Training With a Grandmaster: My 1-on-1 Sessions With DeShaun Jenkins

By Paige “Paige-Chan” Huynh

(USPSA Shooter, Content Creator)

When I first stepped into competitive shooting, I knew I had a lot to learn, but I also knew I wanted to improve fast and avoid building bad habits. That’s what led me to train 1-on-1 with USPSA Grandmaster DeShaun Jenkins, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my shooting journey.

Working with DJ has completely changed the way I see competition shooting. He doesn’t just tell me what to do, he explains why each movement, each sight picture, and each decision matters. From the draw, to transitions, to the mental game, every session has pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible.

I’ve learned how to trust my eyes, move with purpose, and break down stages with more confidence. Some of the lessons were small refinements; others were big breakthroughs that immediately showed up in my match performance. The more we trained, the more I started to understand what it means to shoot with intention, not just reaction.

If you’re new to the sport or even just trying to tighten up your fundamentals, I can’t recommend structured coaching enough. Progress becomes clearer, mistakes become opportunities, and suddenly things that once felt overwhelming start to make sense.

This is only the beginning of my journey, but thanks to DJ’s guidance, and the support of Tactical Playground HQ, I finally feel like I’m growing into the shooter I want to be.