Shoot to Win | Chris Cheng | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Chris Cheng discusses his experience competing in the show "Top Shot," his book "Shoot to Win," and his outreach efforts on behalf of the LGBT and Asian communities.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] AUSTIN WILKINS: We're very privileged to have Chris Cheng with us. Chris Chang worked at Google, starting in 2007 doing technical support for the Google Apps for Business, now known as G Suite. Chris trained and competed in History Channel's "Top Shot" season 4 while at Google, and ultimately, leaving Google upon completing that cha... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Top Shot is a unique marksmanship competition that challenges competitors to adapt to unfamiliar situations and ambiguity.
• 😉 Cheng wrote "Shoot to Win" to share the knowledge and skills he acquired while preparing for "Top Shot." The second edition includes references to free YouTube videos for additional instruction.
• ❓ Cheng's experiences in the firearms community have challenged his preconceived notions, and he advocates for diversity and inclusion in the industry.
• 🦺 The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the basics of firearm safety and operation, as well as the value of practice and dedication to improve skills.
• 🚙 The shooting sports are statistically one of the safest sports, and training and safety are core principles of the community.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Top Shot and how does it test competitors' skills?

Top Shot is a marksmanship challenge where competitors face different challenges using various weapons. The show tests their ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations and ambiguity, forcing them to think creatively and problem-solve quickly.

Q: Why did Cheng release a second edition of his book "Shoot to Win"?

The second edition of the book was released in paperback and features a foreword by Katie Pavlich. It is more affordable and includes references to free instructional YouTube videos that complement the book.

Q: How did Cheng use his previous experiences and skills to win "Top Shot" and succeed in shooting sports?

Cheng combined skills he developed during his time at Google, such as checklisting and problem-solving, with the basics he learned through online research and self-teaching. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the basics, using checklists, and repeating actions to improve skills.

Q: What are Cheng's advocacy efforts in the firearms community?

Cheng is involved in outreach efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, specifically for the LGBT and Asian communities. He aims to break stereotypes and spread awareness about the positive aspects of firearm ownership and safety education.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chris Cheng participated in the show "Top Shot," a marksmanship competition where competitors faced unique challenges with different weapons.

• He wrote a book, "Shoot to Win," to share the knowledge and skills he acquired while preparing for "Top Shot." The second edition includes references to YouTube videos for additional instruction.

• Cheng has been involved in outreach efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the firearms community, particularly for the LGBT and Asian communities.