Robert, what disciplines are you currently competing in?

I have shot and trained in USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association)/IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) and IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) style competitions for 20 years now.

Tell us what you’ve been up to since we last spoke.

I’ve continued to further my career as a professional shooter and trainer. I’ve traveled widely, teaching in person many students from different backgrounds how to be a faster and more accurate shooter. I’ve also had fun along the way with many adventures.

What competitions have you won in that time and which are you most proud of?

I don’t shoot nearly as many big matches as I used to, as my focus is much more on instruction. However, last year while teaching some IDPA classes in Sermoneta, Italy, I did win the “High Overall” score at the Italian IDPA Indoor Championship.

How has your shooting style changed or improved?

My overall style has changed somewhat over the course of 25 years of shooting a handgun seriously. Physically, it has probably been the same for at least 10 years though. Mentally, I’ve developed the ability to be more consistent, I think mostly from shear experience. My teaching style has developed as well in numerous ways.

Tell us about your current competition set up.

I’ve shot Glock pistols pretty exclusively since 2005 and won 24 National and three World Championships with them. These days, I shoot mostly a Glock 34 9mm or a Glock 35 40 cal., either with Hornady 147gr FMJs in 9mm or Hornady 200gr HAP bullets in 40cal. For quite a few years I have used a Safariland 032 Competition Belt and 773 Magazine Pouches. My holsters, depending on application have been Safariland and RLN Custom.

What are your goals for the future?

To continue to be my own boss at Vogel Dynamics and make a living in the shooting industry, as I have done for the last 10 years — teaching classes on the road and at home and selling my products which are primarily my custom pistol sights.

What do you think is important to keep our sport alive and what are you doing to encourage this?

Just to keep introducing people to the sport and telling everyone about it. This is part of what I do for a living every week, teaching different students all over the country.

What mental tool do you use under pressure?

I could write a lot on that but mostly it’s positive self-talk beforehand — there are different ways to do this and it can make a big difference.

What challenges did you overcome to get to where you are today?

I was raised in a loving family but I was never really given or handed anything in life. I think my challenge was being a self-taught, self-made man. I also think being very disciplined and solely focused at a young age helped me a lot.

What motivates you to continue improving?

The pride of being a person who moves forward and not backwards in life and the positive feeling that comes from being successful.

Tell us a bit about what else you enjoy doing outside of teaching and competing.

I have a house in the country and like most things outdoors — hunting, boating, four-wheelers, fast cars and relaxing in my hot tub on the back porch. I also love to travel, simply going places I’ve never been and doing things I’ve never done.