{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"TRAINING PROGRAMS, COACHING SYSTEMS, AND ICE CREAM INCENTIVES WITH ALEXIS RUIZ AND MEL NICHOLS","description":"This week on NFAA Talks with Rod White, Rod had the chance to sit down with Alexis Ruiz and her coach Mel Nichols. Alexis, winner of the women\u2019s freestyle championship at The Vegas Shoot 2018 just became an NFAA Pro within the last year. At only 18 years old, she\u2019s making quite a name for herself. After initially getting into the sport of archery through NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program), Alexis signed on with a full time coach. Coach Mel encourages her to set high, yet achievable, goals; discussing the training and dedication necessary for Alexis to be at the level she is today. Rod asks the pair- In the instance of new equipment, how does the bow get where it needs to be? Coach Mel\u2019s response: \u201cOn Monday, there are two brand new bows that we\u2019re pulling right out of the box. Putting brand new strings and getting it going. We\u2019ll get it set up where we think it looks good. We\u2019ll put it in her hands and I want her to do the same training. She\u2019ll say \u2018hey we need to do this\u2019 and we\u2019ll adjust it to her style.\u201d Alexis chimed in, \u201cAll my bows are really close and similar, so I\u2019ll know when something is off.\u201d The two go on to discuss summer plans and Alexis\u2019 favorite NFAA format. Her idols in archery include Paige Gore and Brady Ellison. In the transition from Indoor to Outdoor season, Alexis talks about how even though the bows may change, mental game stays the same. Rod\u2019s final question\u2026 What\u2019s your key to winning archery? Alexis responds candidly, \u201cIn Vegas, I would shoot and we would go get ice cream and then go get lunch!\u201d Coach Mel adds, \u201cThat\u2019s how she had to win! We had ice cream before, and then street tacos\u201d. ","author_name":"The National Field Archery Association's Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/nfaausa.libsyn.com\/website","html":"