Mind Games A Human Technology
Feb 17, 2026
Wyatt Woodsmall, an NLP trainer and former Army-associated instructor, brings marksmanship modeling and range coaching. He demonstrates sight-alignment mantras and rapid skill gains. The conversation covers the Army’s 1980s NLP pistol experiments and the surprising link between NLP ideas and the development of EMDR.
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Army Hired NLP For Pistol Training
- Zoe recounts the Army hiring Tony Robbins and NLP trainers to test a rapid pistol-training program for recruits.
- Tony claimed 100% pass rates in half the time using NLP-derived methods, though details were informal.
Three-Day Marksmanship Experiment
- Zoe trains with Wyatt Woodsmall using modeled expert routines and a mantra to improve marksmanship.
- After three days she consistently hit bullseyes at 25 yards and qualified as an expert under Army distance standards.
NAS Found NLP Lacked Empirical Support
- The National Academy of Sciences reviewed NLP studies and found little or no empirical support for NLP assumptions or effectiveness.
- They called the Army marksmanship experiment experimentally flawed and unable to yield valid conclusions.