Motherhood, Mindset and Marksmanship: McKenzie Burns’ Road to the Podium
When McKenzie Burns walked onto the firing line at the 2025 IPRF World Championship in England, she carried more than a rifle and gear. She carried the weight of years of determination, a new role as a mother, and a dream that had quietly grown into something extraordinary. Finishing 2nd overall in the Ladies Division with Team USA, McKenzie not only proved her place among the world’s best but also showed what grit, balance, and passion look like in action.
From Clay Targets to Precision Rifles
McKenzie’s story into competitive precision rifle shooting didn’t start the way many expect. She grew up outside of the shooting sports world, with only the occasional rounds through a .22 with her dad. In college, she competed in shotgun sports on her university’s clay target team, but rifles weren’t on her radar until 2020, when she met her husband and was introduced to PRS. Her competitive spirit clicked-on instantly.
With borrowed gear and a hunger to learn, she began entering matches. Along the way, she discovered Apex Optics and applied for a spot on their team, her first big sponsorship earned entirely on her own. “I immediately felt like part of a supportive family,” she says. Three years later, she’s a cornerstone of Team Apex, competing with the Rival 4-32×56 and forging her own path in the sport.
“I immediately felt like part of a supportive family."
Shooting Through Pregnancy and Postpartum
Qualifying for the U.S. Ladies Team was no small feat. The process stretched over 14 months of matches, most of which McKenzie shot while pregnant. From Mississippi to Iowa, she balanced morning sickness, summer heat, and the physical challenges of going prone with a growing baby bump. By August 2024, she welcomed her daughter, Callie, and just two months later, she was back on the line at the PRS National Finale.
Her comeback was far from simple. McKenzie juggled new motherhood with the demands of elite competition, often stepping away mid-match to pump milk before returning to shoot her next stage.
“That was the biggest challenge since having her,” she admits. Yet she adapted, making her practice time more intentional, reshaping her training around limited range access, and leaning on her support system of family, friends, and teammates.
Mindset, Motherhood, and Milestones
“Surprisingly, I never doubted whether I could compete at this level.
Through it all, McKenzie never lost sight of her goals. “Surprisingly, I never doubted whether I could compete at this level,” she reflects. The challenges were real. Pregnancy brain, self-doubt, exhaustion, but she worked to reframe her mindset and focus on growth. In fact, she credits her summer training camp with her U.S. teammates as one of her biggest motivators before Worlds.
Stepping onto the world stage in England was emotional. Representing Team USA and Apex Optics, she felt a surge of pressure but also pride. Live scoring tempted her to peek, but she stayed disciplined, focusing only on her own performance. When the final results revealed she had claimed 2nd place overall, she was stunned. “It was surreal. I think I’m still convincing myself it really happened.”
Adding to the magic, the championship coincided with her daughter’s first birthday, a milestone she celebrated with her family and teammates abroad. For McKenzie, it was a full-circle reminder of why she pushes herself: to balance passion with family, to chase goals, and to show Callie what dedication looks like.
It's Hard, But Worth It
For now, McKenzie’s sights are set on continuing to refine her fundamentals, tackle the PRS National Finale, and see where the next season takes her. But her message for other women navigating motherhood and high-level competition is clear:
“It’s hard, but it’s worth it. Give yourself grace, make time for self-care, and know that competing through pregnancy and postpartum is an accomplishment in itself.”
Her 2nd-place finish at Worlds is more than a podium spot, it’s proof that perseverance, community, and passion can push boundaries. And for McKenzie, this is only the beginning.
Keep an eye on McKenzie’s journey and follow along on Instagram as she continues to balance motherhood, competition, and the pursuit of excellence.
