The Shot I Missed

The Shot I Missed

A few days ago, I missed a deer.

I’d spent hours sitting there. Watching the trail. Trying to stay still. Waiting for that small window where preparation and opportunity finally line up.

Then it happened.

I drew back, settled in, released—and watched the arrow go underneath her.

That was it.

It’s easy to let a moment like that eat at you. You start replaying it. Thinking about what you should’ve done differently. Wondering whether all the preparation actually meant anything.

But that’s also kind of the point.

Recovery has taught me that progress doesn’t mean everything starts going right.

Sometimes you miss.

Sometimes something breaks.

Sometimes you realize you weren’t as prepared as you thought you were.

And sometimes you just have a bad day.

The important part is what happens afterward.

I went home. I figured out what needed fixing. I kept shooting. I kept learning.

And I went back out.

That’s what Second Ascent means to me.

It isn’t about reaching some point where life becomes easy. It’s about learning how to keep moving when it isn’t.

There will always be another climb.

Another morning.

Another chance to do it better.

Always forward.