies in my fears.

What motivated me to take that leap of faith? The surfing instructors reminded me of my experience with Lady Sentinel, a women’s empowerment group centered on self-protection, much of which is with firearms training. Although I may not seem like the most likely member of Lady Sentinel, the dots are easy to connect. Since joining the group, I’ve learned about more prickly topics than I can count. I’ve shown up to just about every monthly session, even when the topics don’t seemingly appeal to me, and especially when they terrify me. Why have I done this? Because, like Lena, I recognized that my fears were not based on facts. And so, I leaned into the opportunity to learn with topnotch instructors who prioritize my safety, and value education. It is through this incredible training and real exposure, that I have since overcome a lifelong clinical phobia of firearms. Better yet, I’m part of a community of women who join me in these pursuits, and empower me to carry on those values in other areas of my life. Like surfing.

So, the next time you are wrestling with your own fears, channel your inner Lena Miculek, and look for the lies. Ask yourself if they are based on facts or feelings. Counter them with education and experience. Find the teachers who prioritize your safety. Then, get out of your own way. You may just find yourself riding a wave of newfound confidence.