123: Training for Life: Lanny Barnes on Olympic Biathlon, Firearms, and Life Beyond the Podium

She Shield

In Episode 123 of She Shield Podcast, Sofia sits down with Lanny Barnes—a three-time Olympian in biathlon, professional shooter, artist, and all-around force of nature. Lanny offers an unfiltered look at what the Olympic experience is really like, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from her years competing in one of the most demanding sports on earth.

Now preparing for the Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) World Shoot, Lanny opens up about the surprising crossover between her biathlon background and high-level competition shooting. From skiing with a rifle on her back in sub-zero conditions to mastering dynamic movement with a carbine, she breaks down the mental and physical preparation required to compete at the world-class level—then and now.

Sofia and Lanny also dive into personal safety, training philosophies, and how Lanny’s Western roots, artistic mindset, and Olympic grit continue to shape her approach to life on and off the range.

Topics covered include:

• What the Olympics are really like behind the scenes
• Lanny’s transition from biathlon to PCC shooting
• Preparing for extreme sport at the elite level
• The crossover between endurance shooting and dynamic firearms competition
• Her take on personal safety, travel preparedness, and self-reliance
• Advice for women entering the firearms and self-defense world

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Episodes are mixed and mastered by the talented Brendon Galanos.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Lanny's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanny_oakley/reels/?hl=en

2. Lanny's art: http://www.theolympianartist.com/