Q&A with Julie Golob

Meet Julie Golob – professional competition shooter, world and national champion, veteran, published author, avid outdoors woman, and most importantly, wife and mom. 

What is your favorite animal to hunt?
It’s such a hard question. It’s like asking what is your favorite gun! 🙂 I would say that mule deer are my favorite to hunt because I have many great memories hunting them with my husband on “date hunts.” There’s just something so amazing about glassing over a huge area, spotting some mulies and then trying to get as close to them as possible. It takes communication and teamwork and I think its great for our marriage.

 

What was your last indulgence?
This year is a big one being a world championship year for practical shooting. With that I’ve cut out bread, sugar and all the things I shouldn’t eat. Soft chewy bagels, cheese cake and ice cold beer — those are on the celebration food list after the World Shoot, but I am also not too hard on myself. I’ll have a bite or sip every now and again but for now, this GWG is on a mission!

 

What is the funniest thing that has happened you in the field/range?
There are those times when I’ve brought the wrong gear to the range or forgot a target on a stage. I find if you can laugh at your mistakes, you can take a negative situation and insert some joy and laughter in it.  That bit of positivity can go along way when you’re trying to learn from your mistakes.

 

Three words to describe you
Determined. Loyal. Real.

 

When was the last time you sang out loud? What song?
I grew up singing and playing instruments. Music is very powerful and every time I am on the road driving to a match or hitting the range with with the weed wacker, I’m bustin’ out the tunes. This morning my girls and I were belting out “Fight Song.” It’s a good one for young girls and their mom too.

 

Favorite piece of GWG Gear
What I love about GWG is that so much thought goes into every article, whether it’s fashion or purpose built for the field or gym. As an LEO wife, the back the blue line is very near and dear to me.

 

Treestand or Stalk?
Stalk, though I do appreciate the stand as well. I love the physical challenge of stalking an animal but I won’t turn down hours of peace in a stand.

 

Weapon of Choice?
For my day job it’s all handguns, mostly semi-autos with either the S&W 1911 or the M&P.  I just feel at home with a handgun. That said I haven’t found a gun I didn’t enjoy shooting. I view knives and firearms as tools. You gotta have the right one for the right job.

 

 

Your best tip for a new hunter/shooter?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and keep an open mind. You can learn so much from other hunters and shooters about the game your shooting or hunting. Tap into that knowledge. Let their experiences help you achieve your goals.

 

If you could hunt/shoot with anyone, who would it be?
Annie Oakley. Not only an incredible shot and most iconic woman of all time with a firearm, but as an advocate for women’s rights, I would have loved to spend a day shooting and/or hunting with her. She was such doer and I have such an immense respect for her abilities, intelligence and drive.

 

What was the last thing your child/husband/boyfriend/hunting buddy did to make you laugh?
We make it a habit to get outside and explore. One of our favorite things is to walk around our pond stalking bull frogs to see how close we can get. They move so suddenly, we always jump too and it results in giggle fits.

 

Last time you freaked out?
Serving in the military and working in a male dominated field, I’ve learned to be as calm and cool as I can. I go for the “kill them with kindness” method with a dash of wit. I get very frustrated when people lie or treat others poorly and I just won’t tolerate abuse. Beyond that though, I find that patience often rewards the best kind of justice.

 

Pet Peeve?
As a frequent traveller I find it so annoying how people rush the baggage carousel in the airport. It would be so much faster, so much easier if everyone took a step or 2 back and only walked up when they saw their bag. You know?

 

Last gift you gave?
A dozen fresh eggs to a neighbor.

 

 

Greatest hunting/shooting moment of bliss?
Bringing home the USPSA Carry Optics Ladies National Title. I love the feeling of working hard for something and seeing it all come together. It makes me want to do it over and over and over and… you get the idea. 🙂

 

Funniest text message you’ve ever received?
I have a group of male buddies that constantly give each other a hard time and send each other memes via text. I’ve always been “one of the guys” and to read the back and forth has me in stitches.

 

Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, all or none?  
Instagram and Facebook (@JulieGolob) for me though I do have a Twitter (@julieg1) account that I occasionally use. I used to love Snapchat but now that there’s Instagram stories, I use that now. Social media is such an awesome way to connect with fellow shooters, hunters and those interested in these things, but you can’t commit to every network at the same level. I try to be as active as I can be while still being able to spend time with my family. Balance is everything.

 

Last time you cringed?
As a mom it seems like I cringe often. I see every skinned knee and bump in slow motion right as it happens. Raising active little girls this seems to happen all the time! Motherhood is such a tough, emotional job, but I also wouldn’t trade it for anything.

 

Best animal you’ve ever seen?
I’ve been elk hunting a handful of times and I so enjoy the incredible challenge of it. I won a special draw archery tag in the Missouri Breaks up in Montana and as I was walking in saw a bull with 6 cows racing across the landscape. They were likely spooked by other hunters but all I could do was stare open mouthed. I couldn’t tell you what that bull scored but the sheer power and speed, I was awestruck. We have so many incredible animals on this planet.

 

Last time you watched the sunrise?
Most of my competition days start so early that I see the sun rise and sometimes even set on the range.  I am generally a morning person and there’s something special about seeing the world come to life.

 

Bow, Gun, or both?
Generally gun though I do love shooting the bow. Between the intense competition schedule and training, I just never have time to properly prepare for the bow season. With so many years of shooting firearms under my belt, I can transition to hunting with firearm easily. With far less time on the bow, I don’t have the same level of confidence. As a hunter, making a clean, ethical shot is paramount and you must have the skills and confidence to do so, whatever the tool.

 

 

What do you love to do when you aren’t hunting/shooting?
Family time is everything. I love taking care of our little farm. We have chickens, a few cats and a dog. I love cooking, taking on small building projects and teaching my girls that they can build and create with both their hands and their hearts. I also love quiet time with a book and a good cup of coffee.

 

If you had a million dollars, what’s the first thing you would do?
Family is first so I’d help ease some financial burdens for those that are dear to me.

 

What charity do you love?
As a former soldier, veteran charities are near and dear to me. Active Heroes, HAVA and Freedom Hunter are three of my favorites.

 

Favorite shade of lipstick and/or nail polish?
For lips, I love nudes. You know, the your lips but better kinda color that makes you look put together. As for nails, it’s rare that I slap on the paint because life is so busy and I do so much with my hands. When I do wear nail polish I either go for something that won’t show chips or the other extreme — purple, crimson, navy. I’ll never be a hand model and that’s fine by me!

 

If you had one hour to live, how would you spend it?
I’d every second of it with my husband and daughters. My husband is my rock and my girls are my double rainbow.

 

Which is better – nap or mani/pedi?
Nap. Sleep is a secret weapon.

 

What motto best describes you?
Dream big and work hard.

 

You’re a girl with a gun – what gun is it?
If it has a trigger, I can learn to shoot it well and have fun doing it.

 

Who taught you to hunt/shoot?
My dad introduced me to both shooting and hunting. I am forever grateful and his patience and guidance is what I hope to pass on to my girls.

 

 

Who was your favorite teacher and why?
Dad, of course! When I was a teenager, when my friends were rebelling, I had a great teacher, friend and shooting buddy. Who could ask for more?

 

If fans want to reach you, where can they reach out to you?
Facebook.com/juliegolobInstagram.com/juliegolob or through my website juliegolob.com.

 

What’s one item on your bucket list?
I want to shoot in all 50 states, either at targets or on wild game. I’m so close!

 

A fun fact no one would know about you?
I hate carrots.

 

Do you believe we need female role models for young girls in our industry?
Of course! Even though I was a daddy’s girl who spent time on the range in the field with my father, I was drawn to the women in the shooting sports. Sheila Brey, Kippi Leatham and Kay Miculek were the super stars I looked up to. More than any pop star or model, these women were always working hard, striving to be the best in a male dominated sport. They had their own style and grace and they did with a gun on their hip. I looked up to them. I wanted to become just like them. When I think of my own daughters, I want them to see women who are strong, capable and feminine.

 

 

How do you train to be prepared for your season?
I have the best job in the world! I get to shoot for a living. That said, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t work. The hours on the range working skills over and over again, picking up brass and maintaining targets. There’s physical and mental training with time in the gym and reading books on mental management. I have to prep ammo and gear, make travel arrangements and balance sponsor commitments. To be at the top of the game, it’s full time.

One thought on “Q&A with Julie Golob

  1. Erica says:

    I love Julie! Such a dynamic women! She is such a phenomenal shooter and still so feminine! It’s awesome you guys featured her! Great article!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *